Systems and methods for detecting operational conditions of reduced pressure therapy

A method of operating an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound, the method comprising:

• providing negative pressure from a negative pressure source, via a fluid flow path, to a wound covered by a wound dressing;
• at a first time:
• detecting a blockage in the fluid flow path based on an activity level of the negative pressure source;
• and
• in response to detecting the blockage in the fluid flow path, providing a first indication that the blockage is present in the fluid flow path;
• and
• at a second time:
• detecting presence of blood in the fluid flow path based on a pressure monitored in the fluid flow path and the activity level of the negative pressure source;
• and
• in response to detecting the presence of blood in the fluid flow path, providing a second indication that blood is present in the fluid flow path.