| CPC A61M 1/96 (2021.05) [A61F 13/0209 (2013.01); A61F 13/0213 (2013.01); A61F 13/05 (2024.01); A61M 1/73 (2021.05); A61M 1/74 (2021.05); A61M 1/985 (2021.05); A61M 39/24 (2013.01); A61M 2205/02 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |

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1. A disposable apparatus for negative pressure wound therapy, comprising:
a source of reduced pressure;
a first chamber in fluid communication with the source of reduced pressure such that the source of reduced pressure is operable to generate a negative pressure in the first chamber;
a second chamber comprising means for establishing fluid communication with a wound;
a one-way valve located between said first chamber and said second chamber, the one-way valve permitting the passage of gas from the second chamber into the first chamber and preventing the passage of gas from the first chamber into the second chamber;
a pressure release means that prevents the negative pressure in the first chamber from exceeding a predetermined negative pressure value; and
means for detecting the negative pressure that is applied to the wound; wherein:
the source of reduced pressure is in the form of a vacuum pump occupying a volume of less than 10 cm3;
the first and second chambers are defined by housings including openings through which the first and second chambers form substantially air-tight connections with other components of the apparatus including the source of reduced pressure, the one-way valve, the pressure release means and the means for detecting the negative pressure that is applied to the wound, which air-tight connections are formed for example via interface fit or barbed connections; each of said housings being formed of a single moulded component; and
the means for detecting the negative pressure that is applied to the wound is operably coupled to the source of reduced pressure via a programmable computer processor that permits the desired level of negative pressure that is applied to the wound to be varied; and such that the source of reduced pressure is deactivated in response to the negative pressure that is applied to the wound reaching a desired level and/or the source of reduced pressure is activated in response to the negative pressure that is applied to the wound dropping below a desired level.
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