Patent ID: 8235955

Claim:
An apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing a wound, comprising: a fluid flow path, comprising: a conformable wound dressing, having a backing layer which is capable of forming a relatively fluid-tight seal or closure over a wound, thereby creating a space between the wound and the backing layer, an inlet pipe in fluid communication with the space between the wound and the backing layer to allow irrigation of the wound; and an outlet pipe in communication with the space between the wound and the backing layer to allow aspiration of the wound; a fluid reservoir that, in use, provides an irrigation fluid directly or indirectly to the inlet pipe; a first device for directly or indirectly moving fluid through the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe; a first regulator for directly or indirectly regulating fluid moving through the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe; and a second device for moving fluid through the other of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe as compared to the first device and/or a second regulator for regulating fluid moving through the other of the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe as compared to the first regulator; means for applying stress to the wound bed and/or tissue surrounding the wound comprising at least one expandable and contractible fluid-inflatable body capable of applying pressure to the wound bed; wherein: the fluid-inflatable body comprises an inflation inlet, is partially filled with an elastically resilient material, such as an elastomeric foam, and defines a sealed space in communication with the inflation inlet.