Originally Published MPMN January 2005

SPOTLIGHT

Adhesives

Pressure-sensitive tape adhesives

A company manufactures adhesives that are suitable for use in medical devices such as pressure-sensitive tapes. Nonwoven materials coated with these adhesives are strong yet easy to tear and can be flexible or rigid. The adhesives can also be used with films such as breathable polyethylenes and polyurethanes, foams that have qualities like those of polyethylene and polyurethane, and strong elastic and nonelastic woven fabrics. The products can be customized to customer specifications. Applications include wound dressings, tapes, surgical products, diagnostic devices, ostomy products, electrodes, and IV devices. Alpharma A/S, Vennesla, Norway www.norgesplaster.com

Two-component epoxy adhesive

A USP Class VI–compliant two-component epoxy adhesive can withstand repeated cycles of steam, ethylene oxide, radiation, and chemical sterilization. The EP62-1Med cures at temperatures ranging from 150° to 200°F and has a long working life at room temperature. It contains no solvents or volatiles and has a 100:10 mix ratio by weight. Capable of bonding to metals, glass, ceramics, wood, and most plastics, the adhesive is durable and serviceable up to 400°F. Shrinkage upon cure is less than 0.06%. The product is available in a variety of quantities as well as in gun applicators. Master Bond Inc., Hackensack, NJ www.masterbond.com

Adhesive laminates

A company offers foams, polyesters, polyurethanes, nonwovens, and a variety of other custom-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive laminates. Specialty laminates are contract manufactured under pharmaceutical GMP conditions and available to the medical device industry. The products can be made to customer specifications. LTS Corp., West Caldwell, NJ
www.ltslohmann.com

Dispensing systems

Easy-to-use, resealable dispensers such as small squeeze tubes and cart-mounted, automated systems preserve unused adhesives until the next application. Providing ratio control and safety, Dev-Tube dispensing cartridges hold 25 mm of two-component adhesive. The Mark 5 System accurately mixes as it dispenses resin and activator from the firm’s 50-ml cartridges, which fit into manual or pneumatic applicator guns. Larger dispensing guns accept 400-ml cartridges, and an automated meter-mix dispensing system can handle 5-gal pails or 55-gal drums. Adhesives can be customized according to color, open or fixture times, and cure speeds. Devcon, Danvers, MA www.devcon.com

Acrylic adhesive

A light-curable acrylic adhesive is used for bonding needles, syringes, and other stainless-steel cannulae to polycarbonate, PVC, and polypropylene hubs. Producing clear, high-strength bonds with minimal variation in tensile strength values, 1193-M-VLV has low viscosity for quick, air-free dispensing into needle-hub cavities. It can cure in less than a second when exposed to high-intensity UV light, making it suitable for high-speed, high-volume automated syringe assembly. The ISO 10993–compatible adhesive is suitable for use in elution, systemic injection, intracutaneous applications, implantation, and hemolysis. Dymax, Torrington CT www.dymax.com

UV-curable adhesive

A UV-curable, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) offers the printing flexibility of an additive process. Electrodag PM-030 provides customers a printable PSA option without the problems associated with using solvent-based products. Providing a long pot life and an environmentally friendly, nonvolatile-organic-compound system, it allows printers to achieve high film build and fast processing speeds. Acheson Colloids Co., Port Huron, MI www.achesonindustries.com

Ostomy adhesives

A line of pH-balanced custom ostomy adhesives offers durability and peelability. The adhesives are individually formulated for a range of applications, including colostomy and ileostomy bags. Features of the adhesives include long tack and wear times even in wet applications, fluid stability, and low skin irritability. The level of adhesion to skin can be precisely controlled, and alginates are incorporated into the adhesives to stabilize the fluid-handling properties and provide sodium or calcium exchange. GriggSmith Industries, Richmond, IN www.griggsmith.com

Syringe barrels

Available in 3-, 5-, 10-, 30-, and 55-cm3 configurations, silicone-free syringe barrels are used with standard air-powered dispensers. The dark amber–colored devices protect a wide range of UV- and light-sensitive adhesives by blocking wavelengths between 240 and 550 nm. Their translucent design keeps adhesives from curing prematurely and allows users to monitor adhesive levels and check for bubbles. Double-wiper pistons prevent drips and eliminate waste by wiping syringe walls clean as the adhesive is dispensed. EFD Inc., East Providence, RI www.efd-inc.com/medical

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