Revolutionizing Medical Tapes for Wearable Devices: The Tape Lab’s Engineering Approach

In the rapidly evolving world of wearable medical technology, the unsung hero often lies in the smallest details – specifically, the tape that holds these innovative devices securely and comfortably to the human body. At The Tape Lab, we’ve made it our mission to engineer these critical components with precision and care. Our expertise in medical tapes for wearable devices goes beyond simple adhesion; we’re crafting solutions that enhance device performance, ensure patient comfort, and meet the rigorous demands of the healthcare industry.

The Evolution of Medical Tapes in Wearable Technology

The landscape of wearable medical devices has transformed dramatically in recent years, driven by advancements in telehealth and remote patient monitoring. This evolution has placed new demands on the humble medical tape, requiring it to do more than ever before. The Tape Lab specializes in engineering medical tapes that meet the unique demands of wearable devices, from ensuring long-term adhesion to accommodating the flexibility needed for patient comfort.

As wearable technology becomes more sophisticated, so too must the tapes that secure these devices to the skin. We’re not just talking about simple bandages anymore; modern medical tapes must contend with challenges like:

  • Varying skin types and conditions
  • Extended wear times
  • Exposure to moisture and temperature fluctuations
  • The need for breathability to maintain skin health
  • Compatibility with device electronics and sensors

Our engineering process takes all these factors into account, resulting in tape solutions that are as advanced as the devices they support.

Engineering Precision: The Science Behind Medical Adhesive Tape

At The Tape Lab, we understand that the success of a wearable medical device often hinges on the quality and specificity of its adhesive components. Our expertise in medical adhesive tape engineering ensures optimal performance and patient comfort in wearable applications. But what sets our approach apart?

  1. Material Selection: We work with a variety of backing materials, including polyurethane, polyester, and polyethylene, each chosen for its unique properties that match specific device requirements.
  2. Adhesive Formulation: While we don’t create the adhesives ourselves, we partner with industry leaders like 3M, Avery Medical, and Berry Plastics to source the perfect adhesive for each application.
  3. Custom Converting: Our state-of-the-art converting services, including die cutting, laminating, and printing, allow us to create tape solutions that fit precise specifications.
  4. Clean Room Manufacturing: Our ISO 8 clean room ensures that every tape product meets the highest standards of cleanliness and quality control.

This combination of material expertise, strategic partnerships, and advanced manufacturing capabilities allows us to engineer medical adhesive tapes that stand up to the rigorous demands of wearable devices.

Optimizing Medical Device Wearables with Custom-Engineered Tapes

The world of medical device wearables is incredibly diverse, ranging from simple activity trackers to complex drug delivery systems. Each device presents its own set of challenges when it comes to adhesion, and that’s where our custom engineering approach shines.

We collaborate with leading manufacturers to create custom tape solutions for cutting-edge medical device wearables. Our process involves:

  1. Consultation: We work closely with device manufacturers to understand the specific requirements of their product.
  2. Design: Our engineering team develops custom tape designs that address the unique challenges of each device.
  3. Prototyping: We create and test prototypes to ensure the tape solution meets all performance criteria.
  4. Production: Once approved, we manufacture the custom tape solution in our clean room facility.

This tailored approach ensures that each wearable device benefits from a tape solution that’s optimized for its specific use case, whether it’s a long-term wear cardiac monitor or a disposable glucose sensor.

Challenges and Solutions in Tape Engineering for Wearable Medical Devices

The success of wearable medical devices often hinges on the quality and specificity of their adhesive components. Some of the key challenges we address include:

  • Skin Sensitivity: We select materials that minimize the risk of irritation, even with prolonged wear.
  • Moisture Management: Our engineered tapes often incorporate breathable materials that allow moisture to escape while maintaining a secure bond.
  • Flexibility: We design tapes that move with the body, ensuring comfort without compromising adhesion.
  • Electronics Integration: For devices with onboard electronics, we engineer tapes that accommodate components like batteries and sensors without interfering with their function.

By addressing these challenges head-on, we help our clients create wearable devices that are not only effective but also comfortable and reliable for patients.

The Importance of Medical Grade Adhesive Tape in Device Performance

When it comes to wearable medical devices, not just any tape will do. Our medical grade adhesive tape undergoes rigorous testing to ensure biocompatibility and long-term reliability. This level of quality is crucial for several reasons:

  • Patient Safety: Medical grade tapes are designed to minimize the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Our tapes meet stringent industry standards, helping device manufacturers navigate the complex landscape of medical device regulations.
  • Device Longevity: High-quality medical grade tapes ensure that devices stay in place for their intended wear time, improving data collection and treatment efficacy.

By focusing on medical grade adhesive tapes, we help our clients create devices that not only perform well but also meet the high standards expected in the healthcare industry.

The Future of Medical Tape Engineering

As wearable technology continues to advance, so too will the demands placed on medical tapes. At The Tape Lab, we’re always looking ahead, anticipating the needs of tomorrow’s medical devices. Some areas we’re exploring include:

  • Smart Adhesives: Tapes that can respond to changes in the wearer’s skin condition or environment.
  • Biodegradable Options: Environmentally friendly tapes for short-term use devices.
  • Enhanced Sensor Integration: Tapes designed to work seamlessly with next-generation biometric sensors.

Our commitment to innovation ensures that we’ll continue to provide cutting-edge tape solutions as the wearable medical device market evolves.

Partnering with The Tape Lab for Your Wearable Device Needs

In the world of wearable medical devices, the right tape can make all the difference. At The Tape Lab, we bring together material science, engineering expertise, and a deep understanding of the medical device industry to create tape solutions that enhance device performance and patient experience.

Whether you’re developing a new wearable device or looking to improve an existing one, we’re here to help. Our team of experts is ready to work with you to engineer the perfect tape solution for your unique needs.

Ready to take your wearable medical device to the next level? Contact The Tape Lab today to learn how our custom-engineered medical tapes can enhance your product’s performance and user experience.

5 Critical Adhesive Decisions That Make or Break Medical Device Development

The success of a wearable medical device often hinges on decisions made in the earliest stages of development. Among these, adhesive selection stands out as a critical factor that can determine your project’s timeline, budget, and ultimate success. Research shows that over 70% of medical device development delays stem from adhesive-related challenges discovered too late in the process.

Material Compatibility Considerations

Your device’s housing material directly impacts adhesive performance. Consider this ripple effect:

– Choosing a low surface energy plastic? Your adhesive options become limited

– Using flexible materials? Your adhesive must match that flexibility

– Working with sensitive electronics? Adhesive chemistry must prevent corrosion

The key is evaluating material compatibility before finalizing your device design. Early testing with multiple material combinations can prevent costly redesigns later.

Wear Time Requirements

The duration your device needs to stay adhered dramatically influences adhesive selection:

– Short-term wear (1-3 days) allows for simpler adhesive formulations

– Medium-term wear (3-7 days) requires balanced adhesion and breathability

– Long-term wear (7+ days) demands advanced moisture management and skin protection

Remember: Extended wear time isn’t just about stronger adhesion. It’s about maintaining consistent performance while protecting skin health.

Skin Sensitivity Factors

Medical adhesives must balance security with skin safety:

– Consider your target population’s skin types

– Account for movement and flexibility needs

– Factor in environmental conditions (moisture, temperature)

– Plan for atraumatic removal

Biocompatibility testing should begin early, as reformulations can add months to your timeline.

Regulatory Pathway Planning

Your adhesive choice impacts your regulatory strategy:

– Different adhesive classifications require different testing protocols

– Some adhesives have existing FDA master files, simplifying approval

– Novel adhesive formulations may require additional documentation

– Consider global regulations if planning international distribution

Early regulatory planning can save months in your approval timeline.

Cost Optimization Strategies

Smart adhesive decisions impact your bottom line:

– Material selection affects manufacturing efficiency

– Die design optimization reduces waste

– Roll format choices influence production speed

– Inventory management considerations

– Scale-up implications

Consider total cost of ownership, not just material costs.

Making the Right Choice

Each of these decisions interplays with the others, creating a complex web of considerations. The key to success? Making informed decisions early with expert guidance.

Visiting MD&M West? Stop by Booth [X] for a personalized assessment of your adhesive strategy. Our experts will help you navigate these critical decisions and optimize your development timeline.

Click Here To Schedule Your Personalized Assessment at MD&M West  

The Power of Adhesive Solutions: Enhancing Product Performance and Reliability

industrial tape manufacturer

In the realm of product design and manufacturing, there exists a crucial yet often overlooked hero: adhesive solutions. These seemingly humble substances play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and reliability of countless products across industries. From aerospace to automotive, from electronics to healthcare, adhesives quietly but effectively bind components together, providing strength, stability, and longevity. Let’s explore the profound impact of adhesive solutions and understand how they contribute to the success and innovation of modern products.

The Evolution of Adhesive Technology

The history of adhesives dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their use in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that adhesive technology truly began to flourish, driven by advancements in chemistry, material science, and manufacturing processes.

Early adhesives were often crude mixtures of natural substances such as animal glues, plant resins, and beeswax. While these primitive adhesives served their purpose, they lacked the strength, durability, and versatility required for modern applications.

Today, adhesive technology has evolved to a remarkable degree, offering a vast array of formulations tailored to specific needs and requirements. Synthetic adhesives, such as epoxies, cyanoacrylates, and polyurethanes, dominate the market, providing superior bonding properties across a wide range of materials.

Enhancing Product Performance

One of the primary benefits of adhesive solutions is their ability to enhance product performance. By securely bonding components together, adhesives distribute stress and load more effectively, reducing the likelihood of mechanical failure or fatigue. This is particularly critical in high-stress environments such as aerospace, automotive, and construction, where even minor structural deficiencies can have catastrophic consequences.

Moreover, adhesives offer unique advantages over traditional joining methods such as welding, riveting, or mechanical fastening. Unlike these methods, which can weaken materials, create stress concentrations, or introduce thermal distortion, adhesives provide a uniform bond without altering the properties of the substrate. This not only preserves the integrity of the materials but also allows for the bonding of dissimilar materials, opening up new possibilities for lightweight and multi-material designs.

Enabling Adhesive Innovation

In addition to improving performance, adhesive solutions also drive innovation by enabling the design of more complex and efficient products. The ability to bond materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion, for example, allows engineers to create lightweight structures that can withstand extreme temperatures without warping or delaminating. This is particularly relevant in industries such as aerospace and electronics, where weight reduction and thermal management are critical concerns.

Furthermore, adhesives facilitate the miniaturization of electronic devices by providing reliable and compact bonding solutions. With the trend towards smaller, lighter, and more portable gadgets, adhesives play a vital role in assembling and packaging delicate electronic components, ensuring both functionality and durability.

Improving Reliability

Reliability is paramount in any product, particularly those used in safety-critical applications such as medical devices, automotive systems, and industrial machinery. Adhesive solutions play a key role in improving reliability by providing a consistent and predictable bond strength under a wide range of operating conditions.

Unlike mechanical fasteners, which can loosen over time due to vibration or thermal cycling, adhesives form a strong and durable bond that remains intact throughout the life of the product. This not only reduces the likelihood of premature failure but also minimizes maintenance requirements and downtime, resulting in lower overall costs and improved customer satisfaction.

Environmental Benefits

Beyond their technical advantages, adhesive solutions also offer environmental benefits compared to traditional joining methods. Welding, soldering, and mechanical fastening processes often require significant energy consumption and produce hazardous emissions and waste. In contrast, adhesive material manufacturing typically requires less energy to apply and generate minimal waste, making them a more sustainable choice for manufacturers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Adhesives also enable the use of lightweight materials and modular construction techniques, which can lead to reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, and material usage over the lifetime of the product. This is particularly relevant in industries such as automotive and transportation, where fuel efficiency and environmental impact are of growing concern.

Adhesive solutions play a vital role in enhancing product performance and reliability across a wide range of industries. From aerospace to electronics, from automotive to healthcare, adhesives enable innovation, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. As technology continues to advance, the demand for high-performance adhesive solutions will only continue to grow, driving further innovation and unlocking new possibilities for product design and manufacturing. So, the next time you marvel at a sleek smartphone, board a plane, or undergo a medical procedure, remember the unsung hero behind it all: adhesive solutions.

Get a Custom Solution Created for Your Business

At The Tape Lab, we’re not just creating adhesive solutions; we’re crafting partnerships to bring your custom innovations to life. Check out our personalized solutions or request a quote to get started.

Stick-To-Skin Adhesives – A Key Disruptor in Modern Healthcare

Transdermal patch on arm

Wearable stick-to-skin medical devices give doctors the freedom to become time and location-independent. Healthcare providers can effortlessly gather vital patient information and take appropriate action from virtually anywhere. Plus, the patient doesn’t have to spend hours on a long commute. CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) is a good example, which allows doctors to remotely monitor diabetics.

However, the core component that is crucial to the effectiveness of such devices is a stick-to-skin adhesive. It ensures that the device stays attached to the patient’s body for the desired period without disrupting their usual routine. Let’s take a closer look at stick-to-skin adhesives and the importance of a reliable conversion partner.

On The Cusp Of A Growth Boom

Wearable technology; a once farfetched idea, is becoming a norm in modern medicine. It would be fair to conclude that it is rewriting the way healthcare is delivered. We are used to receiving medical attention within a typical clinical establishment; however, most patients face a medical situation at home, on travel, or at work. A moment’s delay in such a state could be catastrophic.

This has given an exponential boost to the demand for wearable tech for remote patient monitoring. According to an industrial analysis Mordor Intelligence, the wearable adhesive market, which was valued at $294.21 million in 2020, is on its way to more than doubling to $617.43 million by 2026. From medical devices and patient monitors to wound closure and sports tapes, this presents a sizeable growth opportunity in every market segment.

Considerations For Designing A Winning Stick-To-Skin Product

While the patient benefits from the device itself, however, a reliable stick-to-skin adhesive is what enables the device to do its job. Let’s explore the factors that must be considered to ensure that the product meets the expected standards:

Material Considerations:
  1. Moisture Management: Stick-to-skin devices are designed to be compatible with the user’s daily lifestyle. That means it must stand up to sweat, bodily fluids, and external moisture. To counter this, adhesive materials employ the following two methods:
    1. Fluid absorption – The adhesive takes on the moisture and holds it away from the skin to prevent irritation.
    2. Moisture-vapor transmission – Tiny holes in the adhesive and carrier material allow moisture to evaporate.
    3. Getting the layer right: Designing an effective stick-to-skin product is a complicated endeavor. Several layers of materials must come together before a product starts to take shape. The designers and manufacturers must get this delicate balance just right for the product to function correctly. For example, if an adhesive used in the skin contact layer is breathable but the outer layer does not allow moisture-vapor transmission, the product won’t perform as intended.
  2. Regulatory Considerations: Bringing a medical-grade product to the market requires the manufactories to adhere to strict regulatory standards. Even a small oversight can cause significant losses – both monetary and in terms of time to the market. Here’s what to look out for.
    1. Relevant ISO Certification & Documentation: Your design, manufacturing, and supply partners must be ISO 13485 certified and compliant.
    2. Safety Tests: To ensure that the adhesives meet the required safety standards, your suppliers must be able to conduct tests such as primary skin irritation (PSI) testing, cytotoxicity screening, biocompatibility, and safety testing, and guinea pig sensitization
  3. The Right Converting Partners: Unquestionable credibility is the backbone of any enterprise that provides healthcare services and related products. This means your production and conversion partner must have extensive experience along with outstanding research and development capabilities. The Tape Lab checks all of these boxes. Let’s take a closer look:
    1. Unquestionable Credibility & Extensive Adhesive-Specific Experience: The Tape Lab brings to the table over 18 years of research & manufacturing experience in the stick-to-skin medical tech space. Some of the largest names in the industry such as Avery Dennison have entrusted us with developing adhesive solutions for their flagship continuous health monitor. We’re supremely confident we can meet and exceed your expectations as well.
    2. A Wide Range OF Stick-To-Skin Products: The Tape Lab currently offers 11 individual categories for stick-to-skin products and 6 categories for wearable medical products. Our range includes but is not limited to adhesive bras, boob tape, CBD adhesive patches, fashion tape, wearable device tape, and diagnostic tape. You can explore our full product range over here. No matter what you have in mind, you’ll find it under one roof with The Tape Lab.
    3. The Ability To Customize & Unrivaled Engineering Expertise: Do you have an idea for a unique stick-to-skin product? We can help you bring it to life. The Tape Lab excels in every facet of medical adhesive design and manufacturing. Our core competencies include designing the tapes, die-cutting the patches, layer lamination, customizing the liner releases, and full-service OEM assembly. This gives us the scale and production capacity that will empower you to bring your product to market quicker and cheaper than your competition.
    4. Strong Supplier Partnerships: What sets us apart is our rock solid supply chain. We enjoy strong relationships with leading material manufacturers in the medical adhesive space. Our partners include 3M, Avery Dennison, Berry Plastics, Adhesive Applications and Polymer Science. This ensures immediate material access and enables us to design and produce customized medical adhesive solutions far quicker and cheaper than most of our competitors.

Next Step – Book A Free Consultation

Looking for a full-service tape converter and adhesives specialist? Contact The Tape Lab today. Our experts will schedule an obligation-free call and explain how we can put our full suite of converting services to work for you.

Transdermal Topical Patches – Will They Redefine The Way Vitamins and Supplements are Delivered?

medical device adhesive

It certainly seems that way. It wasn’t long ago that transdermal patches were viewed as a novel way to cope with chronic smoking. However, as their acceptance increased over the years, they are now being utilized to deliver vitamins, supplements, as well as give consumers remedies for, pain relief, sleep, hangovers and recovery, relaxation- or any combination of all the above via a topical patch.

Let’s explore further and take a closer look at the considerations for manufacturing quality transdermal topical patches.

What Is A Transdermal Patch & Its Various Types

In essence, these are small stick-to-skin patches to administer carefully determined plant based botanicals and vitamin doses through the patient’s skin. Patients find them convenient, non-invasive, and pain-free. Moreover, the patches enable delivery in a controlled manner, therefore, eliminating sharp peaks and valleys in vitamin and supplement administration.

Transdermal topical patches usually have 5 core components i.e. backing, ingredients (vitamins and supplements), membrane, adhesive, and the liner. They can be broadly categorized into 5 groups:

The Importance Of Choosing The Right Adhesive Converter For Transdermal Patches

The adhesive plays a critical role in ensuring that the patch stays securely pasted to the user’s skin and delivers the vitamins and supplements as intended. Let’s take a closer look at the criteria the patch adhesive must meet:

  1. Seamless Skin Adherence & Removal: It should be strong enough that the patch stays put and securely adhereed to the user’s skin for the required period. However, the adhesive must be balanced enough that the user can easily remove it without any discomfort.
  2. No Residue: No one likes to scrape sticky residue off their skin. When the patch is removed, it must not leave any adhesive residue on the skin.
  3. Comfortable: The adhesive must not cause any irritation, rashes, or trigger sensitivity.
  4. Skin- Adhesive Compatibility: It should seamlessly blend the adhesive with the ingredients without causing any physical or chemical clashes.
  5. Permeation: It should not interfere with the way or the speed at which the vitamins or supplement is supposed to be transferred to the patient.

Why An Experienced Adhesive Converter Matters

Transdermal Topical patch manufacturing is a complicated process and an experienced converter can help you stay competitive by eliminating unnecessary costs and significantly shortening the time to market.

  1. End-To-End Patch Design & Development: A knowledgeable converter can help you with any phase of the design and manufacturing process. E.g. it can help you design the required delivery system patch. What you’ll get is a well-made transdermal topical patch perfectly sized and designed to function seamlessly with the intended area of the body.
  2. Selection Of The Correct Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive: A reliable adhesive converter will ensure that the patch stays pasted to the user for the intended period and can stand up to sweat, dirt, and daily activity without causing any discomfort or skin damage.
  3. Consistent Patch Quality: A seasoned convertor will ensure that patch is made to deliver a consistent dosage.
  4. Regulatory Compliance: You will never have to worry about any compliance issues if you work with a converter that is cGMP certified.
  5. Desired Patch Shape & Size: Transdermal Topical patches have various uses, which may require the patch to be of a certain shape or size. An experienced converter brings to the table with numerous die-cutting, slitting, and sheeting capabilities, therefore, giving you the freedom to design and manufacture the patch in any shape or size. Moreover, an expert converter will eliminate material waste and help further reduce your per unit cost.
  6. Continuous Access To Critical Patch Making Materials: Experienced convertors have ties to major suppliers and can help you source the premium materials to make quality patch products that stand out in the marketplace.

What Sets The Tape Lab apart

That is indeed a relevant question. Let’s see how The Tape Lab can help bring your transdermal topical patch products to the market quicker and cheaper.

  1. A Wide Range Of Transdermal Topical Patches: No matter what type of transdermal topical patch you have in mind, we can bring it to life. And we aren’t just limited to patches. The Tape Lab offers an extensive range of stick-to-skin products such as adhesive bras, boob tape, fashion tape, wearable device tape, and diagnostic tape. You can explore our full product range over here.
  2. Unquestionable Credibility & Extensive Adhesive-Specific Experience: The Tape Lab brings to the table over 18 years of research & manufacturing experience in the stick-to-skin medical tech space. Some of the largest names in the industry such as Avery Dennison have entrusted us with developing adhesive solutions for their products. We’re supremely confident we can meet and exceed your expectations as well.
  3. Strong Supplier Partnerships: What sets us apart is our rock solid supply chain. We enjoy strong relationships with leading material manufacturers in the medical adhesive space. Our partners include 3M, Avery Dennison, Berry Plastics, Adhesive Applications and Polymer Science. This ensures immediate material access and enables us to design and produce customized adhesive solutions a lot quicker and cheaper than most of our competitors.

Next Step – Book A Free Consultation

Looking for a full-service tape converter and adhesives specialist? Contact The Tape Lab today. Our experts will schedule an obligation-free call and explain how we can put our full suite of converting services to work for you.

How Innovative Adhesive Solutions Are Transforming Continuous Health Monitoring & Wearable Medical Tech

Medical Wearables

We may not realize it, but the use of continuous health monitors is quite common – especially within the Global healthcare systems. As of 2020, over 23 million patients in the US alone utilized some form of continuous and remote health monitoring and this number is expected to hit 30 million by the year 2024.

Let’s dig a bit deeper and see how far the modern continuous monitoring tech has come and its impact on how we approach medical care. We will also shed light on how material converting and production partners are helping to bring continuous enhancements within the wearable med tech space.

What Exactly Is A Continuous Health Monitors (CHM)?

As the name implies, it is a medical device that monitors a patient continuously. The goal is to gather data on the patient’s primary health indicators and relay the information to concerned medical caregivers. In most cases, these are wearable devices that the patient can stick onto their body while carrying out their usual daily activities including working out or taking a shower.

Why It Matters?

While the technology may still be young; we’re already seeing its tremendous potential in simplifying healthcare. For starters, it can significantly reduce the time patients spend commuting to their doctor’s office or the hospital and then waiting there for the physician.

During a 2015 study, Harvard Medical School discovered patients on average spend 2 hours on a hospital visit. Continuous health monitors can minimize or almost eliminate these visits in many instances. For example, someone with a chronic heart issue can leverage it to share their data on vital health indicators and get instant feedback from their consultant rather than making the long commute.

Not only is it convenient but such devices may also help manage medical emergencies much better. The constant flow of primary health data enables doctors to take immediate action. Moreover, by minimizing patient visits, these gadgets can significantly improve the efficiency of medical facilities by reducing patient pressure.

The Role of Reliable Adhesive Solutions in Quality Wearable Devices to the Market

Depending on the patients’ needs, they may choose to wear such a device for up to 3 weeks. This means the device must be able to withstand the rigors of daily life without fail. A reliable adhesive solution ensures that the device stays securely attached to the patient’s body for the intended period. Let’s take a closer look at how advanced medical adhesive solutions add to the utility of these devices:

  • Makes It Suitable For An Active Lifestyle: Just because a patient needs to be continuously monitored shouldn’t mean that they cannot commit to normal daily activities such as school, runs, working out or a hike on the weekend. This, however, means that the device must deal with sweat, moisture, and an occasional bump. A reliable adhesive ensures that the device stays put and performs well under normal push and pull of the human body.
  • Ergonomics & Comfort: Let’s be honest. The idea of something continuously sticking to your body is not very appealing. That said, certain health conditions such as diabetes may require patients to wear glucose monitoring devices for weeks. A well-designed adhesive system guarantees that the patient can wear the device comfortably for extended periods without the risk of skin rashes or irritation.

The Importance Of A Reliable Converting & Production Partner

Unquestionable credibility is the backbone of any enterprise that provides healthcare services and related products. This means your production and converting partner must have extensive experience along with outstanding research and development capabilities.

The Tape Lab checks all of these boxes. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Trusted By Global Wearable Medical Tech Brands: The Tape Lab brings to the table over 18 years of research & manufacturing experience in the stick-to-skin medical tech space. Some of the largest names in the industry have entrusted us with developing adhesive solutions for their flagship continuous health monitor. We’re supremely confident we can meet and exceed your expectations as well.
  • Strong Supplier Partnerships: What sets us apart is our rock solid supply chain. We enjoy strong relationships with leading material manufacturers in the medical adhesive space. Our partners include 3M, Avery Dennison, Berry Global, and Dermamed. This ensures immediate material access and enables us to design and produce customized medical adhesive solutions far quicker and cheaper than most of our competitors.
  • Unrivaled Adhesive Engineering & Production Expertise: The Tape Lab excels in every facet of medical adhesive design and manufacturing. Our core competencies include designing the tapes, die-cutting the patches, layer lamination, customizing the liner releases, and full-service OEM packaging. We’re equally proficient in the design, manufacturing, and packaging of stick-to-skin wearables. Moreover, each tape component is manufactured in our ISO-8 certified clean rooms.

Next Step – Book A Free Consultation

Looking for a full-service tape converter and adhesives specialist? Contact The Tape Lab today. Our experts will schedule an obligation-free call and explain how we can put our full suite of converting services to work for you.

References

  1. https://blog.prevounce.com/27-remote-patient-monitoring-statistics-every-practice-should-know#:~:text=Consumer%2FPatient%20Statistics&text=A%20survey%20conducted%20by%20Insider,services%20and%20tools%20in%202020
  2. https://aabme.asme.org/posts/innovations-in-continuous-health-monitoring

Commonly used adhesive tapes for medical device manufacturing

medical device adhesive

Engineers know that bringing a new medical device to market is incredibly complex. Product performance, user comfort and regulatory concerns all need to be accounted for during product development. The adhesive solution you use will also impact all of these areas. So, you’ll need to consult with adhesives experts and choose carefully. To arm you with the information you need to speed up the development process, let’s explore some of the most common adhesive tapes used for medical device manufacturing.

Solvent-based adhesive tapes

Solvent-based adhesives are created using a combination of a solvent and a polymer like acrylic or silicone. When paired with a substrate to form a solvent-based adhesive tape, these solutions can feature a range of bonding times to meet your specific application or manufacturing needs. Solvent-based tapes are also generally more resistant to heat and chemicals than water-based adhesive solutions.

Solvent-based adhesives typically contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are regulated to various degrees by governments across the globe. This may mean you have less flexibility from a compliance standpoint if you choose to work with these types of adhesives. You will also have to consider the business case and which markets you plan to sell into during the product development process.

Some other features of solvent-based tapes include:

  • Typically cost more to produce than water-based adhesive tapes
  • Good at bonding to substrates that are contaminated with oil
  • The best property retention of all PSAs in most conditions
  • Gains bond strength when adhesive is fully cured (usually 72 hours after applying)

UV-cured tapes

As their name implies, UV-cured tapes use pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) that have been cured under UV light to alter their properties. Engineers often choose these tapes for applications where high-temperature stability and solvent resistance is needed. These qualities make UV-cured tapes well-suited for stick-to-skin applications like transdermal patches where moisture from sweat or other bodily fluids may come into contact with the device.

There are different grades of UV-cured tape, and medical grade UV-cured tape is available that complies with Biocompatibility 10993 and other regulations. Some manufacturers choose to work with UV-cured tapes because they generally emit fewer VOCs, which makes it easier to meet regulatory guidelines and get products into market faster.

Some other features of UV-cured tapes include:

  • UV curing at low temperatures is less harmful to heat-sensitive substrate materials
  • Very resistant to solvents, moisture and high temperatures
  • Reduced emissions of VOCs for an easier regulatory approval process

Water-based or emulsion-based adhesive tapes

Water-based adhesive tapes, sometimes referred to as emulsion-based tapes, are similar to solvent-based tapes, but use water to dissolve adhesive polymers instead of another solution. This can make them more economical while also avoiding some of the highly regulated chemicals that are associated with solvent-based adhesives. Because the adhesive polymers used in these types of tape are soluble in water, any medical device constructed using water-based tape will not provide good moisture resistance.

Water-based adhesives bond when the water in the formulation evaporates, leaving only the substrates bonded together. This is why they are often used with porous substrates and are typically better for short-term uses like hydrocolloids and ECG applications. Tapes made with acrylic or rubber-based emulsions will offer better balance between peel, shear and tack.

Some other features of water-based tapes include:

  • Generally less expensive to produce than solvent-based tapes
  • Less resistant to moisture
  • More environmentally friendly

Choosing the right tape for your application

Adhesive selection is a critical part of medical device development because of the impact it can have on both the performance and manufacturing of your device. Consider working with an adhesives expert that can offer detailed insights on your various tape options. A tape converting partner like The Tape Lab can help speed the product development process and ensure the adhesives you select are on spec and ideally suited for your unique application.

Looking for assistance designing or developing your next medical device? Contact The Tape Lab to see how our tape converting services can help you create the ideal product for your application.