See-through, reduced-pressure dressings and systems

A see-through dressing assembly for use with a reduced-pressure system for treating a linear wound on a patient, the see-through dressing assembly comprising:

• a closing dressing bolster for providing a closing force when under reduced pressure, the closing dressing bolster comprising:
• a top wall,
• a bottom wall, the top wall and bottom wall are coupled in a spaced relationship, the bottom wall having a center portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion,
• a first closing member formed on the first lateral portion, and
• a second closing member formed on the second lateral portion;
• a sealing member for covering the closing dressing bolster and providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster;
• wherein the closing dressing bolster and sealing member are formed from see-through materials sufficient to allow perception of color from a point external to the see-through dressing assembly;
• and
• wherein the geometry of the closing dressing bolster causes a bending moment to develop about the center portion when the closing dressing bolster is subject to reduced pressure, the bending moment causing the first closing member and second closing member to develop the closing force, and the closing force being directed downward and inward relative to the linear wound.