TASA™ vs. Traditional Hydrocolloids: A Detailed Comparison

Thickness and Conformability

Standard hydrocolloids typically range from 0.3mm to 1.5mm in thickness, approximately 3-15 times thicker than TASA™. This substantial difference impacts several aspects of performance and patient experience. Traditional hydrocolloid alternatives often create noticeable bulges under clothing and can feel heavy or cumbersome on the skin. Their thickness also limits application on contoured body areas like joints, facial regions, or between digits.

In contrast, TASA™ at just 0.12mm provides a low-profile solution that conforms naturally to body contours, making it suitable for challenging anatomical locations including facial applications such as acne patches. Its thinness also reduces the sensation of wearing a dressing, improving patient compliance particularly in visible areas or in pediatric applications.

Transparency and Monitoring

Unlike opaque traditional hydrocolloids that completely obscure the wound bed, TASA™ maintains transparency throughout use. This feature eliminates the need for dressing removal to assess healing progress, a significant advantage that reduces both disruption to the healing environment and nursing time. For wounds requiring frequent monitoring this transparency enables clinicians to quickly assess tissue condition without disturbing the wound bed.

Fluid Handling Mechanisms

Traditional hydrocolloids form a characteristic gel when absorbing fluid, which often results in messy residue upon removal and can be mistaken for infection by patients unfamiliar with this property. The gel formation also causes the dressing to swell substantially, further increasing bulk and potentially creating pressure on wound edges.

TASA™ uses a different fluid handling mechanism that combines absorption with moisture vapor transmission (MVTR). Instead of forming a bulky gel, it manages exudate efficiently through this dual process, which minimizes swelling and maintains a cleaner interface with the wound and surrounding skin. This simplifies dressing changes and reduces patient anxiety about wound appearance.  

TASA™: Revolutionary Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive Transforming Wound Care and Wearable Devices

TASA™ technology combines the benefits of hydrocolloids with the thinness of acrylics, creating an ultra-thin, transparent solution for advanced wound management and extended-wear medical devices, addressing longstanding challenges in moisture control and patient comfort.

For healthcare professionals and patients alike, finding the right balance between effective moisture management and comfortable, secure adhesion has long been a challenge in wound care. Avery Dennison Medical's proprietary Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive (TASA™) technology offers an innovative solution that bridges this gap, providing significant advantages for both wound care applications and medical wearable devices.

What Makes TASA™ Different?

TASA™ stands apart as an innovative adhesive platform that combines complementary properties. This advanced Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive merges the absorptive capabilities of hydrocolloids with the thinness, transparency, breathability and secure adhesion of acrylics, features that are valuable when combined in a single material.

At an ultra-thin 0.12mm (0.05 inch) profile, TASA™ provides excellent conformability that adapts seamlessly to the body's natural contours and movements. Unlike traditional hydrocolloid alternatives that often bulk up when absorbing fluid, TASA™ maintains its thin profile even when saturated, making it ideal for applications where discretion and comfort are paramount.

An important feature of TASA™ is that it remains transparent even when exposed to moisture, allowing for wound visualization without dressing removal, a capability that traditional hydrocolloid alternatives typically don't offer. This transparency helps healthcare providers monitor healing progress while minimizing disruption to the healing environment.

The physical properties of TASA™ include a balanced MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) that allows appropriate moisture exchange while maintaining barrier protection. Its elastic modulus enables it to stretch and conform with skin movement, reducing edge lift and extending wear time. The material's low profile reduces catching on clothing or bedding, addressing a common issue with thicker hydrocolloid dressings that can create pressure points or dislodge during daily activities.

Performance Characteristics

The Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive technology demonstrates notable performance across several critical parameters. Despite its ultra-thin profile, TASA™ efficiently manages wound exudate, helping maintain an optimal moist wound healing environment while preventing maceration of surrounding skin. The advanced moisture management capabilities of TASA™ contribute to wear times of up to 7 days in appropriate applications, reducing the frequency of dressing changes.

TASA™ allows efficient water vapor exchange through a high Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) while maintaining a bacterial barrier, supporting proper skin respiration during extended wear. The material easily adapts to challenging anatomical contours and accommodates body movement, making it suitable for difficult-to-dress locations. This adaptability makes it particularly effective for applications like acne patches and leg ulcer patches where conformability is essential. Additionally, TASA™ provides secure adhesion during wear yet removes cleanly without damaging fragile healing tissue or compromising skin integrity.

Versatile Applications Across Wound Care Spectrum

As a versatile hydrocolloid alternative, TASA™ addresses the needs of diverse wound care scenarios:

Common TASA™ Applications

• Minor wounds and abrasions: TASA™ provides balanced moisture and protection while allowing visual assessment of healing

• Burns (superficial and partial thickness): The thin profile minimizes pressure on sensitive burned tissue while managing exudate

• Surgical incisions and post-operative care: Transparency allows for early detection of signs of infection without dressing removal

• Skin graft donor sites: Gentle adhesion protects newly harvested areas while maintaining optimal moisture levels

• Skin tears, particularly in patients with fragile skin: Low-profile design reduces shear forces that could exacerbate tears

• Acne patches (matte variant particularly suited for this purpose): Discreet appearance makes them suitable for facial application

Other applications include chronic wounds like pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers by reducing pressure while handling light to moderate exudate. Specialized applications for TASA™ could also extend to sacral wounds, fungating wounds requiring gentle management, and secondary dressing over full-thickness wounds. The thin profile allows for visual inspection while providing secure fixation and creating a good healing environment across various wound types.

Beyond Wound Care: TASA™ in Wearable Devices

The unique properties of TASA™ can make it valuable for medical wearable device applications. The technology addresses several critical challenges in this rapidly growing field. The ultra-thin profile and breathability of TASA™ enhance patient comfort during multi-day wear periods. For devices worn in high-moisture environments or by patients with hyperhidrosis, TASA™ efficiently manages moisture that could otherwise compromise adhesion and start irritating due to the blocked moisture between skin and wearable device.

TASA™ maintains reliable adhesion even when challenged by incontinence, friction, and shear forces, while its moisture-handling properties help prevent maceration and skin irritation during up to 7 days of wear.

The technology finds particular value in glucose monitors, vital sign sensors, and other medical monitoring devices where extended wear periods of up to 7 days are essential for capturing meaningful data while maintaining patient comfort. The same principles that make TASA™ effective in managing exudate in leg ulcer patches also help it handle moisture in wearable device applications, demonstrating its versatility across healthcare needs.

The Science Behind TASA™

What makes Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive effective is its thoughtful design that combines acrylic adhesive with hydrocolloid components. This proprietary formulation works through complementary properties: The acrylic components provide secure adhesion, thin profile, and transparency alongside evaporation properties. The hydrocolloid elements deliver good absorption and moisture management capabilities. The combined formulation brings optimal fluid handling capacity from the best of both elements.

Unlike traditional hydrocolloid alternatives that typically become opaque and swell significantly when absorbing fluid, TASA™ maintains transparency and a consistent profile. This development builds on Avery Dennison's 50 years of experience in medical adhesive technologies and materials science.

Clinical Advantages of TASA™

Healthcare professionals increasingly recognize the clinical benefits of incorporating TASA™ into their wound care protocols. The transparency allows for wound visualization without dressing removal, reducing disruption to the healing process. The ultra-thin, highly conformable profile minimizes awareness of the dressing, improving compliance and quality of life. Extended wear times reduce the frequency of dressing changes. The versatility of TASA™ across multiple wound types can streamline inventory management and treatment protocols. For challenging applications like leg ulcer patches, TASA™ provides effective exudate management while maintaining skin integrity around the wound.

Customer-Driven Innovation

Avery Dennison Medical developed TASA™ in response to market needs for thinner, more comfortable hydrocolloid alternatives that maintain effectiveness. The popularity of consumer products like acne patches has demonstrated the demand for discreet, effective adhesive solutions, which TASA™ addresses with its unique properties. This patient-focused approach reflects the company's commitment to advancing wound and skin care through materials science.

TASA™ continues to evolve, with ongoing research and development focused on expanding its applications and enhancing its performance. As part of Avery Dennison Medical's comprehensive wound care portfolio, TASA™ brings together advanced materials science and practical clinical insights.

For healthcare professionals seeking effective solutions for wound management or medical device manufacturers looking to enhance wearable comfort and reliability, Thin Absorbent Skin Adhesive (TASA™) offers a practical option that combines useful properties of multiple technologies in a single, advanced material.

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