Patent Publication Number: US-7896864-B2

Title: Vented vacuum bandage with irrigation for wound healing and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application No. 10/496,623 filed May 25, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,624 which is a US national counterpart application of international Application Ser. No. PCT/US02/41228 filed Dec. 20, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/344,588 filed Dec. 26, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/394,809 filed Jul. 10, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/394,970 filed Jul. 10, 2002, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to vacuum therapy wound treatment systems including a vacuum bandage coupled to a vacuum source and an irrigation source. 
     The prior art contemplates that chronic wounds may be treated by providing a vacuum in the space above the wound to promote healing. A number of prior art references teach the value of the vacuum bandage or the provision of vacuum in the space above the surface of a chronic wound. 
     A vacuum bandage is a bandage having a cover for sealing about the outer perimeter of the wound and under which a vacuum is established to act on the wound surface. Applying vacuum to the wound surface promotes healing of chronic wounds. Typically, suction tubes are provided for drawing exudate away from the wound and for creating a vacuum under the cover. The following U.S. Patents establish the nature of vacuum treatment bandages and devices: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,095,992; 6,080,189; 6,071,304; 5,645,081; 5,636,643; 5,358,494; 5,298,015; 4,969,880; 4,655,754; 4,569,674; 4,382,441; and 4,112,947. All of such references are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Further, the prior art contemplates that wounds may be treated by providing irrigation in the space above the wound. Typically, a tube is provided in communication with the wound surface of the wound at one end and with an irrigation source an another end. The fluid from the irrigation source travels through the tube to the wound surface. 
     The prior art further contemplates the use of stopcocks for use in intravenous injections and infusions. Stopcocks may be designed to include multiple ports for directing fluid flow along various paths or channels. The following U.S. Patents establish the nature of stopcocks: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,158,467; 3,586,049; 2,485,842; 2,842,124; and 6,418,966. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises one or more of the following features or combinations thereof: 
     A wound care bandage system is provided for use with a wound. The system, among other things, may be capable of ventilating the wound. The system may include a vacuum source, an irrigation source, a vent in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and with the wound, and a bandage. The vacuum source creates negative pressure above the wound and the irrigation source irrigates the wound. As is herein defined, the term “vent” is or includes any passageway to the atmosphere, unless noted otherwise. 
     The bandage is configured to lie adjacent the wound to create a sealed environment about the wound. The vent may be positioned between the bandage and the vacuum source. A vacuum passageway of the system may extend between the bandage and the vacuum source, and a vent passageway of the system may extend from the bandage to the vent in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. The vacuum passageway may extend through the vent to the vacuum source. 
     The system may also include a multi-lumen tube which forms the vacuum passageway and the vent passageway, and a wound dressing member coupled to the multi-lumen tube configured to lie adjacent the wound. The multi-lumen tube may be configured to couple to the vacuum bandage and may include a venting lumen in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and another vacuum/irrigation lumen in communication with either or both of the vacuum source and the irrigation source. Further, the multi-lumen tube may include a vacuum lumen and a separate irrigation lumen distinct from the vacuum lumen. 
     The system may also include a vent-valve apparatus having the vent or a portion of the vent passageway formed therein. The apparatus provides selective communication between the wound and either the vacuum source or the irrigation source. The apparatus may include a multi-lumen connector configured to communicate with the bandage. The multi-lumen connector may include at least one inner conduit in communication with the vacuum source and/or the irrigation source and at least one outer conduit in communication with the atmosphere. The apparatus may further include a vacuum connector coupled to the vacuum source and an irrigation connector coupled to the irrigation source. An opening of the apparatus may be provided to communicate with the atmosphere and with the outer conduit of the multi-lumen connector. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a vent having the multi-lumen connector, and a stopcock coupled to the vent and including the vacuum connector and the irrigation connector. The vent may include a single-lumen connector coupled to the inner conduit of the multi-lumen connector. The vent may further include a housing and a filter housed within the housing. The filter may be in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and with the outer conduit of the multi-lumen connector through the opening. 
     The stopcock may include a single-lumen connector coupled to the single-lumen connector of the vent and a diverter to selectively couple the single-lumen connector of the stopcock with either the vacuum connector or with the irrigation connector. The stopcock may further include a body and the diverter may be coupled to the body for rotational movement relative to the body. The diverter may include a cut-out portion to selectively communicate the vacuum connector or the irrigation connector with the vent. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a body or outer shell defining an aperture and a diverter or inner barrel received within the aperture. The diverter may rotate relative to the outer shell to selectively communicate with the vacuum source or the irrigation source. The outer shell may include the multi-lumen connector, the vacuum connector, and the irrigation connector. The diverter may include a first set of passageways and a second set of passageways formed therethrough. The first set of passageways communicates with the inner conduit of the multi-lumen connector, the vacuum connector, and the irrigation connector. The second set of passageways may communicate with the outer conduit of the multi-lumen connector through a groove or channel formed in the outer shell between the outer conduit and the second set of passageways. The outer shell illustratively includes the opening of the apparatus and the second set of passageways is in selective communication with the opening. A filter may be coupled to the opening. 
     In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may include a vent and a stopcock coupled to the vent. The vent may include a multi-lumen connector and a first and second single-lumen connector. The stopcock may include a vacuum connector and an irrigation connector. The vacuum connector may include a first portion coupled to the first single-lumen connector of the vent and a second portion coupled to the vacuum source. The irrigation connector may include a first portion coupled to the second single-lumen connector of the vent and a second portion coupled to the irrigation source. 
     The inner conduit of the multi-lumen connector may be a vacuum conduit and the multi-lumen connector may further include an irrigation conduit. Each of the vacuum and irrigation conduits may be positioned within the outer conduit. The vacuum conduit may be coupled to the first single-lumen connector of the vent and the irrigation conduit may be coupled to the second single-lumen connector of the vent. The vent further may include a housing coupled to the multi-lumen connector and a filter within the housing. The filter may be in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and with the opening through a passageway of the housing. 
     The stopcock may include a body coupled to the vacuum and irrigation connectors and a diverter received within an aperture of the body. Each of the first and second portions of the vacuum and irrigation connectors may communicate with the aperture of the body. The vacuum connector may illustratively lie in a first horizontal plane and the irrigation connector may illustratively lie in a second horizontal plane. 
     The diverter may include a first cut-out portion for communication with the vacuum connector and a second cut-out portion for communication with the irrigation connector. The diverter may rotate relative to the body to connect the first and second portions of the vacuum connector with each other and to connect the first and second portions of the irrigation connector with each other to selectively communicate the vacuum source and the irrigation source to the wound. 
     Other features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIGS. 1-8  illustrate components of a wound care bandage system of the present disclosure which provides suction, irrigation, and ventilation to a wound; 
         FIG. 1  is a part perspective, part diagrammatic view of the wound care bandage system located on the leg of a patient and coupled to a vent and to vacuum and irrigation sources through the use of a stopcock or a switch valve; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vent of the system showing a multi-lumen connector for communication with the wound via a multi-lumen tube, a single-lumen connector for communication with the switch valve, and a circular housing holding a filter (in phantom) in communication with the surrounding atmosphere; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the vent, with portions broken away, showing the multi-lumen connector aligned for coupling to the multi-lumen tube, the single-lumen connector aligned for coupling to a single lumen tube, a passageway of the vent extending between outer lumens of the multi-lumen tube and the filter of the vent, and further showing a thin, flexible wound dressing member of the bandage coupled to the multi-lumen tube by a barbed coupler; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the multi-lumen tube taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing an inner lumen of the tube for communication with the vacuum source and the irrigation source of the system and four outer lumens of the tube for communication with the filter and surrounding atmosphere to aspirate an area above the wound; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the switch valve and vent of the system showing a vent connector of the valve aligned for coupling to the single-lumen connector of the vent, a vacuum connector for communication with the vacuum source, an irrigation connector for communication with the irrigation source, and a handle or diverter for providing selective communication between the vent connector and either the vacuum source or the irrigation source; 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are perspective views of the handle of the switch valve showing a grip and a stem of the handle and further showing a cut-out portion of the stem for selective communication between the vent, vacuum, and irrigation connectors of the switch valve; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5  showing the handle of the switch valve in an irrigation position so that the cut-out portion provides a passageway between the irrigation connector and the vent connector to permit fluid from the irrigation source to run through the switch valve to the wound; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  showing the handle of the switch valve in a vacuum position so that the cut-out portion provides a passageway between the vacuum connector and the vent connector to permit the vacuum source to draw fluid and exudate from the wound; 
         FIGS. 9-16  illustrate components of another wound care bandage system in accordance with the present disclosure which also provides suction, irrigation, and ventilation to the wound; 
         FIG. 9  is a part perspective, part diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the wound care bandage system of  FIGS. 9-16  including a two-level stopcock or switch valve in selective communication with the bandage, vacuum source, and irrigation source of the system, and further showing the two-level stopcock including a vent coupled to a filter; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the two-level stopcock showing an inner barrel or handle and an outer shell, with portions broken away, and further showing the inner barrel having a grip and a stem including an upper level of ports for communication with either the vacuum source or the irrigation source, depending on the position of the inner barrel relative to the outer shell, and a lower level of ports for communication with the vent, and further showing an inner vent groove of the outer shell for providing communication between the outer lumens of the multi-lumen tube and the lower level ports of the barrel; 
         FIGS. 11-16  show three positions of the two-level stopcock provided by moving the inner barrel relative to the outer shell to selectively align certain upper level ports of the inner barrel with the vacuum and irrigation connectors of the outer shell and to selectively align certain lower level ports with the vent of the outer shell; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show the two-level stopcock in a vented vacuum position so that the vacuum source and vent are in communication with the wound to create a negative pressure adjacent the wound while drawing air into the system through the vent and over the wound to aspirate the passageways of the system; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the two-level stopcock in the vented vacuum position showing a passageway (in phantom) connecting the vacuum connector and the multi-lumen tube connector; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 9  when the two-level stopcock is in the vented vacuum position showing venting passageways of the inner barrel and showing one passageway connecting the vent groove of the outer shell with the vent; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  show the two-level stopcock in a vacuum position where only the vacuum source is in communication with the wound to create a negative pressure adjacent the wound; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view similar to  FIG. 11  of the stopcock in the vacuum position after the handle has been turned clockwise from the vented vacuum position shown in  FIG. 11 , and showing a passageway (in phantom) between the vacuum connector and the multi-lumen tube connector; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 12  showing the two-level stopcock in the vacuum position where none of the venting passageways of the inner barrel connect the vent groove of the outer shell with the vent; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  show the two-level stopcock in a vented irrigation position where the irrigation source and the vent are in communication with the wound; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view similar to  FIGS. 11 and 13  showing the two-level stopcock in the vented irrigation position after the handle has been turned clockwise from the vacuum position shown in  FIG. 13 , and showing a passageway (in phantom) between the irrigation connector and the multi-lumen connector; 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view similar to  FIGS. 12 and 14  showing the two-level stopcock in the vented irrigation position and showing a passageway of the inner barrel connecting the vent groove of the outer shell with the vent; 
         FIGS. 17-19  show a multi-lumen tube coupler according to the present disclosure for use with either of the systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  and  FIGS. 9-16  described above for coupling two multi-lumen tubes together; 
         FIG. 17  is a part perspective, part diagrammatic view of the multi-lumen tube coupler in use with the system shown in  FIGS. 9-16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the multi-lumen tube coupler showing an inner passageway for communication with each inner lumen of the multi-lumen tubes and an outer passageway for communication with each outer lumen of the multi-lumen tubes, and also showing a contoured upper surface and a flat bottom surface of the tube coupler; 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the multi-lumen tube coupler coupled to two multi-lumen tubes showing a flow path of fluids through the multi-lumen tubes and the coupler; 
         FIGS. 20-28  illustrate components of yet another wound care bandage system in accordance with the present disclosure for providing suction, irrigation, and ventilation to the wound; 
         FIG. 20  is a part perspective, part diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the wound care bandage system of  FIGS. 20-28  including a vent coupled to the bandage via a multi-lumen tube (shown in  FIG. 21 ) and a stopcock or switch valve coupled to the vent (via two single-lumen tubes) to provide selective communication between the bandage and the irrigation and vacuum sources; 
         FIG. 21  is an end view of the multi-lumen tube of the system shown in  FIGS. 20-28  showing the tube including a vacuum lumen, an irrigation lumen, and four outer vent lumens formed within a body of the tube; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a “Y-connecter” of the system shown in  FIGS. 20-28  for coupling the wound dressing member of the bandage with the multi-lumen tube shown in  FIG. 21  showing a bandage portion of the connector for insertion within a connector of the member, a vacuum portion for insertion within the vacuum lumen of the multi-lumen tube, and an irrigation portion for insertion within the irrigation lumen of the multi-lumen tube; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the vent of the system shown in  FIG. 20  showing a multi-lumen connector for coupling with the multi-lumen tube of  FIG. 21 , a vacuum connector for communication with the vacuum source via a single-lumen tube, an irrigation connector for communication with the irrigation source via a separate single-lumen tube, and also showing a filter housing coupled to the multi-lumen connector for communication with the venting lumens of the multi-lumen tube and with the atmosphere; 
         FIG. 24  is a sectional view of the vent coupled to the multi-lumen tube and the two single-lumen tubes showing a filter of the vent (in phantom), the separate vacuum, irrigation, and vent passageways formed through the vent, and also showing the Y-connecter of the system coupled to the multi-lumen tube and to the member; 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of the stopcock or switch valve of the system shown in  FIGS. 20-28  showing two separate passageways through a body of the stopcock for separate communication with the vacuum source and the irrigation source, and showing a handle or diverter, having two cut-out portions, to be received within the body of the stopcock; 
         FIGS. 26-28  are sectional views showing the stopcock in an irrigation position, a vacuum position, and an off position; 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view of the stopcock showing the stopcock in the vacuum position so that a first cut-out portion of the handle creates a passageway between first and second portions of a vacuum conduit of the stopcock; 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 26  showing the stopcock in the irrigation position where the handle has been rotated in a clockwise direction from that shown in  FIG. 26  so that a second cut-out portion (shown in phantom) connects first and second portions of an irrigation conduit with each other; 
         FIG. 28  is a sectional view similar to  FIGS. 26 and 27  showing the stopcock in the off position where the handle has been rotated 180 degrees from that shown in  FIG. 27  so that neither the first nor the second cut-out portions connect the first and second portions of either of the vacuum conduit or the irrigation conduit; 
         FIGS. 29-31  illustrate components of still another vacuum bandage system of the present disclosure which provides suction, irrigation, and ventilation to a wound; 
         FIG. 29  is a part perspective and part diagrammatic view of a vacuum bandage system of the present disclosure showing a wound dressing member of the bandage including a cover having a port and a wound contacting layer having a wound contacting surface and channels formed in an opposite surface to cooperate with the cover and form passageways of the member in communication with the port and a vacuum source and/or an irrigation source, and also showing a vent line or tube having a first end for communication with the passageways and a second end in communication with the surrounding atmosphere through a filter and a cap; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view of the bandage of  FIG. 29  positioned within a wound and showing a sealing film of the bandage providing a sealed vacuum space above the wound, the first end of the vent line in communication with the vacuum space, and the second end of the vent line coupled to the filter and to the cap outside of the vacuum space; 
         FIG. 31  is a sectional view taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30  showing the vent line and a vacuum tube coupled to each other by a coupler; 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view of an alternative vent line and vacuum tube showing a multi-lumen tube having a vent passageway and a vacuum tube passageway formed therein and separated by a partition; and 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view of yet another vent line and vacuum tube combination showing an outer wall of the vent line and an outer wall of the vacuum tube integrally coupled to one another to form a single multi-lumen tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A wound care bandage system is provided which has the capability to create negative pressure adjacent the wound, to irrigate the wound, and to ventilate the wound. A vent of the system is provided to communicate with the wound and with the surrounding atmosphere. In some embodiments, a vent-valve apparatus or a vent and valve combination of the system is in communication with the wound and with a vacuum source and an irrigation source of the wound. The vent-valve apparatus includes the vent which is in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and a diverter to provide selective communication between the wound and the irrigation source or between the wound and the vacuum source, as is described in greater detail below. 
     One embodiment of a wound care bandage system  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-8  and is provided to allow a caregiver to create a negative pressure above a wound surface (not shown) of a wound  200  (see  FIG. 20 ) through the use of an illustrative vacuum bandage  14  and a vacuum source  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . System  10  further allows a caregiver to irrigate the wound surface through the use of an irrigation source  18 . Additionally, system  10  ventilates the wound during the application of negative pressure to the wound and irrigation of the wound through use of a vent  19  in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. 
     The system  10  further includes a stopcock or switch valve  50  coupled to vent  19 . Switch valve  50  allows a caregiver to selectively provide communication between the wound and either vacuum source  16  or irrigation source  18 . As is herein defined, the terms switch valve and stopcock are used interchangeably to describe an apparatus for selectively controlling and/or diverting fluid flow therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 1 , switch valve  50  is coupled to vent  19  via a single-lumen tube  52 . However, switch valve  50  may also be coupled directly to vent  19 , as shown in  FIG. 5  and described in more detail below. The vent  19  and switch valve  50  (and tube  52 , if used) cooperate to create a vent-valve assembly  80  to allow a caregiver to toggle between different modes such as vented vacuum therapy and vented irrigation therapy. The system  10  incorporates two separate fluid lines. One fluid line selectively provides vacuum suction or irrigation to the wound while the other fluid line vents the system  10  by providing communication between the wound and the surrounding atmosphere to create air flow above the wound. 
     Vacuum bandage  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is provided for use with the wound and is sealed about the wound by a cover or sealing film  13  of bandage  14  to create a sealed environment between the wound and sealing film  13  in which a negative pressure can be established. Bandage  14  is selectively coupled to both vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  through the use of switch valve  50 , as is described in more detail below. 
     Bandage  14  promotes the healing of the wound by providing vacuum therapy to the wound to promote blood flow and remove exudate from the wound surface and by providing for irrigation of the wound with fluids such as saline, for example. An illustrative wound treatment apparatus having a wound temperature control system, a medicine delivery system, and a drainage system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,109. An illustrative vacuum and irrigation system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0161317 A1. Additionally, an illustrative vacuum bandage is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0065494 A1. Alternative vacuum bandages are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0082567 A1. Further, a vacuum bandage system including a controller of the system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0198504 A1 and in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0198503 A1. All of these applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     As mentioned above, system  10  incorporates two separate fluid lines to provide vented vacuum therapy and vented irrigation therapy to the wound. Venting of bandage  14  is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/344,588 filed on Dec. 26, 2001. This application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Venting provides for increased air flow through bandage  14  and above or adjacent the wound while vacuum source  16  applies suction to the wound. System  10  is also vented while irrigation source  18  provides fluid to the wound. Without providing for ventilation of the system  10  during operation of vacuum source  16 , a generally closed system is created between vacuum bandage  14  and vacuum source  16 . For example, in bandages without a ventilation system, once the requisite amount of air has been removed by the vacuum source  16  to create a predetermined negative pressure at the wound surface, it is possible for the system to become generally static, inhibiting much, if any, fluid flow from the wound surface. In some embodiments disclosed herein, static conditions may be created at the wound surface. 
     Ventilation of the system  10 , while drawing a negative pressure over the wound, acts to prevent the system  10  from becoming static by drawing air in from the surrounding atmosphere through vent  19 , to bandage  14  to create air flow above the wound, and out through a vacuum tube in communication with vacuum source  14 . Therefore, venting the system  10  increases air flow above the wound while vacuum source  16  applies suction to the wound. 
     The two fluid lines for ventilation and vacuum/irrigation of the wound are provided in multi-lumen tube  20 , shown in cross-section in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , tube  20  is coupled to a connector  15  of bandage  14 , and is therefore in communication with the wound at one end  21  and is coupled to vent  19  at the other end  23 . Tube  20  includes an inner lumen  22  for selective communication with the vacuum source  16  and the irrigation source  18  and outer lumens  24  formed in a body or outer wall  25  of tube  20  for communication with the surrounding atmosphere through vent  19 . Inner lumen  22  thus defines a portion of a vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  and outer lumens  24  each define a portion of a ventilation passageway  44 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , tube  20  includes four outer lumens  24  spaced about inner lumen  22 . It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to include a multi-lumen tube having one or more outer lumens in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and one or more inner lumens in selective communication with the vacuum source  16  and the irrigation source  18 . Illustratively, the outer diameter  26  of tube  20  is 0.250 inch (6.300 mm), the inner diameter  28  of tube  20  (the diameter of inner lumen  22 ) is 0.125 inch (3.150 mm), and the diameter  29  of each outer or peripheral lumen is 0.014 inch (0.353 mm). Although tube  20  includes the above dimensions, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide any suitable multi-lumen tube having lumens of any suitable size. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , bandage  14  illustratively includes a thin, flexible wound dressing member  12  having connector  15  coupled to tube  20  by a barbed tube coupler  11 . Member  12  lies adjacent to and generally conforms to the wound surface. Sealing film  13  is placed over member  12  and sealed around tube  20  to the patient&#39;s healthy skin  27  surrounding the wound, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Illustratively, connector  15  is in communication with the wound by a plurality of passageways  66  of member  12  and a plurality of holes  67 , each in communication with one of the passageways  66 , formed in a bottom surface  68  of member  19 . Tube coupler  11  connects inner lumen  22  of tube  20  with connector  15 . Each outer lumen  24  is open at an end  21  of tube  20 . This allows air to be drawn in from the atmosphere through vent  19 , to flow through outer lumens  24  and exit tube  20  at end  21 , to circulate around member  12  to the wound surface, and to flow through the holes  67  and passageways  66  of member  12  into a vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  formed in part by lumen  22 . The negative pressure created by vacuum source  16  causes air to flow through system  10  in this manner. 
     Although bandage  14  is described above, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the system  10 , and other alternative systems described below, to include any suitable bandage or wound dressing member coupled to the vacuum source  16  to communicate negative pressure from the vacuum source  16  to the wound. Bandage  14 , therefore, is merely an illustrative bandage of the wound care bandage systems disclosed herein. 
     As mentioned above, system  10  further includes vent  19 . Vent  19  is coupled to end  23  of tube  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and is illustratively shown to be coupled to patient&#39;s healthy skin  27  by tape  94 , for example. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , vent  19  includes a multi-lumen or wound connector  30  for coupling with multi-lumen tube  20  and a single-lumen connector  32  for coupling with single-lumen tube  52  or for coupling directly to switch valve  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Vent  19  further includes a filter  34 , shown in phantom in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , housed within a filter housing  40 . Multi-lumen connector  30  includes an inner conduit  36  and an outer conduit  38  concentric and coaxial with inner conduit  36  along an axis  39 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . An edge  41  of inner conduit  36  is substantially coplanar with an edge  43  of outer conduit  38 . An annular space  45  is defined between a cylindrical inner surface  47  of outer conduit  38  and a cylindrical outer surface  53  of inner conduit  36 . 
     Inner conduit  36  is in communication with vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  through stopcock  50  and defines a portion of the vacuum/irrigation passageway  42 . The vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  extends through inner lumen  22 , a portion of vent  19  and stopcock  50 . Outer conduit  38 , or annular space  45 , is in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and defines a portion of vent passageway  44 . The vent passageway  44  extends through outer lumens  24  and a portion of vent  19  to the surrounding atmosphere. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a ridge or stop  59  is coupled to inner surface  47  of outer conduit  38  to prevent tube  20  from being inserted too far within connector  30  and thus sealing off outer lumens  24 . Stop  59  prevents vent passageway  44  from becoming closed off and keeps vent passageway  44  open to receive air from the surrounding atmosphere. Vent  19  includes three evenly spaced stops  59  coupled to inner surface  47 . It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to include a vent having any number of stops  59  or the like to prevent vent passageway  44  from becoming closed off. 
     When connecting multi-lumen tube  20  with vent  19 , inner conduit  36  is received within inner lumen  22  of tube  20 . Wall  25  of tube  20 , which includes outer lumens  24 , is received within annular space  45  of connecter  30 . Tube  20  is, therefore, press fit into connector  30  and, if desired, may be permanently coupled to connecter  30  through the use of adhesives applied to the appropriate surfaces of connecter  30  and/or tube  20 . 
     Connector  32  is received within single-lumen tube  52  when connecting vent  19  to tube  52 . Tube  52  is press fit onto connector  32  so that an end  65  of single-lumen tube  52  abuts an annular shoulder surface  69  of conduit  30 . As noted above, vent  19  may also be coupled directly to switch valve  50  through the use of a luer lock connection shown in  FIG. 5  and discussed further below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , vent  19  includes an opening or passageway  46  leading between outer conduit  38  and filter  34  to connect annular space  45  with the surrounding atmosphere. Opening  46  extends radially away from conduit  30  and is generally perpendicular to axis  39 . Opening  46  is defined by cylindrical wall  27 . Illustratively, opening  46  has a diameter of 0.100 inch (2.54 mm), however, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a vent having any suitably sized opening for receiving air from the surrounding atmosphere. 
     Further illustratively, filter  34 , is a 0.2 micron anti-microbial filter for preventing bacteria and other microorganisms in the atmosphere from entering the vent  19  and traveling along vent passageway  44  below sealing film  13  of bandage  14  to the wound. Such an air filter, for example, is made by W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. of Elkton, Md. As mentioned above, filter  34  is housed within housing  40 . Housing  40  has a circular top wall  31 , a cylindrical sidewall  33 , and a circular bottom wall (not shown). Filter  34  is a generally circular dish of material sandwiched between top wall  31  and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has apertures, openings, or the like so that filter  34  is in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. Further, the bottom wall is removable so that filter  34  may be replaced if needed. Vent  19  further includes reinforcement ribs  35  appended to top wall  31  of housing  40  and wall  27  defining passageway  46 . 
     In operation, vent  19  is used during both vacuum and irrigation modes of the system. As mentioned before, vent  19  provides increased air flow through bandage  14  and above the wound. Vent  19  also creates an open system and prevents the system from becoming static. The air flow path while vacuuming the system begins as air is drawn in from the surrounding atmosphere into filter housing  40  of vent  19  and through filter  34 . The air then travels through opening  46  into annular space  45  defined by outer conduit  38  and through outer lumens  24  of multi-lumen tube  20 . The air travels through the outer lumens  24  from vent end  23  of tube  20  to end  21  of tube  20 , a portion of which is positioned under sealing film  13 , to communicate with the wound. Vacuum source  16  then draws the air around wound dressing member  12  through passageways  66  at an open peripheral edge of member  12  and through holes  67  into passageways  66 . Air is then drawn from passageways  66  into connector  15  of member  12 , through barb  11 , and through inner lumen  22  of multi-lumen tube  20  toward vacuum source  14 . 
     It is also within the scope of the disclosure for the caregiver to close off vent  19  while vacuuming or irrigating the wound. Vent  19  may be closed in a number of ways. For example, a cap or valve (not shown) may be coupled to filter  34  or filter housing  40  to prevent air flow through filter  40 . It is within the scope of this disclosure to include a vent having other suitable means of preventing air flow therethrough. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and mentioned above, inner conduit  36  and outer conduit  38  form separate passageways through vent  19 . Inner conduit  36  is in communication with and forms a portion of vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  which extends through inner lumen  22 , a portion of vent  19  and on to switch valve  50 . Outer conduit  38  is in communication with and forms a portion of vent passageway  44 , which extends through outer lumens  24  and a portion of vent  19 . Vent passageway  44  is in communication with the atmosphere through filter  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  10  further includes switch valve  50 . Switch valve  50  is positioned between vent  19  and vacuum and irrigation sources  16 ,  18 . Single-lumen tube  52  is coupled to and extends between single-lumen connector  32  of vent  19  and switch valve  50  and forms a portion of vacuum/irrigation passageway  42 . Switch valve  50 , includes a vent connector  54  which can be coupled either to single-lumen tube  52 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or directly to connecter  32  of vent  19 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , through the use of a luer lock. Single-lumen connector  32  includes a female thread portion  55  of the luer lock, and vent connector  54  of switch valve  50  includes a male portion  57  of the luer lock so that the two can be coupled together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , switch valve  50  includes a body  60  and a handle or diverter  51  coupled to body  60 . Body  60  includes vent connector  54 , a vacuum connector  56  in communication with vacuum source  16 , and an irrigation connector  58  in communication with irrigation source  18 . Vent connector  54  forms another portion of vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  and is in selective communication with vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18 . Vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  therefore extends from end  21  of inner lumen  22  of multi-lumen tube  20  to multi-lumen connector  30  of vent  19 , through inner conduit  36  of vent  19 , out connector  32  of vent  19 , to vent connector  54  of switch valve  50  and partially through switch valve  50  to diverter  51  of switch valve  50 . 
     Switch valve  50  includes diverter  51  for selectively providing communication between vacuum source  16  and bandage  14  and between irrigation source  18  and bandage  14 . Diverter  51  includes a grip  62  and a stem  64  coupled to grip  62 , as show in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . Diverter  51  is rotatably movable relative to body  60  to selectively provide communication between either vent connector  54  and irrigation connector  58  or between vent connector  54  and vacuum connector  56 . A caregiver rotates diverter  51  between an irrigation position shown in  FIG. 7  and a vacuum position shown in  FIG. 8  depending on whether the wound is to receive vacuum or irrigation treatment, respectively. Switch valve  50  allows the caregiver to easily switch between communication with vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  without the need to disconnect or reconnect various tubes from each of the vacuum source  16  and/or irrigation source  18 , for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , body  60  includes an aperture  61  for receiving stern  64  of diverter  51 . Vent connector  54 , vacuum connector  56 , and irrigation connector  58  each form a respective opening  82 ,  84 ,  86  in communication with aperture  61 . As diverter  51  is rotated, a cut-out portion  63  of stem  64  provides a passageway between vent connector  54  and vacuum connector  56  when diverter  51  is in the vacuum position, for example. When diverter  51  is in the irrigation position, cut-out portion  63  provides a passageway between vent connector  54  and irrigation connector  58 . Diverter  51  is also movable to an off position where cut-out portion  63  does not provide any communication between the connectors  54 ,  56 ,  58 . 
     In addition to vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  and vent passageway  44 , system  10  further includes a separate vacuum passageway  70  and a separate irrigation passageway  72 . Vacuum connector  56  defines a portion of vacuum passageway  70  and irrigation connector  58  defines a portion of irrigation passageway  72 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , vacuum connector  56  is coupled to a vacuum tube  74  which is, in turn, coupled to vacuum source  16 . The vacuum passageway  70 , therefore, extends from opening  84  of body  60  through vacuum connector  56  and vacuum tube  74  to vacuum source  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , irrigation connector  58  is coupled to an irrigation tube  76  which is, in turn, coupled to irrigation source  18 . The irrigation passageway  72 , therefore, extends from opening  86  of body  60  through irrigation connector  58  and irrigation tube  76  to irrigation source  18 . Thus, at opening  82  of body  60 , vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  ends and is split into separate vacuum and irrigation passageways  70 ,  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an attachment  88  is coupled to irrigation connector  58 . Attachment  88  includes a first inlet  90  for communication with irrigation tube  76  and irrigation source  18  and a second inlet  92  for communication with a hand-held syringe (not shown). Attachment  88  provides two means of introducing fluids into system  10 . Second inlet  92  allows a caregiver to manually introduce fluids into system  10  while irrigation source  18  includes automatic controls for introducing fluids into system  10  through first inlet  90 . A slot  96  of irrigation connector  58  receives a portion of second inlet  92  to secure attachment  88  within irrigation connector  58 . 
     As mentioned above, system  10  allows a caregiver to treat the wound using vented vacuum therapy through the use of vent  19  with vacuum source  16  and using vented irrigation therapy through the use of irrigation source  18  and vent  19 . To provide vented vacuum therapy to the wound, the caregiver moves diverter  51  to the vacuum position, shown in  FIG. 8 , so that cut-out portion  63  of stem  64  connects opening  82  of vent connector  54  with opening  84  of vacuum connector  56 . Therefore, irrigation connector  58  and irrigation passageway  72  are closed off and vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  is connected with vacuum connector  56  and vacuum passageway  70 . Vent passageway  44  is kept open to the surrounding atmosphere. The negative pressure provided by vacuum source  16  above wound  12  acts to draw air in from the atmosphere through filter  34  of vent  19  and outer lumens  24 . As mentioned above, vent  19  is provided to aspirate the system  10  by creating an air flow path from the atmosphere to the bandage  14 , over the wound, and out through inner lumen  22  in communication with vacuum source  16 . 
     To create vented irrigation of wound  12 , a caregiver moves diverter  51  to the irrigation position so that cut-out portion  63  of stem  64  connects opening  82  of vent connector  54  with opening  56  of irrigation connector  58 . Therefore, irrigation passageway  72  of the irrigation connector  58  is in communication with the vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  of the vent connector  54 . The vacuum passageway  70  is thus cut off from communication with the vacuum/irrigation passageway  42 . Irrigation fluid is then dispensed from irrigation source  18  through irrigation passageway  72  of tube  76  and switch valve  50  to the vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  through vent connector  54 , tube  52 , vent  19 , and inner lumen  22  of multi-lumen tube  20  to wound  12 . Vent  19  is left in an open position to allow air to flow out of bandage  14  while fluid from irrigation source  18  is channeled to the wound. As mentioned above, it is also within the scope of this disclosure to provide non-vented irrigation of the wound by closing off vent  19  from the surrounding atmosphere while providing fluid to the wound through irrigation source  18 . 
     As mentioned above, the combination of vent  19 , and switch valve  50  is defined as vent-valve assembly  80 . If desired, assembly  80  may also include tube  52  or another conduit or passageway between vent  19  and switch valve  50 . Assembly  80  provides a caregiver with the ability to toggle or selectively switch between the vented vacuum mode of therapy and the vented irrigation mode of therapy for the treatment of the wound. As mentioned above, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a vent which is able to be closed off from communication with the surrounding atmosphere so that vacuum only and/or irrigation only therapy may be provided as well. 
     An alternative vent-valve assembly  180  is provided for use with system  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 9-16 . Assembly  180  includes a stopcock or valve portion in selective communication with vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  and a vent portion in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. Assembly  180  is configured to selectively provide three modes of therapy: vacuum therapy, vented vacuum therapy, and vented irrigation therapy. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , vent-valve assembly  180  is positioned between illustrative bandage  14  of system  10  and vacuum and irrigation sources  16 ,  18 . Assembly  180  serves a similar function as assembly  80 , including vent  19  and stopcock  50 , shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . Similar to assembly  80 , assembly  180  is in communication with bandage  14 , vacuum source  16 , and irrigation source  18  of system  10 . Assembly  180  is operated by a caregiver during the treatment of a patient to change from mode to mode as desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , assembly  180  includes an outer shell or body  110  and a diverter or inner barrel  112 . Inner barrel  112  is normally positioned within outer shell  110 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , and is rotatable relative to outer shell  110  between three different positions which correlate with the three available modes: vacuum, vented vacuum, vented irrigation. Outer shell  110  includes a cylindrical hub  114  having an outer surface  116  and in inner surface  118 , shown in  FIG. 10 . Outer shell  110  further includes a multi-lumen or wound connector  130 , a vent  119 , a vacuum connector  156 , and an irrigation connector  158 . Suitable coupling means such as a C-clip (not shown) to fit around inner barrel  112 , a pin (not shown) through outer shell  110  and inner barrel  112 , for example, are provided to prevent inner barrel or diverter  112  from being inadvertently separated from body  110 . Such coupling means are also provided for use with stopcocks  50  and  250  (discussed below) to prevent the handle of each from being inadvertently decoupled from the body of each. 
     Similar to multi-lumen connector  30  of vent  19 , multi-lumen connector  130  of assembly  180  includes inner conduit  36  and outer conduit  38  spaced apart from and concentric with inner conduit  36 . Inner conduit  36  defines a portion of vacuum/irrigation passageway  42  and outer conduit  38  defines a portion of vent passageway  44  of system  10 . Inner conduit  36  is received within inner lumen  22  of tube  20 . Wall  25  of tube  20 , which includes outer lumens  24 , is received within outer conduit  38  of multi-lumen connector  130 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , inner conduit  36  is coupled to a barb  37 . Barb  37  is received within inner lumen  22  as well and helps maintain the connection between tube  20  and multi-lumen connector  130 . It is within the scope of this disclosure for multi-lumen connector  30  of vent  19  to have barb  37  formed integrally with inner conduit  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , outer conduit  38  includes a partition  48  having multiple vent holes  49  formed therethrough. Air traveling through lumens  24  also travels through the holes  49  to a vent groove  122  formed in inner surface  118  of hub  114 . It is not necessary for outer lumens  24  of tube  20  to align directly with one of the vent holes  49 . A stop (not shown), similar to stop  59 , is coupled to inner surface  47  of outer conduit  38  to prevent tube  20  from being inserted too far within connecter  130 . Vent groove  122  connects outer conduit  38  with vent  119 , as is described in more detail below. 
     Vacuum connector  156  communicates with vacuum source  16  through vacuum tube  74 . Vacuum connector  156  includes barb  37  received within tube  74 . Vacuum connector  156  and vacuum tube  74  form vacuum passageway  70  of system  10 . Irrigation connector  158  communicates with irrigation source  18  through irrigation tube  76 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . Irrigation connector  158  and irrigation tube  76  form the irrigation passageway  72  of system  10 . Vacuum connector  156  and irrigation connector  158  are each in selective communication with multi-lumen connector  130 , as is described below. As shown in  FIG. 9 , air filter  34 , contained within a housing  124 , is coupled to vent  119  and is received within an aperture  120  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) of vent  119 . Housing  124  includes an air inlet tube  126  and a connector tube  128  coupled to vent  119  and in communication with aperture  120  of vent  119 . 
     Diverter  112 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , includes a grip  162  and a cylinder or stem  164  coupled to grip  162 . Cylinder  164  includes an upper level of holes and a lower level of holes, as shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in phantom in  FIGS. 11 ,  13 , and  15 , the upper level of holes includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth holes  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14 , and  16 , the lower level of holes includes first, second, third, and fourth holes  182 ,  184 ,  186 , and  188 , respectively. The upper level of holes communicate with inner conduit  36  of multi-lumen connector  130  and with each of the vacuum and irrigation connectors  156 ,  158 . The lower level of holes communicate with outer conduit  38  and aperture  120  of vent  119 . The upper holes of cylinder  164  form interconnecting passageways through cylinder  164  to selectively connect inner conduit  36  with vacuum conduit  156  and irrigation conduit  158  and the lower holes form passageways through cylinder  164  to selectively connect outer conduit  38  with vent  119 , as is described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , assembly  180  is in the vented vacuum position. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the upper holes are positioned so that hole  166  is in communication with inner conduit  36  and hole  170  is in communication with vacuum connector  156  to provide a passageway between inner conduit  36  and vacuum connector  156 . The other holes  168 ,  172  and  174  are not in communication with any of the connectors  130 ,  156 ,  158  of outer shell  110 . Looking now to the lower level of holes shown in  FIG. 12 , hole  182  is in communication with vent groove  122  and hole  186  is in communication with aperture  120  of vent  119  to provide a passageway between vent groove  122  and vent  119  so that outer lumens  24  of tube  20  are in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. 
     By rotating grip  162  clockwise (as viewed from the top of apparatus  180 ), a caregiver rotates inner barrel  112  relative to outer shell  110  to move assembly  180  to the vacuum position shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In the vacuum position, upper level hole  174  is in communication with inner conduit  36  of multi-lumen connector  130  and hole  168  is in communication with vacuum connector  156  to provide a passageway between inner conduit  36  and vacuum connector  156 . In the vacuum position, however, vent passageway  44  of system  10  is prevented from communicating with the surrounding atmosphere through vent  119 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , for example, none of the lower level holes are in communication with either vent groove  122  or aperture  120  of vent  119 . 
     By rotating grip  162  still further clockwise, a caregiver rotates inner barrel  112  relative to outer shell  110  to move assembly  180  to the vented irrigation position shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 .  FIG. 15  shows the orientation of the upper level holes of the inner barrel  112  while assembly  180  is in the vented irrigation position. Hole  172  is in communication with inner conduit  36  of multi-lumen connector  130  and hole  166  is in communication with irrigation connector  158  to provide communication between inner conduit  36  and irrigation connector  158 .  FIG. 16  shows the orientation of the lower level holes when stopcock  180  is in the vented irrigation position. Hole  188  is in communication with vent groove  122  and hole  184  is in communication with aperture  120  of vent  119  so that outer conduit  38  is in communication with vent  119  to allow air from the surrounding atmosphere to enter system  10 . It is also within the scope of this disclosure for assembly  180  to be in an “off” position where none of the upper level passageways connect any of the connecters  130 ,  158 ,  156  with each other, and where none of the lower level passageways connect the vent grove  122  with the vent  119 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17-19 , a tube coupler  140  is provided for use with system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , coupler  140  is positioned between bandage  14  and assembly  180 . It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to position a tube coupler between bandage  14  and assembly  80  shown in  FIG. 1 . Coupler  140  connects or couples two multi-lumen tubes together. Coupler  140  allows a caregiver to disconnect a portion of system  10  between bandage  14  and assemblies  80  or  180 . As shown in  FIGS. 17-19 , coupler  140  couples multi-lumen tube  20  to another multi-lumen tube  17 . 
     Coupler  140  includes an outer body  142  having a curved upper surface  144  and a generally flat bottom surface  146 . Outer body  142  defines a passageway  148  therethrough for receiving a portion of a multi-lumen tube at a first end  136  and at a second end  138 . Passageway  148  is defined by an inner surface  149  of body  142 . Coupler  140  further includes an inner conduit  150  which defines a portion of vacuum/irrigation passageway  42 . Inner conduit  150  is positioned within passageway  148 . A portion of vent passageway  44  is annular and is defined between inner surface  149  of body  142  and an outer surface  151  of inner conduit  150 . Coupler  140  further includes a central partition  152  formed around conduit  150  and connected to inner surface  149 . Partition  152  includes three generally evenly spaced holes  154  for the vented air to flow through. 
     An end of tube  20  is inserted into first end  136  of coupler  140  and an end of tube  17  is inserted into second end  138  of coupler  140 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , so that inner conduit  150  is received within the inner lumen  22  of each tube  20 ,  17 . As mentioned above, multi-lumen tubes  20 ,  17  include four outer lumens  24  formed in wall  25 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , tubes  20 ,  17  are inserted into coupler  140  and are generally spaced-apart from partition  152  so that air flowing through the four outer lumens  24  of tube  17  flows into an open space  155  on the right side of partition  152 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , through holes  154  of partition  152  and into an open space  157  located on the left side of partition  152  into outer lumens  24  of tube  20 . 
     Tube coupler  140  may also be used to aide in effectively securing sealing film  13  of bandage  14  over or around tube  20 . For example, coupler  140  may be placed on the patient&#39;s healthy skin adjacent the wound. The film  13  may then be placed over curved upper surface  144  of coupler  140  and effect a seal around coupler  140  to create a sealed environment between film  13  and the wound. Coupler  140 , therefore, may also act to prevent leaks in the vacuum space created below film  13 . Coupler  140  further includes a ridge or stop  153  coupled to inner surface  149  to each of the right and left sides of partition  152  to prevent each respective tube  20 ,  17  from abutting partition  152  and closing off vent lumens  24  from communication with the surrounding atmosphere. Each open space  155 ,  157 , therefore, is defined between a respective stop  153  and partition  152 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20-28 , another illustrative wound care bandage system  210  is provided. System  210  operates similarly to system  10  described above and includes a vent-valve apparatus  280  to provide ventilation while allowing a user to toggle between a vacuum therapy mode and an irrigation therapy mode. As shown in  FIG. 20 , bandage  14  is coupled to a vent  219  via an alternative multi-lumen tube  220 . Specifically, member  12  of bandage  14  is coupled to a “Y-connector”  212  of the system  210  which is coupled to tube  220 . Y-connector  212  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 22 and 24  and is discussed in more detail below. 
     Vent-valve apparatus  280  includes a stopcock or switch valve  250  coupled to vent  219  via two single-lumen tubes  216 ,  218 . Switch valve  250  is coupled to both vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  to provide selective communication between either the bandage  14  and vacuum source  16  or between bandage  14  and irrigation source  18 , as described below. 
     Vent  219 , similar to vent  19 , is spaced apart from bandage  14  and is illustratively shown to be coupled to patient&#39;s healthy skin  27  by tape  94 , for example. Vent  219  is able to provide ventilation to wound  200  (shown in  FIG. 20 ) during the application of negative pressure to wound  200  and during irrigation of wound  200  because vent  219 , similar to vents  19  and  119  are in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and with the wound  200 . 
     The wound care bandage system  210  shown in  FIGS. 20-28  incorporates three separate fluid paths. One fluid path is used exclusively for the purpose of venting the wound  200  with air from the surrounding atmosphere. A second fluid path is used to create a negative pressure adjacent the wound  200 , while the third fluid path is used to irrigate the wound  200 . Switch valve  250  acts to selectively communicate either the vacuum path or the irrigation path with the wound  200 . The three fluid paths for ventilation, vacuum, and irrigation of wound  200  are provided by multi-lumen tube  220 . 
     Multi-lumen tube  220  includes a vacuum lumen  222 , an irrigation lumen  224 , and four outer venting lumens  226  formed within and defined by a body  228 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . Vacuum lumen  222  is in communication with vacuum source  16 , irrigation lumen  224  is in communication with irrigation source  18 , and each venting lumen  226  is in communication with the atmosphere through vent  219 , as is described below. As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 24 , multi-lumen tube  220  is coupled to an alternative connector  214  of member  12  by Y-connecter  212 , and is therefore in communication with the wound  200  at one end  230  and is coupled to vent  260  at another end  232 . 
     Although tube  200  is shown to include four venting lumens  214 , it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a multi-lumen tube having one or more venting lumens in communication with the surrounding atmosphere, one or more vacuum lumens in communication with the vacuum source  16 , and one or more irrigation lumens in communication with the irrigation source  18 . Illustratively, an outer diameter  234  of tube  220  is 0.375 inch (9.53 mm), a diameter  236  of vacuum lumen  222  is 0.125 inch (3.175 mm), a diameter  238  of irrigation lumen  224  is 0.125 inch (3.175 mm), and a diameter  240  of each outer venting lumen  226  is 0.020 inch (0.508 mm). Although tube  220  includes the above dimensions, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide any suitable multi-lumen tube having lumens of any suitable size. 
     As mentioned above, Y-connecter  212  is provided for coupling with alternative connector  214  of vacuum bandage  14 . Connector  214  is similar to connector  15  and is in communication with wound  200  through channels  66  and holes  67  of member  12 . Connector  214  is different from connector  15  in that connector  214  is positioned at an angle relative to a top surface  242  of member  12  and includes a single angled passageway  244  (as shown in  FIG. 24 ) rather than a vertical passageway connected to a horizontal passageway of connector  15  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the illustrative embodiment, the included angle between an axis along passageway  244  and the top surface  242  of member  12 , when member  12  is in a flat configuration, is about 30 degrees. 
     Illustratively, Y-connecter  212  includes a bandage portion  246 , an irrigation portion  248 , and a vacuum portion  252 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . Irrigation portion  248  includes a passageway  254  forming a section of the irrigation passageway, vacuum portion  252  includes a passageway  256  forming a section of the vacuum passageway, and bandage portion  246  includes a passageway  258  forming a section of the vacuum/irrigation passageway. The passageway  254  of irrigation portion  248  and the passageway  256  of vacuum portion  252  each merge into passageway  258  of the bandage portion  246 . Once bandage portion  246  of Y-connecter  212  splits into the irrigation portion  248  and the vacuum portion  252 , the irrigation and vacuum passageways remain separate and distinct passageways through multi-lumen tube  220 , vent  219 , and switch valve  250  to the respective irrigation source  18  and vacuum source  16 . 
     Bandage portion  246  is press fit into connector  214 , as shown in  FIG. 24 , and includes an angled end  260  to lie adjacent to the top surface  242  of member  12 . Irrigation portion  248  is similarly press fit into irrigation lumen  224  of tube  220  and vacuum portion  252  is press fit into vacuum lumen  222  of tube  220 . In some embodiments, adhesive or sealant is applied to either or all of portions  246 ,  248 ,  252  to further enhance the connection between bandage portion  246  and connector  214  between irrigation portion  248  and tube  220 , and between vacuum portion  252  and tube  220 . Y-connecter  212  is provided to connect bandage  14  with multi-lumen tube  220  and vent  219 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 23 , vent  219  includes a multi-lumen connector  262  for coupling with multi-lumen tube  220 , a single-lumen vacuum connector  264  for coupling with a single-lumen tube, such as tube  216 , and a single-lumen irrigation connector  266  for coupling with a single-lumen tube, such as tube  218  (as shown in  FIG. 20 ). Tubes  216  and  218  are also coupled to switch valve  250  as shown in  FIG. 20  and described in more detail below. It is also within the scope of this disclosure to eliminate the use of tubes  216  and  218  so that vent  219  is coupled directly to switch valve  250 . Similar to vents  19 ,  119 , vent  219  further includes filter  34  (shown in phantom), housed within filter housing  40 , in communication with multi-lumen connector  262 . 
     Multi-lumen connector  262  includes an outer conduit  272 , an inner vacuum conduit  274 , and an inner irrigation conduit  276 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . Both vacuum conduit  274  and irrigation conduit  276  are located within outer conduit  272 . An edge  278  of outer conduit  272  is substantially coplanar with an edge  281  of vacuum conduit  274  and an edge  282  of irrigation conduit  276 . Vacuum conduit  274  is in communication with vacuum source  16  through switch valve  250  and defines a portion of the vacuum passageway. Irrigation conduit  276  is in communication with the irrigation source  18  through switch valve  250  and defines a portion of the irrigation passageway. Outer conduit  252  is in communication with the surrounding atmosphere and defines a portion of the vent passageway. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , vacuum conduit  274  is received within vacuum lumen  222  of tube  220 . Body  228  of tube  220 , which includes outer venting lumens  226 , is received within a space  284  defined between a cylindrical inner surface  286  of outer conduit  272  and cylindrical outer surfaces  288 ,  290  of vacuum and irrigation conduits  274 ,  276 , respectively (as shown in  FIG. 23 ). Tube  220  is press fit into the space  284  so that the outer surface of tube  220  abuts cylindrical inner surface  286  of outer conduit  272 , so that an inner surface of vacuum lumen  220  abuts the cylindrical outer surface  288  of the vacuum conduit  274 , and so that the inner surface of irrigation lumen  224  abuts the cylindrical outer surface  290  of the irrigation conduit  276 . In some embodiments, an adhesive material or sealant is applied to the appropriate surfaces of tube  220  and multi-lumen connector  262  to enhance the connection between tube  220  and vent  219 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , a ridge or stop (not shown) is coupled to and positioned between outer surface  288  of vacuum conduit  274  and outer surface  290  of irrigation conduit  276  to prevent tube  220  from being inserted too far within connector  262  and thus sealing off outer lumens  226 . The stop prevents vent passageway from becoming closed off and keeps vent passageway open to receive air from the surrounding atmosphere. Illustratively, vent  219  includes one stop, however, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a vent having any number of stops or the like to prevent the vent passageway from becoming closed off from the surrounding atmosphere. 
     Vacuum connector  264  of vent  219  includes an inner surface  292  defining a portion of the vacuum passageway and an outer surface  294 . Vacuum connector  264  is in communication with vacuum conduit  274  of multi-lumen connector  262 , as shown in phantom in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . Illustratively, single-lumen tube  216 , coupled to vacuum source  16 , is press fit into vacuum connector  264 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . Tube  216  may further be permanently or temporarily bonded to vacuum connecter  264  through the use of an adhesive material applied to the appropriate surfaces of tube  216  and connecter  264 . 
     Irrigation connector  266  of vent  219  similarly includes an inner surface  296  defining a portion of the irrigation passageway and an outer surface  298  including a shoulder  300 . Irrigation connector  266  is in communication with irrigation conduit  276  of multi-lumen connector  262 , also shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . Illustratively, single-lumen tube  218  is press-fit into irrigation connector  266 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . Tube  218  may further be permanently or temporarily bonded to irrigation connector  266  through the use of an adhesive material applied to the appropriate surfaces of tube  218  and connector  266 . It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to connect tubes  216  and  218  to the respective irrigation and vacuum connectors  266 ,  264  through the use of a barb or a luer lock connection, for example. 
     Outer conduit  272  of multi-lumen connector  262  further includes an opening or aperture  302  in communication with the surrounding atmosphere. Housing  40  for filter  34  is coupled to multi-lumen connector  262  so that a passageway  46  of housing  40  connects space  284  with the filter  34  and the surrounding atmosphere. Passageway  46  extends radially away from outer conduit  272  and is generally perpendicular to an axis running through vacuum conduit  274 . Passageway  46  is defined by cylindrical wall  27 . 
     In operation, vent  219  is used during both vacuum and irrigation modes of the system. As mentioned before with respect to vents  19  and  119 , vent  219  provides increased air flow through bandage  14  and above wound  200 . Vent  219  also creates an open system and prevents the system from becoming static. Vent  219  further maintains separate vacuum and irrigation passageways. As mentioned before with respect to vents  19 ,  119 , it is within the scope of the disclosure for the caregiver to close off vent  160  while vacuuming or irrigating wound  200 . Vent  219  may also be closed in a number of ways. For example, a cap or a valve (not shown) may be coupled to filter  34  or filter housing  40  to prevent air flow through filter  34 . It is within the scope of this disclosure to include a vent having other suitable means of preventing air flow therethrough. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 25-28 , the stopcock  250  of system  210  includes a diverter or handle  314  and a body  316  defining an aperture  318  for receiving at least a portion of the handle  314 . Handle  314  includes a grip  320  and a hub or stem  322  coupled to the grip  320 . Hub  322  is received within aperture  318  of body  316 . Stopcock or switch valve  250  further includes a vacuum conduit  310  having a first portion  324  coupled to tube  216  and a second portion  326  coupled to a single-lumen tube  328 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . Tube  328 , is coupled to vacuum source  16 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . As shown in  FIGS. 25-28 , vacuum conduit  310  defines a portion of the vacuum passageway through body  316 . Each single-lumen tube  216 ,  328  is coupled to the respective first portion  324  and second portion  326  of the stopcock  250  through the use of luer locks (not shown). It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to connect tubes  216 ,  328  to stopcock  250  in another suitable manner such as through the use of a barb, by press-fitting each tube  216 ,  328  onto conduit  310  of stopcock  250 , or by slip-fitting each tube  216 ,  328  into conduit  310 , and including the use of adhesive material to permanently or temporarily bond each tube  216 ,  328  to conduit  310 . 
     Stopcock  250  further includes an irrigation conduit  330  having a first portion  332  coupled to tube  218  and a second portion  334  coupled to a single-lumen tube  336 . Tube  336  is coupled to irrigation source  18 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . Irrigation conduit  330  defines a portion of the irrigation passageway through body  316  of stopcock  250 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , irrigation conduit  330  lies below vacuum conduit  310  as indicated by a distance  311  so that the irrigation conduit  330  and vacuum conduit  310  are positioned to lie in separate horizontal planes. Tubes  218 ,  336  may be coupled to irrigation conduit  330  by the same or similar means as those discussed above with respect to tubes  216 ,  328  and vacuum conduit  310 . 
     Hub  322  of handle  314  includes a first or vacuum cut-out portion  340  and a second or irrigation cut-out portion  342 . Similar to conduits  310  and  330 , cut-out portions  340 ,  342  do not lie in the same horizontal plane. When hub  322  is received within aperture  318  of body  316 , vacuum cut-out portion  340  lies in the same horizontal plane as vacuum conduit  310  and irrigation cut-out portion  342  lies in the same horizontal plane as irrigation conduit  330 . 
     Handle  314 , and thus hub  322 , is rotatable relative to body  316 . Handle  314  is able to be positioned by a caregiver to align the vacuum cut-out portion  340  with the vacuum conduit  310 , as shown in  FIG. 26 , or to align the irrigation cut-out portion  342  with the irrigation conduit  330 , as shown in  FIG. 27 . Further, handle  314  may be rotated to an “off” position where neither cut-out portion  340 ,  342  is aligned with either of the conduits  310 ,  330 , as shown in  FIG. 28 . Thus, passageways  344 ,  346  through conduits  310 ,  330  each communicate with aperture  318  of body  316 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , the stopcock  250  is in a vacuum position where vacuum cut-out portion  340  is aligned with vacuum conduit  310 , as mentioned above. Vacuum cut-out portion  340  connects first portion  324  of vacuum conduit  310  with second  326  of vacuum conduit  310  so that vacuum source  16  is able to create a negative pressure adjacent the wound  200 . When stopcock  250  is in the vacuum position, irrigation cut-out portion  342  is not in communication with the irrigation conduit  330 . 
     Rotating handle  314  about 90 degrees clockwise from the vacuum position aligns irrigation cut-out portion  342  with irrigation conduit  330  in an irrigation position shown in phantom in  FIG. 27 . Irrigation cut-out portion  342  connects first end  332  of irrigation conduit  330  with second end  334  of irrigation conduit  330  so that the irrigation source  18  is able to send fluids through stopcock  250  to wound  200 . When stopcock  250  is in the irrigation position, vacuum cut-out portion  340  is not in communication with the vacuum conduit  310 . 
     To move the stopcock  250  to the “off” position (shown in  FIG. 28 ), the caregiver may either rotate the handle 180 degrees in either direction from the irrigation position (shown in  FIG. 27 ) or the caregiver may rotate the handle 90 degrees in the counter-clockwise direction from the vacuum position (shown in  FIG. 26 ). As mentioned above, neither cut-out portion  340 ,  342  communicates with either conduit  310 ,  330  when stopcock  250  is in the “off” position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , grip  320  of handle  314  includes an indicator  350  to indicate to the caregiver whether the stopcock  250  is in the vacuum position, irrigation position, or off position. It is within the scope of this disclosure to include a seal, gasket, or o-ring (not shown) between hub  322  and body  316  of stopcock  250  to create a seal between the two components. 
     Looking now to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , yet another wound care bandage system  400  is provided which has the capability to create negative pressure adjacent wound  200 , to irrigate wound  200 , and to ventilate wound  200 . Ventilated vacuum bandage system  400  is provided for use with wound  200  having a wound surface  413 . The system  400  includes a wound dressing member  419  similar to wound dressing member  12 , shown in  FIG. 24 , a vacuum source  16 , an irrigation source  18 , and a vent  460  in communication with the member  419 . The vent  460  is also in communication with the surrounding atmosphere to provide increased air flow above the wound surface  413  and through the member  419  particularly when the vacuum source  16  is operating to create a negative pressure above the wound  200 . As is herein defined with respect to all embodiments disclosed herein, the term “vent” is or includes any passageway to the atmosphere, unless noted otherwise. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, a vacuum bandage  410  is provided for use with wound  200  having wound surface  413 , shown in  FIG. 30 . Bandage  410  includes the wound dressing member  419  and a vent  460  in communication with member  419  as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . Member  419  is illustratively thin and flexible and includes a wound contacting layer  420  and a cover  422  coupled to the layer  420 . Member  419  also includes a connector  423  coupled to cover  422  for communication with vacuum source  16  and/or irrigation source  18 . 
     Vacuum bandage  410  is coupled to vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  through the use of a switch valve  455 , as shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 29 . Switch valve  455  may be the same as or similar to stopcock  50  and/or assemblies  80 ,  180 , described above, for example. Similar to bandage  14 , bandage  410  also promotes the healing of large wound  200  by providing vacuum therapy to the wound  200  to promote blood flow and remove exudate from wound surface  413  and by providing for irrigation of the wound  200  with fluids such as saline, for example. 
     Vent  460  of system  400  is provided for increased air flow through bandage  410  and above wound  200  while vacuum source  16  applies suction to wound  200 . Without vent  460 , a generally closed system is created between vacuum bandage  10  and vacuum source  14 . Vent  460 , similar to vents  19 ,  119 ,  219  discussed above, acts to prevent the system  400  from becoming static by drawing air in from the surrounding atmosphere around bandage  410 . Air is drawn through vent  460  to bandage  410  to create airflow above wound  200 , through member  419 , and out through a vacuum tube  441  coupled to vacuum source  16 . A wound care technique disclosing ventilation of the wound is provided in the article “No wound is too big for resourceful nurses” by Margaret Wooding-Scott, RN, CCRN, Barbara Ann Montgomery, RN, ET, and Deborah Coleman, RN, MS, CS as published in the December 1988 edition of the magazine RN. 
     Referring now to member  419 , layer  420 , cover  422 , and connecter  423  are each made of a medical grade silicone or other type of pliable elastomer. Two companies, for example, which manufacture such medical grade silicone are GE Silicones and NuSil Technology. It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to include a member made of any suitable type of material. Illustratively, member  419  is made of material that is non-porous and non-foam-like. This thin, flexible material is also generally non-absorptive. For example, materials such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), PVC free of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP-free PVC), polyurethane, or polyethylene may be used in the manufacture of member  419 . However, as mentioned above, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a bandage having a member made of any suitable material to communicate the negative pressure from the vacuum source to the wound. Further, layer  420 , cover  422 , and connecter  423  may each be molded to include anti-microbial constituents. For example, it is within the scope of this disclosure to impregnate member  419  with silver ions which are known anti-microbials. 
     Illustratively, member  419 , including layer  420 , cover  422 , and connecter  423 , is also made of a generally non-adhesive material. Therefore, wound contacting layer  420 , which lies generally adjacent to the wound surface  413 , does not adhere to the wound surface  413 . Further, member  419  is illustratively solid in nature and generally non-compressible. Member  419  is also illustratively transparent. Therefore, a caregiver or user is able to see the wound  200  through member  419  when member  419  is placed adjacent to wound surface  413 . This transparency allows the caregiver to view the progress of the healing of the wound  200 . 
     Layer  420  includes a wound facing surface  424  and an upper or opposite surface  426 . Wound facing surface  424 , or portions thereof, contact and conform to the wound surface  413 . Opposite surface  426  includes a central area  428  and a plurality of channels  430  spaced-apart from and extending radially away from central area  428 . Central area  428  is recessed relative to the portions of upper surface  426  between channels  430 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , channels  430  are open at the sides and ends of member  419 . Opposite surface  426  further includes concentric channels  431 . Illustratively, each channel  430 ,  431  is 0.030 inch (0.762 mm) wide and 0.030 inch (0.762 mm) deep. It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, to include channels  430 ,  431  of opposite surface  426  having other suitable widths and depths suitable for the present application. Central area  428  of layer  420  is provided to communicate with the vacuum source  16  and irrigation source  18  through a port  440  of cover  422 , as will be described below. 
     Illustratively, a plurality of radially extending protrusions or bosses  432  are positioned around central area  428 . Bosses  432  are positioned between central area  428  and channels  430 ,  431 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . Bosses  432  are provided to prevent central area  428  from collapsing in on port  440  of cover  422  to form a seal and effectively block air flow through port  440  while suction is applied to the bandage  410 . Port  440  communicates with the vacuum source  16  and/or the irrigation source  18  via connecter  423  and tube  441 , as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . Tube  441  is coupled to connecter  423  by a barbed tube coupler  498 , similar to tube coupler  11  described above. Tube  441  may also be coupled directly to connecter  423 . 
     As mentioned above, port  440  is in communication with central area  428  of layer  420 . Illustratively, four bosses  432  are shown in  FIG. 29 . However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide any number of bosses  423  or the like around central area  428  of layer  420  to prevent central area  428  from sealing off port  440  of cover  422  as suction is applied to bandage  410 . Further, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a boss or bosses having any shape in order to prevent central area  428  from sealing off port  440  when vacuum source  16  is running. 
     Connecter  423 , as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30  is a tubal port coupled to a top surface  436  of cover  422  and in communication with port  440  of cover  422 . As mentioned before, it is within the scope of this disclosure for connector  423  to be a separate component of member  419  which is coupled to cover  422  or for connecter  423  to be coupled to cover  422  by being molded integrally with cover  422 . Connector  423  includes a passageway formed at a right-angle. Thus, the passageway in connecter  423  has a vertical portion  425  that communicates with port  440  and a horizontal portion  427  that communicates with vertical portion  425 . Connector  423  connects with tube  441  through the coupler  498  to provide a horizontal tube attachment for tube  441 . Cover  422  includes a bottom surface  434  and top surface  436 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . Bottom surface  434  engages opposite surface  426  of layer  420 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . 
     In some embodiments, member  419  is formed by heat sealing opposite surface  426  of layer  420  and bottom surface  434  of cover  422  together and by heat sealing connecter  423  to top surface  436  of cover  422 . For example, each of connecter  423 , cover  422  (or the combination of cover  422  and connecter  423 ), and layer  420  may be pre-shaped and formed from semi-cured silicone. Once the connecter  423 , cover  422 , and layer  420  are placed together appropriately, the entire member  419  may be heated to heat seal and cure each of the three components to one another. Alternatively, for example, the cover  422  only may be made from semi-cured silicone while the connecter  423  and layer  420  may be made from fully cured silicone. Once placed together and heated, connecter  423  and layer  420  will heat seal to cover  422 . Semi-cured silicone may be bought and pre-molded from a manufacturer such as NuSil Technology, for example. 
     Although the method of heat sealing the cover  422 , connecter, and layer  420  to each other is disclosed, it is within the scope of this disclosure to form member  419  by coupling layer  420 , cover  422 , and connector  423  together by any other suitable means such as through the use of adhesives, for example. Further, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide a member  419  where cover  422  lies adjacent to, but is not coupled to, layer  420 . 
     As mentioned above, cover  422  is coupled to layer  420  and connecter  423  is coupled to cover  422  to form member  419 . Cover  422  and layer  420  cooperate to form distinct passageways  442  of member  419  defined by channels  430 ,  431  of layer  420  and lower surface  434  of cover  422 . Passageways  442  extend from the outer edges of member  419  and are in communication with central area  428  of layer  420 . Central area  428  of layer  420  is in communication with port  440  of cover  422  which is in communication with the vacuum and/or irrigation sources  16 ,  18 , via connecter  423 , and tube  441 . Therefore, passageways  442  are in communication with the vacuum and/or irrigation sources  16 ,  18 . 
     Layer  420  includes through holes  446  which extend from channels  430 ,  431  to wound facing surface  424 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . Illustratively, holes  446  are distinct and are provided to communicate with channels  430 ,  431  of layer  420 . Holes  446  therefore communicate with passageways  442  of member  419  and the vacuum and/or irrigation sources  16 ,  18  as well to allow the suction from the vacuum source  16  and/or the fluid from the irrigation source  18  to reach the wound bed surface  413  via the holes  446 . Illustratively, holes  46  are 0.020 inch (0.508 mm) in diameter and are spaced approximately 0.500 inch (12.700 mm) apart along channels  430 ,  431  of layer  420 . It is, however, within the scope of the disclosure to include holes having other suitable sized diameters and/or other suitable spacing that allow for the removal of exudate without clogging. 
     Bandage  410  further includes a sealing layer or film  450  that is placed over cover  422  and around tube  441 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . Film  450  acts as an outer cover of the bandage  410  and covers the entire wound  412  by extending over wound  412  and attaching to the patient&#39;s healthy skin  452 , also as shown in  FIG. 30 . Preferably, film  450  is an occlusive or semi-occlusive material which allows water vapor to permeate through. Because of this characteristic, the film  450  is referred to as Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate film or MVTR film. The products TEGADERM® brand sealing film made by 3M Corporation, and OPSITE FLEXIGRID® semi-permeable dressing made by Smith &amp; Nephew can be used for film  450 , for example. Film  450  is approximately 0.003 inch (0.076 mm) thick. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include any occlusive or semi-occlusive film  450  having another thickness. Film  450  is provided to create a sealed environment below the film  450  and around the wound  200  in which a vacuum or negative pressure can be maintained as provided by vacuum source  16 . Film  450  therefore creates a vacuum space  453  below film  450  and above wound surface  413 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 30 , sealing film  450  is positioned adjacent to top surface  436  of cover  422 . It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, for bandage  410  to further include a packing material or filler such as gauze, for example, positioned between film  450  and member  419 . 
     It is also within the scope of this disclosure to provide a bandage (not shown) having a self-sealing member which seals about the wound  412  to the patient&#39;s healthy skin  27  to provide a vacuum space between the member and the wound surface  413 . In other words, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a bandage having a sealing means without the use of sealing film  450 . For example, it is within the scope of this disclosure to include a wound contacting layer of the member having an adhesive positioned about the outer perimeter of the wound contacting surface of the layer. The adhesive perimeter would be provided to seal to the patient&#39;s healthy skin  27  surrounding wound  200 . The adhesive would, therefore, permit the member to be self-sealing such that a vacuum or negative pressure can be created and maintained above wound surface  413  without the use of sealing film  450 . It is also within the scope of this disclosure to provide any member having an adhesive for attachment to the patient&#39;s healthy skin surrounding the wound so that the member is self-sealing and able to maintain a negative pressure above the wound without the use of a sealing film. For example, the wound contacting layer may be sized smaller than the cover and the bottom surface of the cover may include an outer adhesive perimeter for coupling with the patient&#39;s surrounding healthy skin. 
     As shown in  FIG. 30 , member  419  of bandage  410  has a smooth wound facing surface  424 . Wound facing surface  424  may also be textured or roughened and/or may include ribs, protrusions, channels, or spacers, or a single rib, protrusion, channel or spacer design. By providing member  419  with one or more ribs, protrusions, channels, spacers, etc., a space is created between surface  424  of layer  420  and wound surface  413 . Through holes  446  communicate with this space to permit vacuum source  16  to establish a generally uniformly distributed vacuum or negative pressure to the wound surface  413  to draw blood from the body to the wound surface  413  and to draw exudate from the wound  412  through holes  446 , into channels  430 ,  431  and passageways  442 , and out port  440  of cover  422 . 
     Although bandage  410  is described above, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the ventilated vacuum bandage system to include any suitable bandage or wound dressing member coupled to the vacuum source  16  to communicate negative pressure from the vacuum source  16  to the wound  412 . Bandage  410 , therefore, is merely an illustrative bandage for use with the wound care bandage systems disclosed herein. 
     The vacuum or negative pressure which draws blood from the body to the wound surface  413  and draws exudate from the wound  200  up through member  419  promotes the healing of wound  200 . As wound  200  heals, granulations form along the wound surface  413 . Granulations, therefore, are the replacement within the wound bed of tissue lost. As the granulations fill in the wound bed causing the wound  200  to heal, member  419  rides up on the wound surface  413  on top of the granulations which are formed. 
     As mentioned above, port  440  of cover  422  communicates with vacuum source  16  and/or irrigation source  18  via connecter  423  and tube  441 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , switch valve  455  is provided which allows the caretaker to switch between the use of the vacuum source  16  and the irrigation source  18 . It will be appreciated that a mechanism other than the switch valve  455  may be used to selectively couple the vacuum source  16  or the irrigation source  18  to the bandage  410 . Simple tube clamps, for example, may be used selectively to open and close the tube set provided with bandage  410 . When valve  455  is switched to operate the vacuum source  16 , the vacuum suction draws exudate up through holes  446  and radially inwardly through passageways  442  toward port  440  and finally through connecter  423  and tube  441 . Although tube  441  has been referred to as vacuum tube  441 , tube  441  may also be used as an irrigation tube carrying liquid to the wound  200  from irrigation source  18 , as described above. 
     As mentioned above, bandage  410  includes vent  460  similar to vents  19 ,  119 ,  219  described above. Vent  460  also operates to increase air flow through the wound  200  and the passageways  442  of member  419  while vacuum source  16  applies suction to wound  200 . Without vent  460  a generally closed system is created between vacuum bandage  410  and vacuum source  414 . For example, in bandages without vent  460 , once the requisite amount of air in the tubing  441  and below sealing film  450  within vacuum space  453  has been removed by the vacuum source  16  to create a predetermined negative pressure at wound surface  413 , it is possible for the system to become generally static inhibiting much, if any, fluid flow from wound surface  413  through passageways  442  and out port  440  and connector  423 . Vent  460 , however, opens the system to aspirate the passageways  442  and tube  41  of the system which promotes removal of debris that may be clogging the system. 
     Vent  60  acts as a first port of bandage  410  and port  440  of member  419  acts as a second port of bandage  410 . Bandage  410 , therefore, includes a first port in communication with the surrounding atmosphere above or around bandage  410  and a second port in communication with the vacuum source  16 . When vacuum source  16  is running, a pressure differential is initially created as vacuum source  16  draws more air out from beneath sealing film  450  than is drawn in from the surrounding atmosphere through vent  460 . Therefore, a negative pressure is created above wound  200 . Once a desired negative pressure above wound  200  is reached, that negative pressure may be maintained so that the amount of air flow into the bandage through vent  460  is generally equal to the amount of air flow out of the bandage  410  through connecter  423  and tube  441  by vacuum source  16 . The two ports of bandage  410  allow an air flow current to be created beneath the film  450  to generally prevent the bandage  410  and vacuum source  16  system from becoming static. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , vent  460  comprises a vent line or tube  462  having a first end  464  and an opposite second end  466 . Illustrative vent line  462  runs parallel to tube  441  and is coupled to tube  441  by one or more couplers  468 , as shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . First end  464  is positioned to lie below sealing film  450  and above member  419 . As shown in  FIG. 30 , first end  464  is adjacent top surface  436  of cover  422  and second end  466  of vent line  462  is positioned outside the vacuum space  453  defined between wound surface  413  and sealing film  450 . Thus, second end  466  communicates with the surrounding atmosphere to draw air from the surrounding atmosphere into the system and through passageways  442  of member  419 . Although vent  460  is illustrated as a tube, it is within the scope of this disclosure for vent  460  to include any type of conduit or passage which provides communication between the atmosphere surrounding the bandage  410  and the passageways  442  of the bandage  410 . 
     An air filter  470  similar to filter  34 , described above, is coupled to second end  466  of vent line  462  as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . Illustratively, air filter  470  is a 0.2 micron anti-microbial filter for preventing bacteria and other microorganisms in the atmosphere from entering the wound space below film  450 . Filter  470  is also hydrophobic. Such an air filter, for example, is made by W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. of Elkton, Md. A cap or a valve  472  is also coupled to second end  466  of vent line  462 . As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , filter  470  is positioned between end  466  and valve  472 . Valve  472  allows a user to manually control and adjust the amount of air flow into vent line  462 . For example, valve  472  is movable between a fully closed position and a fully opened position. In the fully closed position, no air flow is permitted through valve  472  and the system operates as a closed system. In the fully open position, a maximum amount of air is drawn in through the valve  472  and vent line  462  so that the system operates as an open system to aspirate the passageways  442  of member  419  and create fluid flow throughout the system. The valve  472  is also adjustable to any desired partially open position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. Therefore, the amount of air flow through vent line  462  is adjustable by the caregiver. 
     While the valve  472  is open or partially open and air is being drawn in through vent line  462 , vacuum source  16  will maintain a negative pressure under sealing film  450  while vacuum source  16  is operating. In other words, the vacuum bandage  410  and vacuum source  16  act to initially vent less air into the system than is vacuumed out of the system to create a negative pressure above the wound  200 . Once created, the negative pressure above the wound  200  is maintained by vacuum source  16  when vent line  462  is open. For example, even though vent line  462  is open, vacuum source  16  is still able to create a negative pressure above wound  200  as a result of the pneumatic resistance provided by the vent  460 . The vent line  462  and air filter  470  create pneumatic resistance to the entry of air from the surrounding atmosphere into the space  453  above the wound  200  when the valve  472  is open, thus enabling the net effect to be a negative pressure above the wound  200  created by the vacuum source  16 . In preferred embodiments, vent  460  is open or partially open while the vacuum source  16  is operating. It is within the scope of the disclosure, however, to close the vent  460  while the vacuum source is running. 
     Although vent line  462  is shown to run parallel to tube  441 , it is within the scope of this disclosure to position vent line  462  anywhere so long as first end  464  is positioned below sealing film  450  and second end  466  communicates with the surrounding atmosphere. Vent line  462  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 29-31  comprises a separate tube formed independently from tube  441  and coupled to tube  441  by couplers  468 , such as medical tape wrapped around tube  441  and vent line  462 .  FIGS. 32-33 , as well as  FIG. 4 , described above, illustrate the cross sections of various alternative vent lines and vacuum/irrigation tube combinations. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33  as well as  FIG. 4  illustrate parallel vent lines and vacuum/irrigation tubes which do not require a coupler  68 , for example, to maintain their parallel relationship. A vent line and vacuum tube combination  480  is shown in  FIG. 32 . Combination  480  includes vent line passageway  482  and vacuum/irrigation passageway  484  separated from vent line passageway  482  by a partition  486 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , combination  480  has a circular cross-section defined by an outer wall  488 . Combination  480  is extruded or manufactured as a single tube having two passages or lumens, whereas vent line  462  and tube  441  of  FIG. 31  are extruded or manufactured separately. 
     Another illustrative vent line and vacuum/irrigation tube combination  490  is shown in  FIG. 33 . In combination  490 , vent line  462  and tube  441  are integrally coupled to each other. As illustrated, vent line  462  includes an outer wall  492  and tube  441  includes an outer wall  494 . A portion of outer wall  492  is integrally coupled to a portion of outer wall  494 . An external coupler  468 , for example, is not required to maintain the parallel relationship of vent line  462  and tube  441  of combination  490 . Further, combination  490  is extruded or manufactured as a single tube having two passages or lumens. 
     Yet another illustrative vent line and vacuum/irrigation tube combination is shown in  FIG. 4  as multi-lumen tube  20  and was discussed above with reference to system  10 . Multi-lumen tube is a single multi-lumen tube having outer wall  25  and a central, inner lumen or vacuum passageway  22 . Passageway  22  may be coupled at one end to either the vacuum source  16  or the irrigation source  18  of system  410  and may be coupled at the other end to connecter  423  of member  419  via the barbed coupler  498 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and described in more detail below. As mentioned above with respect to system  10 , multi-lumen tube  20  further includes four outer lumens or air vent passageways  24 . Passageways  24  are formed within outer wall  25  and around central passageway  22 . Passageways  24  are in communication with the atmosphere surrounding bandage  410  at one end and are in communication with the vacuum space  453  below sealing film  450 . Combination  500  is also extruded or manufactured as a single tube. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , barbed tube coupler  498  is received within tube  441  and horizontal passageway  427  of connector  423 . Coupler  498  includes ridges  499  for preventing coupler  498  from separating from either tube  441  or connector  423 . The vent line and vacuum tube combinations  480 ,  490  of  FIGS. 32 and 33  as well as multi-lumen tube  20  of  FIG. 4 , are also coupled to connector  423  via coupler  498 . For example, coupler  498  is received within tube passageway  484  of vent line and vacuum tube combination  480  leaving vent line passageway  482  free to draw air into the bandage  410  from the surrounding atmosphere. Coupler  498  is also received within tube  441  of combination  490  and vacuum passageway  22  of multi-lumen tube  20 . It is within the scope of this disclosure to further include combinations  480 ,  490  where vent line passageway  482  and vent line  462  respectively, extend beyond tube passageway  484  and tube  441  to space first end  464  of vent line passageway  482  and vent line  462  away from tube passageway  484  and tube  441 . 
     Vent  460 , shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , comprises vent line  462 , filter  470 , and valve  472  as mentioned above. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to provide any vent in communication with both vacuum space  453  and passageways  442  and with the surrounding atmosphere. In other words, a vent is provided for communication between an area outside bandage  410  and an area within bandage  410  below film  450  or any other sealing means to permit air to flow through the system to aspirate the passageways  442  of the system and to allow the system to operate as an open system. The vent  460  is provided to create a fluid flow path from outside the sealing means, through the sealing means to the member  419  and finally through the holes  446  and passageways  442  of the member  419  and out port  440  of member  419 . 
     The air from vent  460  flows within the wound space  453  below film  450 , or a similar sealing means, and above wound surface  413  of wound  200 . For example, some air from the surrounding atmosphere reaches passageways  442  through openings at the peripheral edges of member  419  and some reaches passageways  442  through holes  446  via various gaps which may exist between wound surface  413  of wound  200  and wound facing surface  424  of member  419 . Further, ribs, protrusions, nubs, or texturing on wound facing surface  424  act to promote air flow through holes  446  by providing a space between wound surface  413  and wound facing surface  424 . 
     Although vent  460  is provided to create a fluid flow path from the surrounding atmosphere through the passageways  442  of member  419  and out port  440  of member  419 , it is within the scope of this disclosure for vent line  462  of vent  460  to also be used as a separate irrigation line after filter  420  and valve  472  are detached from line  462 . This second line may be connected to the irrigation source  18 , for example, rather than be exposed to the surrounding atmosphere. It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure to connect second end  466  of vent line  462  to irrigation source  18  to permit irrigation of bandage  410  and wound surface  413  simultaneously with the operation of the vacuum source  16 . 
     Although this invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.