Method and apparatus for minimum negative pressure control, particularly for a breastpump with breastshield pressure control system

US8070716B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MEDELA HOLDING AG · CH

Inventors

• Thomas A. Sutrina · Rockford, US
• Michael Dettling · Woodstock, US
• Mark A. Luzbetak · Kildeer, US
• Brian H. Silver · Cary, US
• Carr Lane Quackenbush · Monson, US
• Leon Mitoulas · Baar, CH
• Peter Hartmann · Midland, AU
• Donna T. Geddes
• Jacqueline C. Kent · Perth, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2011
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2205/075
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A breastpump, manual or motorized, that includes a mechanism to regulate pressure change, e.g., vacuum, within a breastshield chamber, including in some cases to a maintained minimum pressure that is less than ambient (atmosphere). The pressure regulator provides control for varying negative pressure between a minimum value and a maximum value (and values in between), or to achieve a specific actually measured negative pressure value within a breastshield.