Patent ID: 8439894

Claim:
A negative pressure bandage connectable to a vacuum pump to create a vacuum for the collection of fluids from an open wound, comprising: an outer housing having an adhesive sealing portion extending around the perimeter of said housing; a lower fluid collection chamber surrounded by said sealing portion and having a wound contact member; an upper fluid storage chamber separated from said lower fluid collection chamber by a panel formed of gas and liquid impermeable material, said upper fluid storage chamber including a connection port having a fluid impermeable filter positioned to prevent the passage of fluids from said upper storage chamber through said connection port so that fluids collected from said lower fluid collection chamber are retained in said upper fluid storage chamber; and a vacuum port connected in flow communication with said lower fluid collection chamber, said vacuum port being operably connected to said vacuum pump to apply a vacuum to said lower fluid collection chamber for the collect and extract fluids therefrom, said collected fluids being delivered to said upper fluid storage chamber to extract said collected fluids from said lower fluid collection chamber away from said open wound, said vacuum port being connected to said vacuum pump mounted within said outer housing to collect fluids from said lower chamber and discharge the collected fluids into said upper chamber, said panel including a pressure relief port to allow air to move from said upper storage chamber into said lower fluid collection chamber.