A system for providing a force to a desired area on a curved body part of a person includes a dressing assembly shaped and configured to be placed on the desired area of the person, a releaseable circumferential member surrounding the curved body part that holds the dressing assembly against the desired area, a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the dressing assembly and the person's skin, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing a reduced pressure to the dressing assembly. When reduced pressure is supplied, the system generates the force against the desired area on the curved body part.

A tattoo aftercare assembly comprises an air-permeable transparent film such that the tattoo is visible through the film when applied thereto. The assembly further includes a carrier layer configured to be removable from the film. An adhesive is applied between the film and the carrier layer. A backing cover is positioned on an opposite side of the film than the carrier layer. The film and carrier layers are slightly narrower and shorter than the backing cover such that the backing cover is easily removable from the film. The film is configured for application over a newly-created tattoo for at least 12 hours, preferably up to 3 days.

Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.

A bandage comprising a base substrate, a wound covering portion, a first side coupling member and a second side coupling member, and a first side and second side adhesive portion. The base substrate includes a central region, a first side region and a second side region, and comprises an elastic member. The wound covering portion is positioned over the central region. The first side coupling member extends over the first side region. The second side coupling member extending over the second region. The first side adhesive portion is positioned on the first side region. The second side adhesive portion positioned on the second side region. A method of use as well as a protective carrier are likewise disclosed.

A closing dressing bolster and assembly for use with a system for treating a linear wound on a patient includes a bolster body formed from a flexible closing bolster material having closing members that are operable to develop an inward closing force when the closing dressing bolster is placed under reduced pressure. In one aspect, when the closing dressing bolster is under reduced pressure, the system, dressing, or assembly develops an inward force realized at the linear wound and a compression force. A wicking-material holder and wicking material may be used as well. The member components may all be see-through to allow visual inspection of the wound without requiring removal of the dressing.

A combination protective carrier and mechanical coupling system for utilization in association with manufacturing of a bandage. The protective carrier includes a base with opposing sidewalls, cooperatively defining a channel. The protective carrier is elongated and structurally configured to be rolled onto itself. The mechanical coupling system has a base with a plurality of gripping structures. The gripping structures remain within the channel defined by the protective carrier. The mechanical coupling system is positioned within the protective carrier, and rolled onto itself.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.

A combination protective carrier and mechanical coupling system for utilization in association with manufacturing of a bandage. The protective carrier includes a base with opposing sidewalls, cooperatively defining a channel. The protective carrier is elongated and structurally configured to be rolled onto itself. The mechanical coupling system has a base with a plurality of gripping structures. The gripping structures remain within the channel defined by the protective carrier. The mechanical coupling system is positioned within the protective carrier, and rolled onto itself.

A bandage for treating a wound includes a carrier plate and a peripheral support to affix to skin area surrounding a wound. The carrier plate and the peripheral support define an enclosure encompassing the wound and provide access to the wound for monitoring and treatment.