Material Selection the Available Options
Material selection, when selecting the most appropriate adhesive tape or interface material, careful consideration must be given to ensure the correct product is specified. We show here some of the parameters that need to be identified.
Medical adhesive tape, Required Qualities:
- Biocompatible, non-irritating, non-toxic, direct skin contact
- Varying levels of conformability on skin
- Different levels of water resistance
- Different levels of breathability
Types of medical adhesives, 4 kinds: acrylates, rubber based, silicone, polymer blends
Challenges of the skin:
- Topography
- Lipids
- Contamination (oils, perspiration, dead skin cells, hairs)
- Movement
- Skin variability
What to consider when choosing a medical PSA:
- Target audience/ patients
- Application duration
- Physical requirements: mechanical strength, thickness, colour, adhesion strength.
- Contact with other materials
- Removal from sensitive skin can be painful ; need to select appropriate type of adhesive.
Different substrates/ backings:
- Polyethylene (PE), Polyurethane (PU), Polyester (PET).
- Woven & Non-Woven fibers (Polyester, Rayon/Polyester)
- Foam tapes – Polyethylene, Polyurethane (PU), or PVC foam
Aspects to consider when choosing a tape backing: softness, elasticity / conformability, porosity, easy tear.
