Apparatus is disclosed for applying negative pressure to a wound site to
promote healing. The apparatus includes a porous pad for application to
the wound, a suction tube linking the porous pad to a source of negative
pressure, a container for collecting fluid exudate from the wound
interposed between the porous pad and the source of negative pressure and
a quick disconnect connector linking a first section of the suction tube
leading to the porous pad with a second section leading to the container,
said connector comprising two separable and non-interchangeable parts,
said first section of the suction tube comprising a multi-lumen tube, one
lumen being provided for applying suction to the porous pad and another
being provided for monitoring pressure, said multi-lumen tube being
fixedly attached at one end to the container and at the other end to one
of said separable parts, said one separable part including sealing means
whereby the lumens are connected in air-tight manner to said second
section of the suction tube.