Abstract: The invention relates to a test unit for wound drainage coverings comprising: a base body with at least one cavity; at least one supply line that runs through the base body and which connects an outer side of the base body to the cavity; a surface of the base body that is embodied as a support surface for supporting wound coverings and the wound drainage coverings thereof and several channels that run through the base body, the channels connecting the cavities to the support surface. Low pressure can be produced in the cavity and the channels when the support surface is covered in an air-tight manner. As a result, wound drainage applications are tested in different ways using simple and economical means.

Abstract: A teat has a main body, a mouthpiece with a suction opening, and at least one milk channel extending from the main body to the suction opening. During use, the mouthpiece has an upper side directed towards a palate of a baby, and a lower side directed towards the baby's tongue. It is designed, on its upper side, with at least two walls, and with at least one air space arranged between said walls. The at least one air space extends separately from the at least one milk channel. The mouthpiece is designed on the upper side in such a way that this at least one air space inflates in the presence of an underpressure. This allows the palate, tongue and teat to interact in a manner that imitates breastfeeding.

Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a teat for feeding bottles, including a receiving head, produced from a dimensionally stable material, and a rubber-elastic suction element. An entry channel leads to the bottle interior and channels lead from there to the outer surface of the receiving head. The suction element, in an initial position, elastically and sealingly rests on at least one section of an outer surface of the receiving head. Milk ducts are located in the contact area between the suction element and the receiving head and communicate with the channels of the receiving head which lead towards the outlet channel in the mouthpiece so that, when a vacuum is produced in the mouthpiece, milk can flow from the feeding bottle through the milk ducts to the outlet channel, the suction element being returnable to its initial position and the flow of milk being interrupted when there is no vacuum.

Abstract: A breast shield has a tubular connector and a funnel that is integrally formed thereon, and is intended for resting on a mother's breast. The funnel widens toward the free side thereof which faces away from the connector. A passage, which extends continuously from a breast-side end of the funnel as far as a pump-side end, being opposite the breast-side end, of the connector, and serves to apply a vacuum to the mother's breast and for the flowing away of the expressed breast milk. The funnel is of more flexible design than the connector, and the funnel has a main region extending over a substantial part of the length thereof with a first opening angle of the passage, and a breast-side end region with a second opening angle of the passage. When not in use, the first opening angle is smaller than the second opening angle. In use, at least the first opening angle can be enlarged by axial pressure on the breast shield. The breast shield is pleasant to wear and minimizes the dead volume.

Abstract: A suction pump unit comprises a vacuum port, an excess pressure port and a switching valve. The switching valve comprises a valve body with two inputs, wherein a first of the inputs is connected with the vacuum port, and a second of the inputs is connected with the excess pressure port. The switching valve further comprises an output with a through hole, wherein the output can be moved relative to the inputs from the first input to the second input and back, as a result of which the through hole alternately establishes a fluid-communicating connection with one of the inputs. The through hole of the output is released and ventilated during at least part of the movement between the two inputs. This suction pump unit permits passive and active ventilation of an output line connected with the output.

Abstract: A wound cover connecting device for the sealing connection of a drainage tube and a wound cover covering a wound has a base body for the sealing contact on an outside of the cover. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one penetration element for producing a through-passage in the cover. The device enables a simple, fast, and tight connection between the cover and the tube. In addition, it enables a treatment of the wound that is as uniform and has as large a surface as possible.

Abstract: The drainage pump unit according to the invention for aspirating body fluids by means of a suction pump comprises a drainage pump device with a pump housing (4) for receiving the suction pump, and a fluid collection container (5) that can be secured releasably on the pump housing (4). The drainage pump unit also comprises a pump-side attachment part (2) which has a connection element for connection to a patient-side drainage tube (10). The attachment part (2) is held releasably on the pump housing (4), and it has a connector piece (20) onto which an attachment opening (54) of the fluid collection container (5) can be fitted. Alternatively, the attachment part (2) can have an attachment opening into which a connector piece of the fluid collection container (5) can be inserted. The connection element and the connector piece (20) or attachment opening are connected to each other via a drainage channel (24) extending through the attachment part (2).

Abstract: A portable suction pump unit for aspirating body fluids and/or air from a patient has a pump module housing for a pump module and a fluid collection container. The pump module housing has a pump-side suction connector, and the fluid collection container has a container-side suction connector for leaktight connection to the pump-side suction connector. The two suction connectors define a common axis. The fluid collection container can be secured on the pump module housing via a repeatedly releasable and restorable connection. This connection is releasable and/or restorable by means of a rotation movement of the fluid collection container relative to the pump module housing about said axis. The suction unit according to the invention is inexpensive to produce and permits an easily manageable connection between housing and container.

Abstract: A breastpump assembly is disclosed. The breastpump assembly includes a breast shield within which a woman's breast is received, a conduit structure communicating with the breast shield, a container for collecting milk, and a valve mechanism closing the breastpump assembly from ambient air when initially provided to a user, the valve mechanism being opened to allow ambient air to pass into the breastpump assembly through removal of the container, so as to substantially disable the breastpump.

Abstract: The drainage pump unit according to the invention for aspirating body fluids by means of a suction pump comprises a drainage pump device with a pump housing (4) for receiving the suction pump, and a fluid collection container (5) that can be secured releasably on the pump housing (4). The drainage pump unit also comprises a pump-side attachment part (2) which has a connection element for connection to a patient-side drainage tube (10). The attachment part (2) is held releasably on the pump housing (4). This drainage pump unit allows the fluid collection container to be replaced without removing the drainage tube and, therefore, without disturbing the patient.

Abstract: A manual breastpump has a pump mechanism for use in one mode of operation to produce an ejection (letdown) reflex in a nursing mother and in a separate mode of operation for the general expression of breastmilk. The breastpump further provides a pump mechanism having an expansible chamber device carried by the handle, which is operated by moving the handle relative to a handle mount. A double-pivot for the handle yields letdown mode as well as the general pumping mode.

Abstract: A suction pump, in particular a breast pump, comprises a bleed valve with a bleed opening, a bleed body which seals the bleed opening and an electromagnet for operating the bleed body. The bleed body may be operated such that upon opening the valve initially only a partial region of the bleed opening is released and subsequently a greater part thereof or the whole bleed opening is released. The suction pump provides a large functionality with the smallest size and, furthermore, is cheap to produce and easily assembled.

Abstract: A soft carrier for a breastpump is disclosed. The carrier includes a cushion made of a soft, malleable outer material, for at least partially enclosing a breastpump and associated accessories. One or more breast shields extend outwardly from holes in the cushion. The soft carrier provides a more comfortable experience for the mother during pumping.

Abstract: A drainage tube unit for aspirating body fluids by means of a suction pump comprises a drainage tube (10) for aspirating the body fluids and at least one service tube (11), each of them with a patient-side end and a pump-side end, the patient-side ends of the drainage tube (10) and of the service tube (11) being arranged in a common patient-side attachment part (3), and the pump-side ends of the drainage tube (10) and of the service tube (11) being arranged in a common pump-side attachment part (2). The ends of the drainage tube (10) extend separate from the ends of the service tube (11), the patient-side ends opening into a drainage channel (37) and a service channel (35) of the patient-side attachment part (3), and the pump-side ends opening into a drainage channel (24) and a service channel (25) of the pump-side attachment part (2). The drainage tube unit according to the invention is inexpensive to produce and is easy and safe to use.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing body fluids from a body cavity by suction, such as a thorax, gastric or any other human body cavity or a wound, comprises means (9) to increase the pressure difference between a pressure in a drainage lumen (3) and a pressure in the atmosphere when an auxiliary lumen (5) is open. The apparatus enables removal of clots or other plugs of the catheter and drainage tube in an efficient and not patient disturbing way.

Abstract: A breastshield is provided that may be adhesively secured to a mother's breast for use in a breastpumping system. The adhesive is sufficiently strong so as to independently support the breastshield in position throughout a breast pumping session, including supporting the milk container, thereby enabling the mother to participate in other activities during the pumping session. The adhesive is advantageously of a type that is readily removed from the breast with the breastshield, and most preferably without leaving any significant residue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved feeding nipple, including a substantially solid nipple portion. The nipple includes one or more ducts formed therethrough for conveying fluids through the nipple. The nipple is radially compressible and a reinforcing member is disposed in the nipple adjacent the one or more ducts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recognizing couplings between a first and a second component of a system, one of the two components is provided with an identification unit. A checking unit is operatively connected to the second component. The identification unit contains an item of information relating to the first component. The checking unit is designed for recognizing and processing this item of information. The checking unit moreover is designed such that, as a function of a result of the processing of the item of information, it allows or prevents coupling between the first and the second component. This apparatus enables a combined use of system components only in the case of an admissible coupling thereof.