The tape achieves strong adhesion when securing medical devices to skin and could also easily peel off safely, utilising a three-layer design approach that sets a new paradigm for quick-release medical tapes.
Once the backing is peeled off, any remaining adhesive left on the skin can safely be rolled off with a finger using a "push and roll" technique.
Commercial medical tapes on the market are great at keeping medical devices attached to the skin, but often can do damage - such as skin tissue tearing - once it's time to remove them.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have invented a quick-release tape that has the strong adhesion properties of commercial medical tape, but without the ouch factor upon removal.
Scientists led by Jeffrey Karp defined the need and requirements for a new neonatal adhesive based on national surveys of neonatal clinicians.
"Current adhesive tapes that contain backing and adhesive layers are tailored to fracture at the adhesive-skin interface. With adults the adhesive fails leaving small remnants of adhesive on the skin while with fragile neonate skin, the fracture is more likely to occur in the skin causing significant damage," said Karp.
"Our approach transitions the fracture zone away from the skin to the adhesive-backing interface thus completely preventing any harm during removal," Karp said.
The approach incorporates an anisotropic adhesive interface between the backing and adhesive layers.
Researchers employed laser etching and a release liner to create the anisotropic interface resulting in a medical tape with high shear strength (for strong adhesion) and low peel force (for safe, quick removal).
There are more than 1.5 million injuries each year in the United States caused by medical tape removal. Such injuries in babies and the elderly - populations with fragile skin - can range from skin irritation to permanent scarring.
