Patent ID: 8409159

Claim:
A method of applying reduced pressure therapy to an area of skin, comprising: grasping a first tab and a second tab coupled to an elastic element; pulling the first and second tabs away from one another to stretch the elastic element and to place the elastic element in a state of tension; positioning the first tab on a first side of an incision and the second tab on a second side of the incision opposite the first side; attaching the elastic element to a surface of the skin while maintaining the elastic element in the state of tension and such that the elastic element extends across and over a longitudinal axis of the incision; releasing tension in the elastic element so that the elastic element exerts a force on the skin that draws opposed skin edges of the incision toward one another; forming a sealed space around at least a portion of the incision in the area of skin; reducing pressure within the sealed space to expose the incision to reduced pressure.