Wearable medical devices are used in a growing range of healthcare applications, from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and electrocardiogram patches to other monitoring and diagnostic devices. Because many of these devices adhere directly to the skin, selecting the appropriate wearable device tape is an important part of the material evaluation process.
Wearable application requirements can vary considerably depending on the device, intended wear duration, materials involved, and conditions the adhesive may encounter. DermaMed supports wearable medical device applications requiring skin-friendly materials, flexibility, reliable adhesive performance, breathable materials, moisture management, extended wear durations, and device compatibility.
When evaluating medical device tape, manufacturers should consider the complete adhesive construction and how its characteristics align with application-specific requirements. The following five factors are among the considerations DermaMed addresses when assisting clients with identifying adhesive constructions for wearable medical applications.
Wear Duration
One of the first considerations when selecting a wearable device tape is how long the device is intended to remain attached to the skin.
Wearable applications may require short- or long-term wear tape depending on the intended use. Continuous glucose monitors and other wearable medical technologies, for example, may remain attached for extended periods. Adhesive constructions for these applications need to be evaluated based on the required wear time as well as adhesion levels and device compatibility.
DermaMed’s Custom Adhesives capabilities support medical device manufacturers requiring adhesive materials for wearable devices and other skin-contact medical applications. DermaMed assists clients with identifying adhesive constructions aligned with wear time, adhesion levels, flexibility, breathability, moisture management, and device compatibility.
Rather than treating extended wear as a single adhesive characteristic, manufacturers can evaluate wear duration alongside the other requirements of the application.
Skin Compatibility
Because wearable medical devices are commonly applied directly to the body, skin compatibility is another important consideration when evaluating medical device tape.
DermaMed supports long-term and wearable device tape applications requiring skin-friendly materials and reliable adhesive performance. Adhesive selection may vary based on the intended application, wear time, materials involved, and other product requirements.
This becomes particularly relevant with CGM adhesive applications and other wearable technologies that require direct skin contact for an extended period.
DermaMed’s Medical Applications capabilities include adhesive materials used across wearable devices, diagnostics, wound care, low-trauma applications, and other skin-contact medical products. The company assists medical device manufacturers with identifying adhesive constructions aligned with specific application and material requirements.
Skin compatibility therefore needs to be evaluated as part of the complete adhesive construction rather than independently from wear duration, flexibility, moisture management, and device compatibility.
Breathability and Moisture Management
Wearable medical devices can be exposed to moisture during normal use, making breathability and moisture management important considerations for many applications.
DermaMed supports adhesive constructions requiring breathable materials and moisture management based on application-specific requirements. Material options can include woven and non-woven adhesive materials as well as breathable films and other pressure-sensitive adhesive constructions.
DermaMed’s Wovens and Non-Wovens include materials commonly used for wearable devices and CGM tape applications requiring flexibility, breathability, durability, skin compatibility, and long wear durations.
Stretchable non-woven tapes can support absorbency and moisture management, while woven materials can provide different levels of flexibility and durability depending on the intended application.
Breathable Films provide another material option for medical applications requiring breathable adhesive constructions.
For manufacturers evaluating CGM adhesive, wearable device tape, or other skin-contact materials, breathability and moisture management can therefore be considered alongside the intended wear duration and device requirements.
Flexibility and Conformability
Human skin moves, stretches, and changes shape throughout normal daily activity. For this reason, flexibility and conformability are also considerations when selecting adhesive materials for wearable applications.
DermaMed supports wearable device tape applications requiring flexibility and material constructions aligned with device compatibility and wear requirements. Woven and non-woven adhesive materials can offer different characteristics depending on the materials and construction involved, while other films, foams, and transfer adhesive constructions may be evaluated depending on the intended application.
This is another reason there is no single adhesive construction appropriate for every wearable device.
DermaMed’s Engineering Solutions support medical device manufacturers with material constructions aligned with application-specific requirements. The company assists clients with identifying adhesive materials, specialty substrates, release liners, and material constructions based on factors including adhesion requirements, wear time, flexibility, moisture management, and device compatibility.
Adhesion, Durability, and Device Compatibility
The adhesive construction also needs to align with the physical requirements of the wearable device itself.
Device configuration, materials, required adhesion levels, wear duration, flexibility, and durability can all influence material selection. A CGM tape application, for example, may have different material requirements from another wearable monitoring or diagnostic device.
DermaMed supports clients with woven and non-woven adhesive materials used in wearable medical applications requiring flexibility, durability, and consistent adhesive performance. The company’s experience across adhesive chemistry, engineering, coating, and converting processes supports a wide range of medical adhesive applications and material requirements.
DermaMed also provides custom adhesive coating, laminating, and slitting capabilities that support application-specific adhesive constructions.
Testing can also be incorporated into the material evaluation process. DermaMed’s on-site testing capabilities include adhesion, release, tack, shear, loop, Polyken Probe, MVTR breathability testing, and accelerated aging.
For additional information regarding medical devices, manufacturers can also reference the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s medical device resources.
Supporting Wearable Medical Device Applications
Selecting the appropriate wearable device tape involves evaluating more than a single adhesive characteristic. Wear duration, skin compatibility, breathability and moisture management, flexibility, durability, adhesion levels, and device compatibility can all contribute to the material selection process.
These requirements can be particularly important for long-term wear tape, CGM adhesive, CGM tape, and other medical device tape applications requiring extended contact with the skin.
DermaMed supports medical device manufacturers by assisting clients with identifying adhesive constructions aligned with application-specific requirements. Through adhesive coating, laminating, slitting, engineering support, and material testing capabilities, DermaMed supports a range of wearable medical applications and material requirements.
Need Support Identifying an Adhesive Construction for a Wearable Application?
Whether your application requires wearable device tape, long-term adhesion, breathable materials, flexibility, or other application-specific characteristics, DermaMed can assist with identifying adhesive materials and constructions aligned with your requirements.
Contact DermaMed to discuss your wearable medical device application.
F.A.Q.’s
What factors influence wearable device tape selection?
Wearable device tape selection can be influenced by wear duration, skin compatibility, breathability and moisture management, flexibility, adhesion levels, durability, and device compatibility. Manufacturers should evaluate these factors as part of the complete adhesive construction and application requirements.
What should manufacturers consider when selecting long term wear tape?
When evaluating long term wear tape, manufacturers should consider the intended wear duration along with adhesion levels, skin compatibility, flexibility, breathability, moisture management, and device compatibility.
Why are breathability and moisture management important for wearable device tape?
Wearable medical devices can be exposed to moisture during normal use. Breathable materials and moisture management can therefore be important considerations when evaluating wearable device tape for extended skin-contact applications.
What materials can be used for CGM adhesive and CGM tape applications?
Depending on the application requirements, CGM adhesive and CGM tape constructions may include woven or non-woven materials, breathable films, foams, transfer adhesives, and other pressure-sensitive adhesive materials.
How does DermaMed support wearable medical device applications?
DermaMed assists medical device manufacturers with identifying adhesive materials and constructions aligned with application-specific requirements. Its capabilities include adhesive coating, laminating, slitting, engineering support, material selection, and testing for wearable medical applications.