3M said its new Durapore advanced surgical tape outperformed competitors’ products and an earlier version of its own surgical tape in tests of three key securement areas.

The tests measured adhesion to tubing, adhesion to skin after moisture occurs and edge lift.  In another company study of the force needed to pull a tube from sweaty, moist skin, Durapore required 44%  more force on average than other tapes, 3M noted.

The company consulted more than 80 clinicians, created 75 prototypes, conducted over 1,000 hours of in-house clinical studies and 2,500 hours of lab testing to create the new surgical tape. The new tape is made of a hypoallergenic, breathable, silk-like material and is suitable for securing dressings and devices, 3M said.

Clinicians told the company they were looking for better adhesion to moist skin and in high-moisture environments, minimal edge lift, and adhesion to skin, tubes, devices and to the tape itself. The tape is unique in that it is not made with natural rubber latex, yet provides better adhesion characteristics than latex-containing tapes, the company said. In several internal studies, Durapore advanced surgical demonstrated minimal edge lift or adhesive weakening after 72 hours of wear, and stuck to multiple surface textures.

“When patient outcomes rely upon effective securement, choosing the right medical tape is crucial,” said Mel Wong, global business team leader of 3M’s medical solutions division, in a prepared statement. “We understand there’s absolutely zero margin for error in safely securing patient tubes and devices. That’s why we are committed to continuously challenging adhesive capability boundaries. We want every clinician to have complete confidence that their critical applications will stay in place, so they can focus entirely on providing patient care.”