The composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a vacuum pump. In one embodiment, the device holds and secures the front wheel of a bicycle that has been removed from the bicycle’s front fork for use when transporting the bicycle on a rooftop carrier of an automobile. The wall defines a pressure sensing chamber operable to cooperate with a pressure coupler having a profile that sealingly engages the wall. The first light-emitting element 120 exhibits a light emission spectrum having two peaks and is disposed close to a film of light-reflecting material. The system and associated electric fields along any given conductor are radially and longitudinally symmetrical. The method uses a pasty or liquid joint filling mixture of alkali metal silicate binder and powder components.