# US 11,439,734 B2 · Breast pump and expression kit for a breast pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,734 B2 - Document ID: US11439734B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/126,093 - Filed: 2015-03-26 - Published: 2017-03-16 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-31 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Arnold Aalders; Roy Emile Beunen; Lauret Francisca Stulemeijer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439734B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/0697: {having means for massaging the breast} - A61M 1/06: Milking pumps - A61M 1/064: {Suction cups} - A61M 1/06935: {imitating the suckling of an infant} - A61M 1/78: {Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems (combined with drainage containers A61M1/60)} - A61M 1/784: {by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves} - A61M 2205/0227: Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase - A61M 2205/10: with powered movement mechanisms - A61M 2205/59: Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients - A61M 2205/70: with testing or calibration facilities - A61M 2205/7518: bacterial - A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes - 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 The present invention relates to an expression kit (2) for a breast pump (1) for extracting breast milk (101) from a human teat (102). The expression kit (2) comprises: a breast pump body (10) comprising a first pressure chamber (11) and a second pressure chamber (21); wherein the first pressure chamber (11) is configured for connection to a pressure unit (30) for generating a in the pressure chamber (11); wherein the second pressure chamber (21) comprises a breast-receiving funnel (22), a milk outlet (23) and a milk path (24) from the breast-receiving funnel (22) to the milk outlet (23); and wherein the first and the second pressure (11, 21) chamber are separated by a breathable membrane (50), which is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable, for separating the first pressure chamber (11) from liquid in the milk path (24), wherein the breathable membrane (50) is a hydrophobic membrane. Further, the present invention relates to a breast pump (1). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An expression kit for a breast pump for extracting breast milk from a human teat, the expression kit comprising: a breast pump body comprising a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber adjacent the first pressure chamber; a hydrophobic breathable membrane separating the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, the hydrophobic breathable membrane comprising a hybrid membrane structure comprising both a woven layer and a non-woven layer, the woven layer being liquid-impermeable, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is configured to exchange gas between the first and second pressure chambers and to repel liquid for separating the first pressure chamber from liquid in a milk path, while maintaining a gas volume flow between the first and second pressure chambers; and a restrictor for reducing a surface area of the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is a bacteria-retentive hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 2, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is bacteria-retentive in an aerosol environment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane comprises a hydrophobic backing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is configured to exchange gas and repel liquid in both directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the hydrophobic breathable membrane is arranged at an angle with respect to a milk outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane comprises one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure for supporting the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising a seal arranged between the hydrophobic breathable membrane and the breast pump body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising a wear indicator for indicating a wear of the expression kit, in particular of the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising a splash guard arranged between the milk path and the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber is configured to enable access to the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A breast pump for extracting breast milk from a human teat, the breast pump comprising: the expression kit according to claim 1, and a pressure unit for generating a pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the first pressure chamber is configured for connection to a pressure unit for generating a pressure in the first pressure chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure chamber comprises a breast-receiving funnel, a milk outlet and the milk path from the breast-receiving funnel to the milk outlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The expression kit for a breast pump according to claim 1, wherein the non-woven layer is bacteria retentive in an aerosol environment. ### Claim 17 An expression kit for a breast pump for extracting breast milk from a human teat, the expression kit comprising: a breast pump body comprising a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber; a hydrophobic breathable membrane separating the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, the hydrophobic breathable membrane comprising a hybrid membrane structure comprising both a woven layer and a non-woven layer, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable when in contact with a liquid in a milk path, thereby separating the first pressure chamber from the liquid in the milk path while continuing to exchange gas with the second pressure chamber, wherein the woven layer is liquid-impermeable; and a restrictor for reducing a surface area of the hydrophobic breathable membrane. ### Claim 18 An expression kit for a breast pump for extracting breast milk from a human teat, the expression kit comprising: a breast pump body comprising a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber; a hydrophobic breathable membrane separating the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, the hydrophobic breathable membrane comprising a hybrid membrane structure comprising both a woven layer and a non-woven layer, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable for separating the first pressure chamber from liquid in a milk path, wherein the woven layer faces the second pressure chamber, and the non-woven layer faces the first pressure chamber, wherein the hydrophobic breathable membrane is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable for separating the first pressure chamber from liquid in the milk path; and a restrictor for reducing a surface area of the hydrophobic breathable membrane.