Wearable, variable rate suction/collection device

A wearable, variable vacuum level suction and collection device for the withdrawal and collection of fluid from a patient, said device comprising:

• at least one collection receptacle including at least one patient inlet for connection to the patient, a further, suction inlet and an outlet for emptying the receptacle;
• pump means, including a pump connection to said suction inlet, for creating suction within said collection receptacle so that fluids from the patient are drawn into the collection receptacle;
• a bacterial filter, interposed between the pump and the collection receptacle, for filtering air drawn into the suction inlet;
• venting means interposed between the pump and bacterial filter for venting the device;
• a pump motor for driving said pump;
• a battery powered power supply for said pump motor;
• a transducer for sensing the suction created;
• suction level selector means for permitting an operator to select a given suction pressure within a predetermined range;
• and
• a control circuit, responsive to the transducer and to said suction level selector means, for controlling the suction created within the receptacle over said predetermined range;
• said control circuit including means for providing a selected suction pressure dead band on both sides of the selected suction pressure which defines an upper pressure limit above which the pump motor is de-energized and a lower pressure limit below which the pump motor is re-energized.