What are your key challenges in selecting an adhesive?
Comfort
Continuous innovation in the field of materials science has led to the development of high-quality adhesives that ensure patient comfort without compromising efficacy.
Ensuring comfort while selecting adhesives for medical wearable devices centers on achieving a positive experience for the user. The adhesive must securely attach the device for the duration of the usage time while minimizing discomfort or pain upon removal. This challenge involves selecting materials that provide a secure hold without creating excessive tension or pressure on the skin's surface.
The adhesive should accommodate the skin's natural movements and flexibilities while preventing any pulling or stretching that could lead to discomfort. Comfort is a crucial consideration, especially for devices intended for long-term wear or for users with sensitive skin, as those applications can cause adhesive trauma.
Silicone adhesives, for example, renowned for their gentle release properties, have revolutionized medical device applications by improving patient comfort compared to more traditional adhesives. This high-quality material may serve as a component in the development of sensors for neonates, providing a-traumatic removal for the most sensitive skin. While the gentle nature of silicone gel is a user benefit, it typically does not have the bonding performance of acrylic adhesives.