Disposable therapeutic breast pad

Details Disposable therapeutic breast pad Disposable therapeutic breast pad

1999-09-29

2001-06-05

Lewis, Aaron J. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S358000, C604S385010, C450S037000, C450S056000, C450S057000, C450S081000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241715

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a breast pad and more particularly to a disposable therapeutic breast pad for heating or cooling the female breast to alleviate the symptoms of clogged milk ducts, mastitis or engorgement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nursing mothers frequently require therapeutic treatment, either hot or cold, to relieve or alleviate clogged milk ducts, mastitis or engorgement. Many different types of hot and cold packs have been provided for heating or cooling the female breast during nursing. However, the prior art hot and cold packs known to applicants normally contain gel packs therein which substantially increases the cost thereof and which results in the breast pads not truly being disposable breast pads. Further, the prior art breast pads known to applicants are not able to be separated into two generally C-shaped breast pad members so that the C-shaped breast pad member may be placed adjacent a portion of the breast rather than the entire breast. Additionally, most of the prior art breast pads contact the nipple, which may irritate the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A disposable hot or cold therapeutic breast pad for heating or cooling the female breast during nursing is described comprising a generally disc-shaped, moisture-impervious outer layer having inner and outer surfaces with an absorbent material disposed inwardly of the inner surface of the outer layer. The breast pad is adapted to be soaked in hot water or ice water so that the breast pad may be positioned adjacent the female breast with the absorbent material in direct contact therewith to heat or cool the female breast during nursing. Preferably, the central portion of the breast pad is provided with an opening formed therein for receiving the nipple of the female breast. Preferably, a perforated tear line extends from one side edge of the breast pad to the other so that the breast pad may be separated into two generally C-shaped breast pad members. When the perforated tear line is employed in the breast pad, it is preferred that upper and lower rows of stitching extend through the breast pad above and below the perforated tear line.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a disposable therapeutic breast pad for heating or cooling the female breast during nursing.
A further object of the invention is to provide a disposable therapeutic breast pad having a central opening formed therein for receiving the nipple of the female breast.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a disposable therapeutic breast pad comprising a moisture-impervious outer layer and an absorbent material disposed inwardly thereof.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a therapeutic disposable breast pad which is generally disc-shaped, but which may be easily separated into two generally C-shaped breast pad members.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a disposable therapeutic breast pad which is economical of manufacture for enhancing the disposable nature thereof.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.


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