Manually-actuated, reduced-pressure systems for treating wounds

A method of manufacturing a manually-actuated, reduced-pressure apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a carrier member including a slider member opening;
• inserting a flexible, collapsible member into the carrier member, wherein the flexible, collapsible member has a first end, a second end, and an interior space and is moveable between a compressed position and an extended position;
• inserting a constant-force biasing member into the carrier member, wherein the constant-force biasing member is operable to provide a constant force through a range of motion of the constant-force biasing member;
• inserting a slider member into the carrier member, wherein at least a portion of the slider member is configured to extend out of the carrier member through the slider member opening;
• coupling the first end of the flexible, collapsible member to a base member;
• coupling the base member to the carrier member;
• coupling the second end of the flexible, collapsible member to the slider member;
• forming an evacuation port on the flexible, collapsible member for allowing fluid to exit the interior space of the flexible, collapsible member when being placed in the compressed position;
• and
• forming a reduced-pressure port on the flexible, collapsible member for delivering a reduced pressure from the flexible, collapsible member.

A method of treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure, the method comprising the steps of:

• deploying a manifold member proximate the tissue site;
• deploying a sealing member over the manifold member and a portion of an epidermis to form a fluid seal;
• coupling a reduced-pressure interface on the sealing member for providing reduced pressure to the manifold member;
• providing a reduced-pressure source, wherein the reduced-pressure source comprises a manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure source for generating a reduced-pressure, wherein the manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure source has a reduced-pressure port, wherein the reduced-pressure port is fluidly coupled to a first end of a reduced-pressure delivery member and is operable to develop a substantially constant reduced-pressure, wherein a carrier member houses the manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure source, a slider member, and a constant-force biasing member, the carrier member including a slider member opening, wherein the constant-force biasing member is configured to provide a constant force through a range of motion of the constant-force biasing member, and wherein the constant-force biasing member is configured to urge at least a portion of the slider member out of the carrier member through the slider member opening;
• fluidly coupling the reduced-pressure source to the reduced-pressure interface;
• and
• moving the manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure source to a compressed position to charge the constant-force biasing member.