Apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a woundsite is described, the apparatus comprising:awound contacting element for retaining wound exudate fluid therein awoundcovering element that provides a substantiallyairtight seal over the wound contacting element and wound site a vacuumconnection tube connecting a wound cavityto a vacuumsourceand a vacuum source connected to adistal end of the vacuum connectiontube.