Reduced-pressure, linear-wound treatment systems

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient, the system comprising:

• a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, the closing dressing bolster having:
• a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and
• a plurality of triangle-shaped ridges on each side of a central portion of the second, inward-facing side of the closing dressing bolster,
• wherein the triangle-shaped ridges are operable to contract under reduced pressure;
• a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient;
• a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem;
• and
• wherein the reduced pressure subsystem is operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient, the system comprising:

• a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, the closing dressing bolster comprising:
• a bolster body formed from a flexible bolster material and formed with a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the bolster body has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and includes a central portion of the bolster body and wherein the first side is on one side of the central portion and the second side on the other side of the central portion,
• a first closing member formed on the first lateral side of the second, inward facing side of the bolster body,
• a second closing member formed on the second lateral side of the second, inward facing side of the bolster body,
• wherein the first closing member has at least one surface formed with an oblique angle to a center plane between the first closing member and the second closing member, and
• wherein the second closing member has at least one surface formed with an oblique angle to the center plane;
• a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster, the sealing subsystem having an over-drape that extends over the closing dressing bolster and a sealing apparatus for providing a seal between a patient's epidermis and the over-drape;
• a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem, the reduced-pressure subsystem having a reduced pressure source for providing a reduced pressure, a reduced-pressure interface coupled to the sealing subsystem, and a reduced-pressure delivery conduit for providing reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source to the reduced-pressure interface;
• wherein the reduced pressure subsystem is operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster;
• and
• wherein the closing dressing bolster, sealing subsystem, and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to develop a directed force realized at the linear wound and to deliver a reduced pressure to the linear wound.