Spotlight on Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

March 1, 1998

5 Min Read
MDDI logo in a gray background | MDDI

Spotlight
on Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

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Medical component converting

Medical-grade PSAs are die-cut for use in device components at a company's GMP-compliant facility. Such capabilities as die-cutting, laminating, printing, slitting, and sheeting allow for functional handling of multiple webs. Pressure-sensitive foams, films, nonwovens, and foil laminations can be converted for use in wound- and burn-care dressings; grounding pads and electrodes; diagnostics; IV administration; urological, ostomy, and personal-care products; and transdermal applications. Promedicon, 905 Pennsylvania Blvd., Feasterville, PA 19053.


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Pressure-sensitive adhesives

A manufacturer's pressure-sensitive adhesives are used for bonding devices such as electrodes to the skin. The company has developed noncurable PSAs dispersed in three different solvents: ethyl acetate; 1,1,1 trichloroethane; and hexamethyldisiloxane. The dispersion is applied either to the skin or the device. The solvent evaporates, leaving a tacky silicone layer that can be adhered to another object. The company has also developed a curable, cross-linking PSA that cures to a solvent-resistant tacky coating. Nusil Technology, 1050 Cindy Ln., Carpinteria, CA 93013.


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PSA products

Nearly 30 standard products specifically designed for use in diagnostic, medical device, and wound-care applications are offered to meet the demand for medical-grade pressure- sensitive adhesives. The manufacturer specializes in the development of custom PSA tapes for new or unique applications. One of the standard products, ARcare 8383, is suitable for wound-care applications that call for an acrylic PSA tape with a low moisture-vapor transmission rate. ARcare 8544 can increase the speed of diagnostic testing; using the manufacturer's MA-54 adhesive, this product increases lateral flow, providing faster results and improving user satisfaction. Adhesive Research Inc., P.O. Box 100, Glen Rock, PA 17327.


Enhancer-compatible PSA

A high-performance PSA for transdermal drug-delivery systems uses an enhancer-compatible component. This special component resists detackifying effects of certain enhancers by preventing their excessive migration to the bond interface. Furthermore, the Duro-Tak 87-4677 adhesive's high molecular weight and other characteristics allow the polymer to resist the plasticizing effects of various enhancers. National Starch & Chemical Co., P.O. Box 6500, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.


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PSA components

A contract manufacturer of PSA components specializes in flexographic printing, precision rotary and flat-bed die-cutting, multilayer lamination, island placement, design and prototyping, subassemblies, and packaging. The company converts nonsensitizing adhesive-coated papers, films, foils, nonwovens, foams, fabrics, hydrocolloids, mineral oil polymers, and hydrogels. Applications include ECG, EMG, EEG, TENS, iontophoresis, wound care, catheter securement, laparoscopy, cardiac stimulation, and oximetry/gas monitoring. Acutek, 540 N. Oak St., Inglewood, CA 90302


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Custom PSA components/assemblies

A company offers custom PSA components and assemblies. Its capabilities include rotary and reciprocating die-cutting, laminating, slitting, level winding, and custom-sterilizable packaging in a cleanroom environment. The company is ISO 9001 and EN 46001 certified. It has experience sourcing PSA films, foils, and double- and single-coated foams, as well as conductive adhesives, hydrogels, and hydrocolloids. Its technical development functions include prototyping, short clinical evaluation runs, design of experiments, process validation, and first-article capabilities to support customers throughout the design and regulatory approval phases and into full production. Tapemark Medical Fabricating Div., 1685 Marthaler Ln., West St. Paul, MN 55118.


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Medical foam tapes

Pressure-sensitive foam tapes are designed for the manufacture of medical devices such as electrodes and grounding pads. The Bioflex Rx216V and Rx232V incorporate soft, closed-cell polyethylene foams that are from 1/16 to 1/32 in. thick. The foam is designed for comfort, conformity to body contours, and repellency against liquids such as water and sweat. The polyethylene foam is coated on one side with a nonsensitizing acrylic adhesive that is formulated to provide good adhesion to human skin and yet remove easily without causing skin trauma. The tapes are covered with a heavy lay-flat release liner that aids in die-cutting operations. Scapa Tapes/Coating Sciences Inc., 111 Great Pond Dr., Windsor, CT 06095.


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PSAs and other products

A company specializing in die-cutting, laminating, slitting, and converting manufactures pressure-sensitive adhesives, foams, foils, conductive and antistatic materials, and more. Its manufacturing facility is capable of meeting demanding production requirements from clinical trials to mass production. The company offers an experienced engineering and technical staff and is ISO 9000 certified and FDA registered. Pacific Die Cut Industries, 3399 Arden Rd., Hayward, CA 94545.


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Medical adhesive systems

A company supplies wound- care, transdermal, electromedical, ostomy, diagnostic, and surgical drape markets with pressure-sensitive fastening and bonding systems. Medical-grade adhesive formulations are supplied as foam tapes, film tapes, nonwoven tapes, unsupported transfer tapes, and double-coated film tapes. Its research and development staff includes polymer scientists, chemists, and chemical engineers. They understand the manufacturing and converting operations and can help design a product that will run smoothly on a client's equipment and streamline production. Avery Dennison, Specialty Tape Div., 250 Chester St., #5M, Painesville, OH 44077.


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Wound-care products

Rotary die-cutting, laminating, printing, and packaging are offered by a contract manufacturer of medical disposable components and finished devices. Some of the materials processed include hydrogels, nonwovens, films, foams, adhesives, and many other nonmetallic materials. Finished devices such as island dressings, hydrogel dressings, and other wound-care products are offered. The company also offers flatbed die-cutting and heat sealing. Small prototype runs are performed to validate materials, device design, and manufacturing processes. Precision Converters Inc., 10969 Shady Trail, Ste. 101, Dallas, TX 75220.


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Custom die-cutting

An ISO 9002­certified manufacturer specializes in custom die-cutting of skin-contact adhesives. Wound dressings, tube holders, suture strips, hydrogel dressings, and many other disposable devices are routinely fabricated. In addition, the company offers prototyping, contract packaging services, and agreements with various sterilization firms nationwide for a complete turnkey package. Materials regularly converted include adhesive-backed films, foils, wovens, nonwovens, foams, and hydrogels. Heat- or cold-seal single-use pouches are produced from papers, films, Tyvek, and foils. TTL Medical, 10537 Lexington Dr., Knoxville, TN 37932.


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