The role of topical negative pressure (TNP) in the closure of acute wounds has become a new and dynamic area of research in medicine. Clinicians have to date been using continuous or intermittently applied therapy, with little scientific evidence to demonstrate the difference between them. Variable TNP combines the positive effects of continuous and intermittent to produce an optimal environment of sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound bed. Through experience with a new device, the Atmos pump, this paper demonstrates the advantages of this new technique.