Patent ID: 8240470

Claim:
A carrying case and handle for a portable negative pressure therapy apparatus comprising an upper portion and a lower portion separable from the upper portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a pump having a plurality of controls and indicators for operating the pump and the lower portion comprises a waste canister, the carrying case comprising: a pouch configured to enclose the apparatus, the pouch comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side, and a right side; a lower opening in the lower portion of the pouch, the lower opening configured to permit insertion of the apparatus; a closure configured to close the lower opening and to prevent the apparatus from being displaced from the pouch, wherein the lower portion comprises an aperture that remains open between an interior and an exterior of the pouch after the closure closes the lower opening; a substantially clear first window panel on a front face of the upper portion configured to permit viewing of at least some of the plurality of controls and indicators; a first flap attached to the pouch, the first flap configured to cover the first window panel and to be moved to permit viewing of at least a portion of the first window panel; a substantially clear second window panel on a front face of the lower portion configured to permit viewing of at least a portion of the canister; a second flap attached to the pouch, the second flap configured to cover the second window panel and to be moved to permit viewing of at least a portion of the second window panel; a left opening located on the left side pouch; and a right opening located on the right side of the pouch; and said handle configured to be directly attached to the upper portion of the apparatus by being passed through the left opening and the right opening; wherein, with the apparatus placed within the pouch with the handle attached thereto, the case is configured to permit removal of the lower portion of the apparatus while the upper portion of the apparatus continues to be substantially enclosed in the pouch.