# US 11,298,445 B2 · Breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus

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- Number: US 11,298,445 B2
- Document ID: US11298445B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/243,996
- Filed: 2019-01-09
- Published: 2019-07-11
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-09
- Assignees: Moxxly, Inc.
- Applicants: Moxxly LLC
- Inventors: Santhi Analytis; Wisit Jirattigalachote; Jacob Kurzrock
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298445B2

## CPC

- A61M 1/06: Milking pumps
- A61M 1/062: {Pump accessories}
- A61M 1/06935: {imitating the suckling of an infant}
- A61M 39/22: Valves or arrangement of valves {(A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405)}
- A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means
- A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate
- A61M 2205/3576: with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus for accurately assessing both a flow rate and amount of milk expressed during a pumping session is provided. The breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus may be contained within a breast pump.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A breast pump, comprising:
a manifold;
a drain including a connector which allows the drain to connect to the manifold or disconnect from the manifold, the drain including a droplet forming spout;
a sensor disposed under the droplet forming spout, wherein the sensor detects droplets of milk released from the spout.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a flange connectable to the manifold, wherein a sensor is disposed in the manifold.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed below the drain, wherein the sensor is disposed between the manifold and the valve in the breast pump.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed below the drain, wherein the sensor is disposed below the valve in the breast pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, wherein the manifold includes a flexible portion and, wherein a sensor is disposed at the flexible portion of the manifold.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising one or more processors receiving sensor data from the sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The breast pump of claim 6, wherein one of the one or more processors is disposed in one of the manifold, a collection container, and a mobile device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, wherein the spout forms droplets with a diameter between 3 millimeters and 6 millimeters.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed at least two droplet diameter lengths below the spout.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, wherein sensor data is transmitted to a mobile device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a lens, wherein the lens is toroidal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The breast pump of claim 11, wherein an outside surface of the toroidal lens is reflective.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a lens, wherein the lens is circular.

### Claim 14

A breast pump, comprising:
a drain apparatus, connectable to a manifold, and including a droplet forming spout;
a sensor, connectable to the drain apparatus, and disposed under the droplet forming spout, wherein the sensor detects droplets of milk released from the spout.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The breast pump of claim 14, wherein the breast pump further includes a valve and a collection apparatus and wherein the valve connects to the collection apparatus.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The breast pump of claim 15, wherein the collection apparatus connects to the manifold such that the drain apparatus, the sensor, and the valve are disposed within the breast pump.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The breast pump of claim 16, wherein the manifold further connects to a flange.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The breast pump of claim 17, wherein the manifold includes a tubing adapter.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The breast pump of claim 18, further comprising a lens associated with the sensor, wherein the lens is one of a circular lens and a toroidal lens.