FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for treatment of a user's breasts, especially for supporting milk expression for lactating women, pre- and post-partum pain relief in the breasts, or for beauty applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chinese publication CN103284874 discloses a thermal pneumatic device for beautifying breast massage. The device comprises a control unit, a vibration device, a gas bag, and a temperature regulating layer including a cooling element and a heating element. The air bag is connected to an air pump and an air discharge valve which are interconnected via a three-way pipe. The different components are arranged in a bra-like structure which can be fixed around a user's torso. A major drawback of this device is the limited amount of functions and limited patient comfort.

KR 2013/0002774 U describes a breast massage device comprising an elastic soft pad. A control unit is provided to control an air pump and valves based on an input signal from a user. The soft pad is contracted and relaxed based on air flow in and out through air supply and discharge pipes so that the breast of the user is massaged by the soft pad to support ejection of milk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for treatment of a user's breast which provides a wider range of functions and increased patient comfort, in particular with respect to different health and beauty aspects.

In a first aspect of the present invention a device for treatment of a user's breast is presented, the device comprising a support structure for fastening the device on the user's torso, a plurality of massage elements arranged on and/or in the support structure, and a control unit for individual or combined activation of one ore more of said massage elements, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of straps with the plurality of massage elements being arranged in and/or on the straps. By way of the combined activation of one or more of a plurality of separate massage elements which are distributed on and/or in the support structure it is possible to improve the functionality of the device for more applications especially with respect to health and medical aid. Known breast massaging devices are designed for beauty massage to improve blood supply to the breasts and improve the skin texture. For medical purposes the massage impact however has to follow different rules. For example, it is not suitable for lactating women to have the whole breasts massaged. Here, zonal massage suits better, which can be achieved by the invention. The form of the support structure comprising a plurality of straps to be fixed around the torso and the breasts is similar to a bra and thus for women easy and comfortable to use.

According to an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the massage elements include water and/or air pads. These pads are easy to manufacture, to integrate in the support structure and to operate.

According to another embodiment the device according to the present invention the massage elements include electrically activated elements, in particular piezo- electrical elements and/or electroactive polymers. Pads of this type can be operated very precisely and do not require a large pump to fill the pads.

Preferably, the massage elements are arranged in at least two groups of two or more massage elements. This helps to apply the massage at exactly the positions where it is necessary and useful for the actual purpose with respect to medical or beauty applications.

Preferably, a first strap at least partially extends around the user's torso, thus fixing the device on the user's chest.

A second strap which can be permanently or removably connected to the first strap extends around a breast of the user. This strap is easy to fasten and can be positioned and tightened individually according to the user's needs or comfort and depending on the user's breast size.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the present invention the support structure comprises a cup with the plurality of massage elements being arranged in and/or on the cup. This embodiment is especially bra-like and thus easy to wear even when leaving the house.

Preferably, the cup at least partially covers the breast to be received therein. There can be an opening for the nipple; alternatively, the cup can be closed to enhance support and comfort of the device. According to another embodiment of the device according to the present invention a temperature treatment pad, in particular a heating or cooling pad, is arranged in and/or on the support structure. Many women enjoy warm or cool treatment of the breasts under special circumstances. For example, premenstrual syndrome often results in hot, painful and swollen breasts which can then be treated with the temperature treatment pad cooled down to a comfortable temperature and thus supports pain relief.

A vibration device can additionally be arranged in and/or on the support structure. Vibrations can support the massage or alternatively can be used instead of the massage if only a better blood supply to the skin is desired.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises a stress level sensor for measuring a stress level signal representing a user's stress level, a breathing sensor for detection of exhalation of the user, a stress level detector for determination of the user's actual stress level and a processing unit for determination of a breathing pace corresponding to the actual stress level. Often lactating women suffer from stress and therefore are not able to effectively extract breast milk. For this purpose a stress relieving function can greatly support the process and make the extraction more effective. Alternatively, the stress relieving function can be used without any massage simply to calm a person down by prolonging the exhalation and thus reduce breathing frequency, which has a calming effect.

The control unit is preferably configured to control the plurality of massage elements to enlarge during exhalation of the user for compression of the thorax of the user. By activating all massage elements simultaneously, the thorax is compressed and the lungs are emptied in prolonged and deeper breathing.

Further, the control unit is advantageously configured to control individual or simultaneous activation of one ore more of said massage elements and/or of the temperature treatment pad and/or of the vibration device. Any function of the device like massage in different parts of the breasts, warming and cooling, also independently for each breast, and vibrational treatments can be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following drawings

Fig. 1 A shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, Fig. IB shows an exploded view of a cup for use in the embodiment shown in

Fig. 1A,

Fig. 1C shows a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of massage elements for use in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 A, and

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 A, a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The device 1 comprises a support structure 2 which is designed to be fastened around the torso of a user of the device 1. The support structure 2 may be formed like a bra and may comprise one or more straps 3 which can be

interconnected to allow easy and secure fitting of the device 1. The suuport structure 2 is preferably made of an inelastic material to achieve an optimal massage function. In this embodiment, a first strap 3a has at least the length of the circumference of a human torso. To allow use by different users with different chest sizes, the first strap 3 a may be elongated and comprise suitable fasteners 4 to allow fitting around torsos of varying size. The fasteners 4 can for example be Velcro band, buttons, snap-fasteners or the like.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 A, the device 1 is a double-sided device 1 which allows simultaneous treatment of both breasts of a user. This is an easy to fit and easy to use embodiment of the invention, but it is likewise possible to design the device 1 in a single-sided version for one breast only. In this case, the user first treats one breast and then changes to the other. The support structure then is designed accordingly. Advantages of the single-sided embodiment would for example be lower costs for the device due to less components and less storage room required.

The support structure 2 comprises further at least one second strap 3b which is attached removably or permanently to the first strap 3 a and which holds at least one cup 5. Said cup 5 can be arranged for example in a loop of the second strap 3b. In case of a double- sided support structure 2 there are two cups 5, whereas for a single-sided device 1 only one cup 5 is present. The cups 5 are fastened to the support structure 2 for example by Velcro, buttons or the like, or alternatively the cups 5 can be permanently integrated in the support structure 2. When the cups 5 are removably fastened to the support structure 2 they can be easily removed for cleaning. On the other hand, permanent integration of the cups 5 into the support structure 2 allows a better fitting to the user's body. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 A the device 1 further comprises a control unit 6 which is positioned on the support structure 2. The parts and the function of the control unit 6 will be described in detail further below. The control unit 6 can be arranged on or integrated in the support structure 2, but in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the control unit 6 can also be a separate component, e.g. as a portable device. The control unit 6 may also be integrated into an existing device, such as a smartphone, for instance in the form of a software application ("app") for remote control. The portable device can then be connected to the device 1. This allows easier use due to the fact that functional features like buttons etc. are better visible and easier to operate by the user.

Turning now to Fig. IB, an exemplary cup 5 according to the embodiment of

Fig. 1A is shown in more detail. The cup 5 comprises a cover 10, a temperature treatment pad 11, a sponge 12, a massage element assembly 13 and a base 14.

The base 14 and the 15 together form a housing for the functional components housed therein. In the embodiment shown in Fig. IB, these components are comprised of the temperature treatment pad 11, which can be used for warming or cooling of the user's breast, and the massage element assembly 13, which is used to exert pressure to the user's breasts for example for improved milk flow for lactating women. The sponge 12 serves as a buffer layer between the temperature treatment pad 11 and the massage element assembly 13 and improves the user's comfort. Of course, the device 1 can also be used for other purposes like stress relief, relief of pre- and post-natal pain in the breasts, painful breasts due to

premenstrual syndrome, or simply for beauty reasons.

The massage element assembly 13 comprises a plurality of massage elements 15, which are preferably arranged in groups 16. Exemplary groups 16 are schematically shown in Fig. 1C. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1C, there are altogether four groups 16 of massage elements 15, with the groups 16 being arranged in a cross shaped manner on the massage element assembly 13.

According to the present invention, the massage elements 15 can generally be activated individually or in arbitrary combinations. This makes it possible to apply the massage in certain patterns to the breasts, for example to improve milk flow.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1C there are eight massage elements 15 grouped in four groups 16 wherein each of the groups 16 comprises two massage elements 15. With this arrangement, several patterns can be achieved. For example it is possible to first activate the radially outer ring of massage elements 15 which are denoted with uneven numbers El, E3, ... in Fig. 1C. After this first activation of the outer massage elements 15 the radially inner massage elements 15 can be activated which are denoted by even numbers E2, E4, ... in Fig. 1C. In this way, a kind of outward focusing massage movement of the breasts towards the nipples can be realized. Another possibility would be to activate the massage elements 15 in a predetermined order, for example first El, followed by E3, E5 and E7. After the first circle the radially inward massage elements 15 are activated again in a sequentially manner starting with E2 over E4, E6 to E8. Any other pattern is also possible.

According to one embodiment, the massage elements 15 may be water pads or air pads which are connected to a filling device (not shown) which charges the pads with either water or (preferably compressed) air (or other gas). The filling device could be arranged in the control unit 6. Alternatively, the filling device can be housed in a separate entity and connected to the massage element assembly 13. Instead of air or water, other fluids can generally be used to fill the massage elements 15.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the massage element assembly is as an air or water cushion, the cushion containing multiple air or water cells connected to each other via one or more air or water paths, each path being connected to an air or water inlet for connecting to the air or water filling device. The cushion may be a multiple layer cushion. In this case, said cushion has a first layer of air or water paths, each path comprising multiple air or water cells. Said multiple layer cushion then comprises one or more additional layers having multiple air cells, which are connected to air cells of the first layer. The air cells of the two or more layers inflate and push on the breast to realise the massage movement.

According to another embodiment, the massage elements 15 may be electrically activated, wherein the massage elements 15 for example are polymeric pads which at least partially include one or more electroactive polymers like silicone. Also the use of piezo-electrical elements as massage elements 15 is possible. Both groups of electrically contactable massage elements 15 can also be activated individually or combined in arbitrary patterns as described before. Again, the activation device and the connecting lines are not shown. In analogy to the afore-mentioned filling device for the pads the activation device for the electrically contactable massage elements 15 can be housed in the control unit 6 or in a separate entity.

The temperature treatment pad 11 can be any suitable device like an electrically heatable or coolable pad or alternatively it can be sort of a bladder which is filled with warm or cold water for warming or cooling of the breast. Control of the temperature treatment pad 11 is also carried out by the control unit 6. The temperature treatment pad 11 can be activated separately or together with the massage elements 15.

Further, it is possible to integrate additional components into the device 1 , for example a vibration device which can support the massage effect of the massage elements 15 or a relaxation device which can detect the user's stress level and react accordingly by activation of the massage elements 15 to control the breathing of the user. The latter functions can for example be integrated in and activated by the control unit 6. When the control unit 6 is arranged in or as a remote entity, the vibrational device can be arranged in the cups 5 or in the support structure 2.

The relaxation function is designed to control the user's breathing, especially the exhalation. This function can easily be combined with the massage function of the device 1. Often, especially lactating women will be under a lot of pressure when trying to express milk from the breasts and need support in relaxation to be more successful. Relaxing can help to calm down the user and by this make the process of extracting milk from the breasts more effective. The relaxation function is based upon measurement of values representing a user's stress level, for example heart rate or conductivity of the skin due to sweat, which values are measured by at least one stress level sensor 20 which can be for example part of the control unit 6. In case the control unit 6 is remotely housed the stress level sensor 20 can be arranged in or on the support structure 2. The stress level sensor 20 corresponds to the control unit 6 and hands over the measured values to a processing unit 21, which can be part of the control device 6. In the control unit 6 further a stress level detector 22 for determination of the user's actual stress level is comprised.

In the processing unit 21 a suitable breathing pace for the actual user can be determined based upon the measured values. This breathing pace then corresponds to the detected stress level of the user and should be determined accordingly to calm down the user. This is achieved by way of prolonged exhalation by help of the massage elements 15. In the support structure a breathing sensor 23 for detection of the exhalation of the user is arranged. When this breathing sensor 23 detects exhalation by the user, the massage elements 15 are activated thus compressing the thorax of the user and by way of this also compressing the lungs, thus prolonging the exhalation. After some breathing cycles, this will lead to slower breathing.

In a further embodiment, the cups 5 shown in Figs. IB and 1C may also be used as device in the sense of the present invention, i.e. without additional straps as shown in Fig. 1 A. Such cups 5 may then be designed to be held by themselves at the user's breasts, e.g. via suction force or clamping force, i.e. the base 14 may represent the support structure or additional elements (e.g. suction elements) may be provided additionally. Further, such cups 5 may be inlayed into a conventional bra between the cup of the bra and the breast. Such cups 5 may also be used as single elements and preferably comprise all necessary elements including a support structure, a plurality of massage elements and a control unit. All further elements, as e.g. shown in Figs. IB and 1C and as described herein, are optional.

In Fig. 2 a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown. This embodiment also comprises massage elements 15 but they are arranged directly in and/or on the support structure 2 respectively in or and/on the straps 3 a and 3b. Again, the first strap 3 a is designed to be fastened around the torso of the user, whereas second straps 3b surround the breasts of the user. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, each side has its own second strap 3b. The straps 3b can be interconnected to the first strap 3a for example by Velcro band, buttons and other suitable fasteners. The control unit 6 can be arranged between the breasts or in a separate entity as described above in the context of Fig. 1A.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the massage elements 15 are again arranged in groups 16. The groups 16 can be formed in or on the first and second straps 3a, 3b. Due to the different breast sizes of different users, the straps 3b can be fastened around the breasts in a flexible way taking into account the actual breast size. E.g. breasts of lactating women will be larger compared to their normal size. By way of the flexible fixing of the straps 3b a user can use the device 1 for support of milk extraction and later for beauty applications. Fixing of the second strap 3b around the breast can be achieved by Velcro band easiest.

The straps 3 a, 3b are inelastic straps which do not elongate under tension. By way of this, it is possible to exert the massaging effect to the breasts and to support exhalation as described in the embodiment above.

Again, it is possible to activate the massage elements 15 individually or in arbitrary combinations. Since there are also radially inward and radially outward massage elements 15 when the straps 3b are in position, the above-mentioned patterns can be achieved too.

The massage elements 15 can also be combined with a vibration device and with a temperature treatment pad 11. The vibration device can likewise be arranged in the control unit 6 or in or on the straps 3. The temperature treatment pad 11 could be formed for example in the whole support structure when the straps 3, especially the second straps 3b, are hollow. The massage elements 15 can be similar to the massage elements 15 of the first embodiment according to Figs. 1A to 1C. Electroactive polymers, piezo-electric components, air or water filled pads can be used. Alternatively, these forms can also be combined.

Contacting and activation of the massage elements 15 and a possible vibration device and/or of the temperature treatment pad 11 can be via the control unit 6 which can be arranged on the support structure 2 between the breasts or in a separate entity which can be connected to the device 1.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.