U.S. patent application number 15/942847 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for electrical breast pump and system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ameda, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Ameda, Inc.. Invention is credited to Terry CHUNG, Jeremy Patrick EVANS, David Shao LING, Jordan LINN, Joshua STOIA.
Application Number | 20180236148 15/942847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57397423 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180236148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EVANS; Jeremy Patrick ; et
al. |
August 23, 2018 |
ELECTRICAL BREAST PUMP AND SYSTEM
Abstract
An electrical breast pump may include a permanently unobstructed
continuous passageway across the diaphragm and a rolling diaphragm
that is movable between a vent orientation and a vacuum
orientation, or a vent piston configured to actuate a closure
between a vent orientation and a vacuum orientation so that a
pressure chamber is selectively in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure.
Inventors: |
EVANS; Jeremy Patrick;
(Vernon Hills, IL) ; CHUNG; Terry; (Kildeer,
IL) ; LINN; Jordan; (Palatine, IL) ; LING;
David Shao; (Vernon Hills, IL) ; STOIA; Joshua;
(Wheeling, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ameda, Inc. |
Buffalo Grove |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ameda, Inc.
Buffalo Grove
IL
|
Family ID: |
57397423 |
Appl. No.: |
15/942847 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14725739 |
May 29, 2015 |
9931449 |
|
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15942847 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/06 20130101; A61M
1/0031 20130101; A61M 1/0068 20140204 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/06 20060101
A61M001/06; A61M 1/00 20060101 A61M001/00 |
Claims
1. A breast pump assembly comprising: a housing assembly including
a piston housing and a drive housing having an opening in direct
communication with atmospheric pressure; a piston assembly
including a vent piston and a drive piston, the vent piston having
a top wall and a channel defined by the top wall, a side wall and a
center post where a vent is defined to extend through the side wall
in communication with the channel; a rolling diaphragm including an
outer end, an outer margin disposed adjacent the outer end, where
both of the outer end and outer margin are sealingly captured
between the piston housing and the drive housing, an inner end, and
an inner margin disposed adjacent the inner end, where the inner
margin is sealingly captured between the vent piston and the drive
piston to cooperatively define a pressure chamber between the
diaphragm, piston housing and vent piston; and a permanently
unobstructed continuous passageway across the diaphragm that is
disposed at atmospheric pressure defined by the vent in direct
communication with the channel, wherein the diaphragm is movable
between a vacuum orientation and a vent orientation in response to
cyclic movement of the piston assembly, such that the vacuum
orientation is defined when an outer opening of the vent is sealed
by the diaphragm, and the vent orientation is defined when the
outer opening of the vent is uncovered by the diaphragm so that the
pressure chamber is in direct communication with atmospheric
pressure via the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway
across the diaphragm, and wherein the diaphragm is disposed in the
vent orientation between 15% and 60% of each cycle of the piston
assembly.
2. The breast pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel in
direct communication with a portion of the inner end that is spaced
from the center post.
3. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the portion is
defined by the inner end having a crenelated contour.
4. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein a plurality of ribs
extend from the center post to engage the inner end.
5. The breast pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the center post has
a recess formed over a section adjacent the inner end.
6. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the vent piston
includes a projection extending from the side wall into contact
with the drive piston such that the portion engages the
projection.
7. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the vent piston
includes a projection extending from the side wall into contact
with the drive piston such that the inner edge engages the
projection.
8. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the drive piston
includes an extension that projects from the top wall into contact
with the vent piston such that the portion engages the
extension.
9. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the drive piston
includes an extension that projects from the top wall into contact
with the vent piston such that the inner edge engages the
extension.
10. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein an insert is
disposed between the drive piston and the vent piston such that the
portion engages the insert.
11. The breast pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the an insert is
disposed between the drive piston and the vent piston such that the
inner edge engages the insert.
12. The breast pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive piston
having a top wall with a vent passage defined therethrough.
13. The breast pump assembly of claim 12, wherein the vent passage
is in direct communication with the inner end portion and the
opening.
14. The breast pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the center post is
a hollow center post and a second vent is defined to extend through
a wall of the center post into the hollow.
15. The breast pump assembly of claim 14, wherein the drive piston
has a hollow center post with a vent passage defined therethrough,
where the hollow center posts of the vent piston and the drive
piston are longitudinally aligned in registration and sealingly
connected.
16. The breast pump assembly of claim 15, wherein the inner end
that circumferentially engages the center post.
17. The breast pump assembly of claim 16, wherein the channel is in
direct communication with the second vent, the second vent in
direct communication with the hollow of the center post of the vent
piston, the hollow of the center post of the vent piston in direct
communication with the hollow of the center post of the drive
piston, and the vent passage in direct communication with the
hollow of the center post of the drive piston and the opening.
18. A breast pump assembly comprising: a housing assembly including
a piston housing and a drive housing, the piston housing having a
vent passage in direct communication with atmospheric pressure and
a closure movably connected to the piston housing that is
configured to selectively seal the vent passage; a piston assembly
including a vent piston and a drive piston, the vent piston
configured to actuate the closure between a vent orientation and a
vacuum orientation; a rolling diaphragm including an outer end, an
outer margin disposed adjacent the outer end, where both of the
outer end and outer margin are sealingly captured between the
piston housing and the drive housing, an inner end, and an inner
margin disposed adjacent the inner end, where the inner margin is
sealingly captured between the vent piston and the drive piston to
cooperatively define a pressure chamber between the diaphragm,
piston housing and vent piston, wherein the vent orientation is
defined when the vent piston actuates the closure to open the vent
passage so that the pressure chamber is in direct communication
with atmospheric pressure and the vacuum orientation is defined
when the vent piston is disengaged from the closure, and wherein
the diaphragm is disposed in the vent orientation between 15% and
60% of each cycle of the piston assembly.
19. A breast pump assembly comprising: a housing assembly including
a piston housing and a drive housing; a piston assembly disposed
within the housing assembly, the piston assembly including a vent
piston and a drive piston; a rolling diaphragm including an outer
end, an outer margin disposed adjacent the outer end, where both of
the outer end and outer margin are sealingly captured between the
piston housing and the drive housing, an inner end, and an inner
margin disposed adjacent the inner end, where the inner margin is
sealingly captured between the vent piston and the drive piston to
cooperatively define a pressure chamber between the diaphragm,
piston housing and vent piston; and a vent passage in communication
with the pressure chamber and atmospheric pressure, wherein the
vent passage is selectively sealed to define a vacuum orientation
and a vent orientation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application that claims
priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/725,739, filed on May 29, 2015, the disclosure of which
is fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to electrical
breast pumps and electrical breast pump systems. More particularly,
the present disclosure relates to a simple electrical breast pump
and electrical breast pump system for extracting milk from a human
breast that quickly attains a desired setting.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Most prior art breast pumps designed for extracting milk are
concerned only with controlling the rate at which a negative
pressure is applied to the breast and, in some cases, the amount of
negative or vacuum pressure. However, the amount of milk volume
obtained in response to a constant average suction is quite low
compared to that obtained by a suckling infant.
[0004] Recently, breast pump systems have been introduced that use
a constantly running positive displacement vacuum pump, sense and
monitor the negative pressure or vacuum and open a valve in
response to the sensed vacuum in excess of the vacuum limit in
order to decrease the vacuum to a desired point. Such systems are
complex, which reduces reliability, and costly, which discourages
breast feeding.
[0005] Other conventional breast pump systems, see FIGS. 3 and 4,
include a pump assembly 10 having a reciprocating piston assembly
20 driven by a reversible motor 14.
[0006] A rolling diaphragm 22 is connected via circumferential
tension at an inner end 24 to a center post 26 of the piston
assembly 20 and at an outer end 28 captured between the piston
housing 30 and the drive housing 32. The vent piston 34 includes,
in FIG. 3, a vent 36 formed as a bore that extends from a distal
end 38 (at the top wall 37) to a proximal end 40 disposed adjacent
the lower end of a side wall 42 of the vent piston 34, and in FIG.
4, a vent 36 formed as a bore that extends through a side wall 42
of the vent piston 34 to a channel 44 formed around the center post
26. Both the vents 36 enable the pressure chamber 46 to communicate
with a portion 48 of the diaphragm 22 adjacent to connection to the
center post 26.
[0007] In theory, it was thought and desired that the portion 48
would overcome the circumferential tension when a slight positive
pressure was generated in the pressure chamber 46 when the vent
piston 34 was disposed adjacent a port formed in an end wall of the
piston housing 30 (e.g., near maximum extension) and move or
deflect in the direction of the threaded piston 50 to facilitate
defining an intermittent passage to atmosphere every time the vent
piston 34 reached near maximum extension from the drive screw 52.
However, it was discovered through testing and operation that the
portion 48 was not consistently moving or deflecting as desired and
that the portion 48 was not moving at maximum extension of the
piston assembly 20 in response to the slight positive pressure
present in the pressure chamber 46 and/or the portion 48 was moving
near the beginning of a vacuum retraction pull by the piston
assembly 20 (in an opposite direction from what was desired) so
that the desired vacuum is not achieved. In other words, the breast
pump system was too closed or only somewhat intermittently openable
to atmosphere resulting in painful constant increasing vacuum
profiles or under vacuum profiles that take a considerable time to
operate properly, raising distrust as to proper operation. As a
result, the conventional breast pump system took on average at
least 20-30 seconds to reach a consistent steady state pressure or
vacuum recovery profile. Sometimes it would take longer and still
further sometimes it would never reach the desired consistent
steady state vacuum recovery profile.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a graph of pressure versus time, illustrating the
conventional prior art breast pump system (as conceptually shown in
FIG. 1 and including as pump assembly as shown in either FIG. 3 or
FIG. 4) vacuum recovery profile. One will note that in concept
nearly any breast pump system includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a pump
assembly housing 54 (with the pump assembly 10 disposed within, but
not shown in this FIG. 1), a pair of collection units 56 each
connected via tubing to a single port of the pump assembly and
including breast flanges 58. As shown in FIG. 5, neither of the
flanges 58 experiences a quick vacuum recovery profile from a 0 mm
Hg reading (i.e., atmospheric pressure), where the desired vacuum
profile smoothly oscillates between 0 mm Hg and 200 mm Hg (for this
testing purpose only, in practice the maximum vacuum is selectable
by the user). Rather, one flange 58 experiences a weak but steadily
increasing vacuum profile (i.e., the lower trace 60) and the other
flange 58 experiences a weak, barely increasing vacuum profile
(i.e., the upper trace 62). Usually, the lower trace 60 may
stabilize at the desired or called for 200 mm Hg and the upper
trace 62 will eventually match the vacuum recovery profile of the
lower trace 60. However, a significant disadvantage is the
discomfort of the nursing mother that discourages her from breast
feeding with the unnecessary complications. Further, it has been
commonly observed that the lower trace 60 and/or both traces 60, 62
may actually continue to increase the amount of vacuum until
reaching a painful level (e.g., approximately 250-270 mm Hg) where
the nursing mother must rest operation of the prior art device by
deactivating the pump assembly and removing the flange. Thereafter,
the entire process must start over, which most likely is a repeat
of the vacuum recovery profile as shown in FIG. 5. Another
situation where a quick vacuum recovery profile is desired is when
there is an intermittent leak in the system. Obvious disadvantages
are not only the discomfort and possible pain, but also the time
delays and frustration and distrust with faulty operation.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need in the art for simple, reliable
electrical breast pump and electrical breast pump system that
quickly attains and maintains a desired setting regardless if
starting anew, after a break or as a result of a system leak and
that overcomes the disadvantages of the complex and unreliable
prior art systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The disclosure will be more readily understood in view of
the following description when accompanied by the below figures and
wherein like reference numerals represent the elements,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
an electrical breast pump system the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a
pump assembly of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of one embodiment of
a pump assembly of a prior art electrical breast pump.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of a pump assembly of a prior art electrical breast
pump.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a graph of pressure versus time, illustrating a
prior art breast pump system vacuum recovery profile.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view of the pump assembly
of FIG. 2 disposed in a vent orientation.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the pump assembly
of FIG. 2 disposed in a vacuum orientation.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a graph of pressure versus time, illustrating a
breast pump system vacuum recovery profile for one embodiment of
the pump assembly of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a graph of a pressure versus time, illustrating a
breast pump system vacuum recovery profile for one embodiment of
the pump assembly of the present disclosure with an annotated
piston assembly cycle.
[0020] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate respective cross-section and
bottom views of another embodiment of a diaphragm for a piston
assembly of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIGS. 11A through 11I illustrate cross-section views of
other embodiments of the piston assembly of the present
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of piston assembly of the present disclosure including a
drive screw having a bore.
[0023] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate cross-section views of
embodiments of a dynamic vent for the pump assembly of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood
by reference to the provided detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing description,
abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated
headings. Identical reference numerals when found on different
figures identify the same elements or a functionally equivalent
element. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but
nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed
description and associated disclosure.
[0025] Generally, an electrical breast pump as disclosed herein may
include a permanently unobstructed continuous passageway that is
disposed at atmospheric pressure and defined across a rolling
diaphragm that is movable between a vent orientation and a vacuum
orientation, or a vent piston configured to actuate a closure
between a vent orientation and a vacuum orientation so that a
pressure chamber is selectively in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure.
[0026] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical
breast pump may include a housing assembly having a piston housing
and a drive housing having an opening in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure. A piston assembly may include a vent piston
and a drive piston. The vent piston has a top wall, a channel
defined by the top wall, a side wall and a center post, and a vent
defined to extend through the side wall in communication with the
channel. The drive piston having a top wall with a vent passage
defined therethrough. A rolling diaphragm may include an outer end,
an outer margin disposed adjacent the outer end. The outer end and
outer margin are sealingly captured between the piston housing and
the drive housing. An inner end and an inner margin disposed
adjacent the inner end are sealingly captured between the vent
piston and the drive piston to cooperatively define a pressure
chamber between the diaphragm, piston housing and vent piston. A
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway across the diaphragm
that is disposed at atmospheric pressure is defined by the vent,
the channel, the inner end that is spaced from the center post, the
vent passage and the opening. The diaphragm is movable between a
vacuum orientation and a vent orientation in response to cyclic
movement of the piston assembly. The vacuum orientation is defined
when an outer opening of the vent is sealed by the diaphragm, and
the vent orientation is defined when the outer opening of the vent
is uncovered by the diaphragm so that the pressure chamber is in
direct communication with atmospheric pressure via the permanently
unobstructed continuous passageway across the diaphragm.
[0027] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the portion is
the entirety of the inner end or is defined by the inner end having
a crenelated contour. In another aspect, a plurality of ribs may
extend from the center post to engage the inner end, or the center
post may have a recess formed over a section adjacent the inner
end. In yet another aspect, the vent piston may include a
projection extending from the side wall into contact with the drive
piston such that the portion engages the projection, or such that
the inner edge engages the projection. In still another aspect, the
drive piston may include an extension that projects from the top
wall into contact with the vent piston such that the portion
engages the extension, or such that the inner edge engages the
extension. In a further aspect, an insert is disposed between the
drive piston and the vent piston such that the portion engages the
insert, or such that the inner edge engages the insert.
[0028] In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a
breast pump assembly may include a housing assembly including a
piston housing and a drive housing having an opening in direct
communication with atmospheric pressure. A piston assembly may
include a vent piston and a drive piston. The vent piston may have
a top wall and a channel defined by the top wall, a side wall, a
hollow center post, a vent defined to extend through the side wall
in communication with the channel, and a second vent defined to
extend through a wall of the center post into the hollow. The drive
piston may have a hollow center post with a vent passage defined
therethrough so that the hollow center posts of the vent piston and
the drive piston are longitudinally aligned in registration and
sealingly connected. A rolling diaphragm may include an outer end,
and an outer margin disposed adjacent the outer end that are
sealingly captured between the piston housing and the drive
housing. The diaphragm may also include an inner end
circumferentially engages the center post, and an inner margin
disposed adjacent the inner end is sealingly captured between the
vent piston and the drive piston to cooperatively define a pressure
chamber between the diaphragm, piston housing and vent piston. A
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway across the diaphragm
that is disposed at atmospheric pressure may be defined by the
vent, the channel, the second vent, the hollow of the center post
of the vent piston, the hollow of the center post of the drive
piston, the vent passage and the opening. The diaphragm is movable
between a vacuum orientation and a vent orientation in response to
cyclic movement of the piston assembly, such that the vacuum
orientation is defined when an outer opening of the vent is sealed
by the diaphragm, and the vent orientation is defined when the
outer opening of the vent is uncovered by the diaphragm so that the
pressure chamber is in direct communication with atmospheric
pressure via the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway
across the diaphragm.
[0029] In another still further aspect of the present disclosure, a
breast pump assembly may include a housing assembly having a piston
housing having a vent passage in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure and a closure movably connected to the piston
housing that is configured to selectively seal the vent passage,
and a drive housing. A piston assembly may include a vent piston
configured to actuate the closure between a vent orientation and a
vacuum orientation, and a drive piston. A rolling diaphragm may
include an outer end, and an outer margin disposed adjacent the
outer end that are sealingly captured between the piston housing
and the drive housing. The diaphragm may also include an inner end
and an inner margin that is sealingly captured between the vent
piston and the drive piston to cooperatively define a pressure
chamber between the diaphragm, piston housing and vent piston. The
vent orientation is defined when the vent piston actuates the
closure to open the vent passage so that the pressure chamber is in
direct communication with atmospheric pressure and the vacuum
orientation is defined when the vent piston is disengaged from the
closure.
[0030] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the diaphragm
may be disposed in the vent orientation between approximately 0.1
seconds and 1.2 seconds of each cycle of the piston assembly,
depending on the speed setting or the extent of the longitudinal
displacement of the piston assembly. In yet another aspect, the
diaphragm may be disposed in the vent orientation between
approximately 15% to 60% of each cycle of the piston assembly,
depending on the speed setting or the extent of the longitudinal
displacement of the piston assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the
diaphragm is disposed in the vent orientation between 0.2 seconds
and 1.0 second, or between approximately 20% and 50% of each cycle
of the piston assembly, depending on the speed setting or the
extent of the longitudinal displacement of the piston assembly.
[0031] FIGS. 2 and 6-13 show various different embodiments of an
electrical breast pump assembly 100 that may include a permanently
unobstructed continuous passageway that is disposed at atmospheric
pressure and defined across a rolling diaphragm 122 that is movable
between a vent orientation (FIG. 6) and a vacuum orientation (FIG.
7), or a vent piston 134 configured to actuate a closure between a
vent orientation and a vacuum orientation so that a pressure
chamber 146 is selectively in direct communication with atmospheric
pressure 102.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a
pump assembly 100 of the present disclosure. A housing assembly 129
may include a piston housing 130 and a drive housing 132. The
piston housing 130 may include a flange 231 and a sidewall 233 have
an exterior surface contour that is different from an interior
surface contour. The exterior surface contour has a substantially
linear taper from the flange to an end wall 235. The interior
surface contour has a first component that is spaced from a piston
assembly 120 sufficiently to allow a rolling diaphragm 122 to
complete a one hundred eighty degree bend and accumulate in such
space and a second component that is disposed in close proximity to
a vent piston 134 to facilitate alignment and constrained movement
thereof. Both of the first and second components have a slight
taper or draft to facilitate removal from the mold, being
preferable formed from plastic, synthetic, polymer, composite, etc.
or the like types of materials. A single port 236 is preferable
defined in the end wall 235. However, it is within the teachings of
the present disclosure that multiple ports may be defined in the
end wall 235. The drive housing 132 may include a flange 237 and a
sidewall 238 having an opening 239 in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure 102. The flanges 231 and 237 preferably
cooperatively engage to sealingly capture an outer end 128 of the
diaphragm 122 therebetween.
[0033] A piston assembly 120 in one embodiment may include at least
a vent piston 134 and a drive piston 150 securely connected
together such as by mechanical fastener, adhesive, welding, other
connection techniques, etc. or the like. The vent piston 134 may
have a top wall 137 and a channel 144 defined by the top wall 137,
a side wall 142 and a center post 126, such that the channel 144 is
configured generally as an annular channel about the center post
126. Preferably, a vent 136 is defined as a bore or passageway that
extends through the side wall 142 so that it is in direct
communication with the channel 144. The drive piston 150 may have a
top wall 251 with a vent passage 252 defined therethrough and a
center post 253 having a proximal end (i.e., opposite the top wall
251) with an interior surface configured complementarily to engage
a drive screw 152 such that rotation of the drive screw 152 by the
reversible motor 140 selectively cyclically moves the piston
assembly 120 in an oscillating movement from a start position where
the vent piston 134 is disposed adjacent the end wall 235 to an
adjustably selectable end position where the vent piston 134 is
disposed at a desired extent from the end wall 235 in order to
generate a pre-selected amount of vacuum pressure and then back to
the start position to define a single cycle or piston stroke for
which there is a corresponding vacuum profile curve. The piston
assembly 120 is preferably formed from plastic, synthetic, polymer,
composite, etc. or the like types of materials.
[0034] A rolling diaphragm 122 may include an outer end 128, an
outer margin 223 disposed adjacent the outer end 128. It is within
the teachings of the present disclosure that the outer margin 223
is configured as an area generally bounded by the outer end 128 and
extending annularly toward an inner end 224 a sufficient distance
in order to facilitate the desired functionality as described
herein. One of skill in the art may recognize such configuration as
generally rim- or ring-shaped. In one preferred embodiment, both of
the outer end 128 and outer margin 223 are sealingly captured
between the piston housing 130 and the drive housing 132. The
diaphragm 122 may also include an inner end 224 and an inner margin
225 disposed adjacent the inner end 224. It is within the teachings
of the present disclosure that the inner margin 225 is configured
as an area generally bounded by the inner end 224 and extending
annularly toward the outer end 128 a sufficient distance in order
to facilitate the desired functionality as described herein. One of
skill in the art may recognize such configuration as generally rim-
or ring-shaped. In one embodiment, the inner margin 225 is
sealingly captured between the vent piston 134 and the drive piston
150 to secure the diaphragm 122 in position and to cooperatively
define a pressure chamber 146 as a volume between the diaphragm
122, piston housing 130 and vent piston 134. The diaphragm 122 is
preferably formed from synthetic, polymer, rubber, latex,
composite, etc. or the like types of materials.
[0035] A permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across
the diaphragm 122 that is disposed at atmospheric pressure (since
it is open to atmospheric pressure 102 at one end) is defined by
the vent 136 which is in direct communication with the channel 144
which is in direct communication with a portion 226 of the inner
end 224 that is spaced from the center post 126 which is in direct
communication with the vent passage 252 which is in direct
communication with the opening 239.
[0036] The diaphragm 122 is movable between a vacuum orientation
(see FIG. 7 which illustrates a cross-section view of the pump
assembly of FIG. 2 disposed in a vacuum orientation) and a vent
orientation (see FIG. 6 which illustrates a cross-section view of
the pump assembly of FIG. 2 disposed in a vent orientation) in
response to cyclic reciprocating movement of the piston assembly
120 by completing, on each cycle, a one hundred eighty degree bend
and accumulating (by rolling the diaphragm 122) in the space
defined by the first component of the inner surface of the piston
housing 130, such that the vacuum orientation is defined when an
outer opening 236 of the vent 136 is sealed (i.e., covered by or
contiguous with the diaphragm so as to isolate the pressure chamber
146 on one side of the diaphragm from the permanently unobstructed
continuous passageway 300 that extends across the diaphragm 122) by
the rolled diaphragm 122 (see FIG. 7), and the vent orientation is
defined when the outer opening 236 of the vent 136 is uncovered by
the substantially unrolled diaphragm 122 so that the pressure
chamber 146 is in direct communication with atmospheric pressure
102 via the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300
across the diaphragm 122. It will be recognized by one of skill in
the art that when the pressure chamber 146 is at atmospheric
pressure 102, the remainder of the breast pump system will also be
disposed at atmospheric pressure (i.e., tubing, collection units
56, breast flanges 58, etc.), which creates a pleasing sensation to
the user, which is akin to a suckling infant.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a graph of pressure versus time, illustrating a
breast pump system vacuum recovery profile for one embodiment of
the pump assembly 100 of the present disclosure. The two vacuum
profile traces (i.e., for flange 58 vacuum left and flange 58
vacuum right) are nearly indistinguishable. One of skill in the art
will recognize that this system is operating equivalently on both
sides. Additionally, the maximum intended or desired vacuum (i.e.,
-200 mm Hg) for this test example only is reached immediately
(i.e., in less than two complete cycles and less than 2 seconds).
Furthermore, the maximum intended or desired vacuum is maintained
at the constant level and the entire system is reset to atmospheric
pressure on every cycle.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a graph of a pressure versus time, illustrating a
breast pump system vacuum recovery profile for one embodiment of
the pump assembly 100 of the present disclosure with an annotated
piston assembly cycle. The first phase of the piston assembly 120
cycle is where the breast pump system is open to atmospheric
pressure 102 across the diaphragm. In this disclosure, it is
referred to as the vent orientation (see FIG. 6) where the vent
orientation is defined when the outer opening 336 of the vent 136
is uncovered by the substantially unrolled diaphragm 122 so that
the pressure chamber 146 is in direct communication with
atmospheric pressure 102 via the permanently unobstructed
continuous passageway 300 across the diaphragm 122. In one
preferred embodiment, the diaphragm may be disposed in the vent
orientation (FIG. 6) between approximately 0.1 seconds and 1.2
seconds of each cycle of the piston assembly, depending on the
speed setting or the extent of the longitudinal displacement of the
piston assembly. In yet another aspect, the diaphragm may be
disposed in the vent orientation (FIG. 6) between approximately 15%
to 60% of each cycle of the piston assembly, depending on the speed
setting or the extent of the longitudinal displacement of the
piston assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is
disposed in the vent orientation (FIG. 6) between 0.2 seconds and
1.0 second, or between approximately 20% and 50% of each cycle of
the piston assembly, depending on the speed setting or the extent
of the longitudinal displacement of the piston assembly.
[0039] The second phase of the piston assembly 120 cycle is where
the breast pump system builds a vacuum pressure in the pressure
chamber 146 during a vacuum stroke. After the outer opening 236 of
the vent 136 is sealed or covered by the overlapping diaphragm 122
when rolled, the pressure chamber 146 is no longer open to
atmospheric pressure 102 and subsequent retraction of the piston
assembly 120 from the end wall 235 creates vacuum pressure in the
breast pump system since it is closed at the other end (i.e.,
breast flanges 58 against the breasts of the user) and the volume
is increased. The distance that the piston assembly 120 is moved
away from the end wall 235 correlates to the desired amount of
vacuum that is desired to be generated in the system by the user.
This desired amount is adjustable to the needs of the user.
[0040] The third phase of the piston assembly 120 cycle is where
the breast pump system reduces the vacuum in the pressure chamber
146 during a return stroke. The piston assembly 120 is moved toward
the end wall 235 to reduce the volume of the closed breast pump
system and thereby increase the pressure or decrease the vacuum
pressure present in the breast pump system to the same level as
where the vacuum stroke started.
[0041] Then, the first phase starts again when the diaphragm is
return to the vent orientation and the breast pump system is open
to atmospheric pressure.
[0042] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate respective cross-section and
bottom views of another embodiment of a diaphragm 122 for a piston
assembly of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the inner
end 224 and the inner margin 225 of the diaphragm 122 have been
configured such that the inner end 224 engages the center post 126
of the vent piston 134 and the portion 226 is configured as
openings formed in the inner margin 225, so as to maintain the
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the diaphragm 122. In particular, the inner edge 224
and portion 226 can be described as having a crenelated
configuration and one of skill in the art will recognize that other
similar configurations that provide the same functionality are
within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIGS. 11A through 11I illustrate cross-section views of
other embodiments of the piston assembly 120 of the present
disclosure. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate respective bottom and
cross-section views of another configuration of the piston assembly
120 where the center post 126 of the vent piston 134 includes a
plurality of ribs 324 that extend radially therefrom into the
channel 144 such that the inner end 224 of the diaphragm 122
circumferentially engage the ribs 324 and the portions 226 are
disposed across the gap defined by adjacent ribs 324, so as to
maintain the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300
across the diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein.
Otherwise, the remainder of the structure and functionality of the
pump assembly 100 remains as described herein, when used in
connection with this embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0044] FIG. 11C illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where the center post 126 of the vent piston 134 has a recess 326
formed over a section adjacent the inner end 224, such that the
inner end 224 of the diaphragm circumferentially engages the center
post 126 other than the portion 226 adjacent the recess 326, so as
to maintain the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300
across the diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein.
Otherwise, the remainder of the structure and functionality of the
pump assembly 100 remains as described herein, when used in
connection with this embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0045] FIG. 11D illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where the vent piston 134 include a projection 362 extending from
the side wall 142 into contact with the drive piston 150 such that
the inner end engages the center post 126 other than the portion
226 that engages the projection 362, so as to maintain the
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0046] FIG. 11E illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where the vent piston 134 include a projection 362 extending from
the side wall 142 about the circumference of the vent piston 134
into contact with the drive piston 150 such that the inner edge 224
engages the projection 362, so as to maintain the permanently
unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the diaphragm 122 for
the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the remainder of the
structure and functionality of the pump assembly 100 remains as
described herein, when used in connection with this embodiment of
the piston assembly 120.
[0047] FIG. 11F illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where the drive piston 150 include an extension 364 that projects
from the top wall 251 into contact with the vent piston 134 such
that the inner end 224 engages the center post 126 other than the
portion 226 that engages the extension 364, so as to maintain the
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0048] FIG. 11G illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where the drive piston 150 include an extension 364 that projects
from the top wall 251 about the circumference of the drive piston
150 into contact with the vent piston 134 such that the inner end
224 circumferentially engages the extension 364, so as to maintain
the permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0049] FIG. 11H illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where an insert 366 is disposed between and contiguous with the
vent piston 134 and the drive piston 150 about the circumference of
the vent piston 134 and the drive piston 150 such that the inner
end engages the engages the insert 366, so as to maintain the
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0050] FIG. 11I illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of the piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure,
where an insert 366 is disposed between and contiguous with the
vent piston 134 and the drive piston 150 about a section of the
circumference of the vent piston 134 and the drive piston 150 such
that the inner end engages the center post 126 other than the
portion 226 that engages the insert 366, so as to maintain the
permanently unobstructed continuous passageway 300 across the
diaphragm 122 for the advantages described herein. Otherwise, the
remainder of the structure and functionality of the pump assembly
100 remains as described herein, when used in connection with this
embodiment of the piston assembly 120.
[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section view of another
embodiment of piston assembly 120 of the present disclosure
including the vent piston 134 having a hollow center post 126 where
a second vent 380 is defined to extend through a wall of the center
post 126 into the hollow 127. The drive piston 150 has a hollow
center post 253 with a vent passage 254 defined therethrough.
Preferably, the hollow center posts 126, 254 of the vent piston 134
and the drive piston 150 are longitudinally aligned in registration
and sealingly connected, such that a permanently unobstructed
continuous passageway 300 across the diaphragm 122 that is disposed
at atmospheric pressure defined by the vent 136 in direct
communication with the channel 144 in direct communication with the
second vent 380 in direct communication with the hollow 127 of the
center post 126 of the vent piston 134 direct communication with
the hollow 255 of the center post 253 of the drive piston 150 and
the opening 239. Otherwise, the remainder of the structure and
functionality of the pump assembly 100 remains as described herein,
when used in connection with this embodiment of the piston assembly
120.
[0052] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate cross-section views of
embodiments of a dynamic vent 400 for the pump assembly 100 of the
present disclosure. The vent piston 134 is configured to actuate a
closure 402 between a vent orientation and a vacuum orientation,
wherein the vent orientation is defined when the vent piston 134
actuates the closure 402 to open the vent passage 404 so that the
pressure chamber 146 is in direct communication with atmospheric
pressure 102 and the vacuum orientation is defined when the vent
piston 134 is disengaged from the closure 402. One of skill in the
art will recognize that the closure in this embodiment is
configured as a flap that covers and uncovers an opening based on
movement of the vent piston 134 and a projection or tether
associated with the vent piston 134 and the closure 402, and that
any other suitable structure to facilitate the intended
functionality is within the teachings of the present
disclosure.
[0053] The above detailed description and the examples described
therein have been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description only and not by limitation. It is therefore
contemplated that the present disclosure cover any and all
modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the
spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above
and claimed herein
* * * * *