# US 2013/0158394 A1 · Devices, Systems and Methods to Detect and Reduce or Prevent Entry of Inflammatory Mediators into Milk Ducts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158394 A1 - Document ID: US20130158394A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/522,324 - Filed: 2011-01-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-14 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of California - Inventors: Sylvia Hon; Anahitta Khosraviani; Amar Miglani; David Brandon Smith; Lanping Amy Sung; Geert W. Schmid-Schonbein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158394A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/0091: {for mammography} - A61B 5/0071: {by measuring fluorescence emission} - A61B 10/0041: {Detection of breast cancer (mammography by transillumination A61B5/0091, by X-rays A61B6/502, by ultrasonic means A61B8/0825)} - A61F 5/37: Restraining devices for the body or for body parts; Restraining shirts - A61K 49/0034: {Indocyanine green, i.e. ICG, cardiogreen} - A61M 31/00: Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body (A61M25/00 takes precedence {; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008}) - G01N 33/57515: of the breast - A61B 5/4312: {Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis (optical mammography A61B5/0091)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - 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)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for measurement and reduction or prevention of fluid movement in lactiferous ducts, detection of diseased conditions in the breasts, and treatments thereof. Such techniques, methods and devices are applicable to a variety of conditions including carcinomas. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for detecting assessing and promoting breast health through an open lactiferous duct, the method comprising: exposing a nipple to a fluid containing a contrast medium; allowing passage of an elapsed period of time; and detecting the presence of the contrast medium in the lactiferous duct in order to determine if the lactiferous duct is open. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein if the lactiferous duct is determined to be open, further comprising: collecting a sample of fluid from the lactiferous duct. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: assessing the presence of tumor cells within the collected sample of fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein if tumor cells are detected, further comprising: introducing anti-tumor compounds into the lactiferous duct. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein if tumor cells are not detected, further comprising: preventing further fluid flow into the lactiferous duct. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, the preventing fluid flow step comprises: sealing the lactiferous duct with glue. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, the preventing fluid flow step comprises: sealing the lactiferous duct via suture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, the preventing fluid flow step comprises: sealing the lactiferous duct via a cap. ### Claim 9 A milk duct cap comprising: a concave thimble-like inner portion adapted to position over a nipple of a breast; and an outer rim extending from the concave inner portion; wherein the outer rim portion contains an adhesive to adhere to an areola of the breast. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The milk duct cap of claim 9, wherein an interior portion of the inner portion contains a non-soluble sealant coating which comes into contact with the nipple. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The milk duct cap of claim 9, wherein an interior portion of the inner portion contains a diagnostic coating which comes into contact with the nipple. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The milk duct cap of claim 9, wherein an interior portion of the inner portion contains a growth factor coating which comes into contact with the nipple. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The milk duct cap of claim 9, wherein an interior portion of the inner portion contains an anti-inflammatory coating which comes into contact with the nipple. ### Claim 14 A system for introducing a therapeutic into a nipple of a breast and then detecting the presence of the therapeutic, the system comprising: a container having a rim, wherein the rim fits snugly around a nipple and areolar portion of a breast; the container further including a liquid therapeutic within its interior when the container is attached to the areolar portion such that the liquid therapeutic comes into direct contact with the nipple to allow the liquid therapeutic to enter the nipple through milk ducts; and an imaging system to detect the presence of the liquid therapeutic within the nipple and measure its concentration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the liquid therapeutic is coupled with a marker. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the marker is indocyanine green. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the rim of the container forms a seal when in contact with the breast. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the seal is maintained with a temporary body adhesive. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the imaging system components which can detect near infrared images. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the imaging system components which can detect indocyanine green.