MD&M East 2008: Innovation From Adhesives to Manufacturing Techniques

Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesives, MACtac, Stow, Ohio, says patient comfort can be a difficult goal when it comes to adhesives used on bandages for covering wounds or holding catheters in place. “Sometimes medical devices must stick to skin for long periods of time while withstanding showering and exercising,” says Aaron Smith, technical marketing manager. “So we developed our new Silk adhesives with good skin adhesion that can be removed cleanly and gently without hurting the skin. In addition, the adhesives are okay for sustained skin contact and remain stable after sterilization.” For manufacturing techniques, one method perhaps not familiar to some is two-shot molding. Companies like Northeast Mold & Plastics Inc. , Glastonbury, Conn., take two-piece designs