Manual negative pressure wound therapy unit PragmaVAC

Overview
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a clinical method to promote healing of open wounds by applying controlled suction to remove excess exudate and contaminants, enhance perfusion and support granulation tissue formation. NPWT is indicated for acute traumatic wounds and chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries.

What is PragmaVAC
PragmaVAC is a manual single-patient NPWT device that operates without electrical power. It delivers the therapeutic effects of NPWT with simplified operation and lower cost, and its performance has been validated in randomized clinical studies.

Technical details

• Internal manual pump activated by pressing a top button with color indicators that reflect pressure at the wound pad.
• Maximum generated negative pressure: −120 mmHg when fully activated, comparable to common powered NPWT devices.
• Exudate is transported via tubing to a canister located at the base; the canister can be emptied, cleaned and reused for the duration of a single-patient treatment.
• Integrated check valves direct fluid to the canister and prevent backflow.

Advantages / Key features

• Clinically validated: Efficacy supported by clinical studies.
• Cost-effective: Typically 3–5× lower cost compared with powered NPWT systems.
• Home use: Enables continuation of therapy outside hospital settings.
• Accelerated healing: Reported to increase healing rate (approximately 2–3× faster in studies).
• Simple operation: Manual activation suitable for healthcare professionals, caregivers and patients.
• No electricity required: Fully manual operation.
• Lightweight and portable: Designed for low-resource and home environments.

PragmaVAC in action

• Chronic wounds: Effective for diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries by promoting perfusion, granulation and continuous removal of bacteria and exudate.
• Acute wounds: Applicable to fresh traumatic wounds with tissue loss to support faster healing and reduce complications.

How to use (summary of steps)

• Step 1: Connect — Apply the foam dressing to the wound and attach the PragmaVAC tubing to the dressing.
• Step 2: Activate — Press the top button repeatedly until the color indicators show the established negative pressure.
• Step 3: Treat — Verify the foam dressing has contracted and allow therapy to proceed.
• Step 4: Re-press — If the red indicator appears, press again; periodic re-activation (e.g., every few hours) can be normal.
• Step 5: Clean — When fluid accumulates in the canister, empty and rinse it; the canister is intended to be cleaned and reused for the same patient.

Technical specifications

• Pump type: Manual internal pump activated via top button with color indicators.
• Peak negative pressure: −120 mmHg (fully pressed).
• Exudate collection: Removable canister, cleanable and reusable during single-patient therapy.
• Fluid control: Check valves to prevent backflow.
• Power: Manual — no electrical power required.
• Portability: Lightweight; suitable for home and low-resource settings.
• Dressing change interval: Typically every 3–5 days if no complications.
• Unit weight: Approximately 400 g with empty canister.
• Safety notes: Do not leave the dressing without effective suction for more than ~2 hours. Device contains metal parts and may interfere with certain radiological procedures.