What are your key challenges in selecting an adhesive?
Bonding to various substrates
Medical devices composed of various substrates require adhesives that do not only offer biocompatibility and skin safety, but also a secure bond across the different types of surfaces.
The diversity of materials used in medical devices, from plastics and metals to silicone and textiles, necessitates an adhesive that can form a durable bond across these different surfaces while meeting medical standards for biocompatibility and skin safety. If a device is made of low surface energy materials (like polyurethane or silicone), the adhesive requirements can be more challenging in comparison to devices with high surface energy material (like PET or polycarbonate).
Effectively bonding the device to the skin adhesive is crucial for patient comfort and stable physiological monitoring. Poor adhesion to the skin decreases the device’s surface area for signal collection, disrupting consistent signal acquisition. Furthermore, the choice between permanent and removable adhesives impacts not only the device's functionality and longevity but also the user's ease of use, particularly in how easily the device can be applied and removed without leaving residue or causing skin damage.
Navigating these requirements involves a delicate balance, aiming to achieve optimal performance and user experience in the final product.