US 11,806,453 B2
Apparatus and methods to create posterior compression at the breast during expression of breast milk
Jeffery B. Alvarez, Redwood City, CA (US); and Polina A. Segalova, Redwood City, CA (US)
Assigned to Willow Innovations, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by WILLOW INNOVATIONS, INC., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 23, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/661,214.
Application 16/661,214 is a continuation of application No. 15/349,917, filed on Nov. 11, 2016, granted, now 10,485,908.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/255,241, filed on Nov. 13, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0054805 A1, Feb. 20, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 1/06 (2006.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 1/06 (2013.01) [A61M 1/064 (2014.02); A61M 1/06935 (2021.05); A61M 1/82 (2021.05)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for expression of breast milk from a breast, the device comprising:
a breast interface comprising a flange configured to engage the breast and fluidly seal thereagainst; and
an actuatable assembly operably coupled to the breast interface and configured to generate negative pressure at the breast interface when actuated,
wherein the flange comprises a movable member configured to engage an anterior portion of the breast and a posterior portion of the breast when the breast is fluidly sealed against the flange,
wherein the movable member is substantially rigid and configured to apply anterior compression to an anterior portion of the breast in response to generation of negative pressure at the breast interface, and
wherein the movable member is configured to move in response to anterior compression of the breast against the movable member, to subsequently apply posterior compression to a posterior portion of the breast with the movable member.