Wearable medical device makers need adhesives that keep a wearable stuck to the user without damaging their skin. Officials at Flexcon (Spencer, Mass.) see opportunity. “Flexcon as a company has been focused on the graphics and labels business for 60 years. Now we see a core capability that we have in coating adhesives on films that
Adhesives and medical devices: How to make sure things don’t go wrong
June 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Too often the adhesive selection for a medical device is left to the end of a project. It doesn’t help that there are so many adhesives as to make the choice overwhelming. With so many potential negative outcomes, here are tips on making the right choice. Tony Kaufman and Del R. Lawson, Critical and Chronic Care
3M sticks it to non-sticky medical tape
June 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
3M has introduced a non-woven, elastic blend tape that may offer medical device wearers some relief from annoying problems, including wearables losing stickiness and skin irritation. The company says the single-coated tape, called 3M 4077, is water resistant, offers improved stretchiness and air penetration, and can be worn for up to 14 days. It combines adhesive with a
Paper-folding art is the inspiration behind these adhesives
April 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
A paper-folding art known as kirigami is the inspiration behind a new adhesive film for bandages that don’t usually stick to mobile joints like the knees and elbows. Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have developed a thin, lightweight and rubber-like adhesive film that sticks to highly deformable regions of the body. The kirigami-inspired film has
Master Bond touts medical electronic epoxy
April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Master Bond is touting its ultra-low viscosity biocompatible epoxy EP62-1LPSPMed that is designed to be used with medical electronic applications. The epoxy has a mixed viscosity of 150-300 cps and is ideal for underfill, impregnation and porosity sealing applications, as well as bonding, coating and encapsulation. EP62-1LSPSMed features high wetting properties and can flow by
Scapa Healthcare breaks ground on Tennessee medical device manufacturing facility
March 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Scapa Healthcare has started construction for its new built-for-purpose medical device manufacturing facility in Knox County, Tenn. The new facility will be 152,000 sq. ft and will double the company’s footprint in the Knoxville, Tenn. area and will integrate the three existing buildings in Knoxville into a single operations site. Scapa Healthcare says that integrating
Henkel introduces new medical device adhesives that cure in seconds
March 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Henkel Corp. recently introduced Loctite AA3951 and Loctite AA3953 — two new high-elongation, high-flexibility, LED-curable adhesives specifically designed for use on flexible medical devices made of TPE and TPU. Both TPE and TPU are substrates that medical device manufacturers are increasingly specifying, according to Henkel. The new adhesives have a fixture time of 1 to 3 seconds
Designing wearables: How to make sense of your material options
March 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The medical device industry’s knowledge base continually evolves regarding what works — and what doesn’t — for wearable applications. Gain insight into some material selection considerations for skin-worn wearable design and development. Deepak Prakash, Vancive Medical Technologies In the dynamic wearables sector, medical device makers are searching for ways to translate their expertise into mobile,
MD&M West: 10 technologies you should know
February 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MD&M West is one of the largest medical device manufacturing events in the world, so it’s easy to get lost on the show floor. Even if you were in Anaheim, Calif., for the event last week, you may have missed a lot. From a new robotics insights display from Rethink Robotics to a disinfectant-resistant plastic
MD&M West 2018: Medtech supplier innovations you need to know
February 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Updated Feb. 5 More than 20,000 engineers and executives are expected to gather and network for the annual MD&M West – one of the largest annual medical device manufacturing events. The event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 6–8, and houses an array of industry suppliers showcasing their latest technologies and manufacturing advancements. Think medical
CES 2018: Medical technologies you need to know
January 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Updated Jan. 16, 2018 Mobile health devices and wearables have increasingly played a prominent role at the annual CES show in Las Vegas. Health and medical devices touted at CES 2018 sought to improve everything from heart health to posture. Here are 13 companies that exhibited digital health solutions at this year’s show. Next >>
Repeat sterilization for adhesives in reusable and non-disposable devices
December 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Here’s a review of the common adhesive materials and their reaction to sterilization processes. Christine Marotta, Henkel Intricate medical devices are often constructed of thermoset and other engineered plastics, which require advanced adhesive technology. In addition to considerations of bonding, sealing, gap filling, and manufacturability, developers need to consider the sterilization plan that all materials, including
6 challenges you need to overcome to create a wearable medical device
December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Before you start a medical wearable device project, consider the following challenges and suggestions on how to address them. Diana Eitzman and Kris Godbey, 3M Skin is unlike any other substrate. It sweats, grows hair, secretes oil, harbors bacteria, constantly sheds old cells, regenerates new ones and changes with health, environment and age – characteristics
ChemSpec’s to distribute Dispersix adhesives
November 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ChemSpec is now offering Dispersix silicone processing additives following a new distribution deal with Spherix Mineral Products. The recently-announced partnership with Spherix Mineral Products allows ChemSpec to offer medical device manufacturers and suppliers with additives that can improve silicone products. Dispersix is used in high consistency rubber (HCR) silicone cure chemistries. Aluminosilicates are recovered from
Medtronic is closer to VenaSeal coverage: Here’s how
November 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Medtronic is touting its new CPT codes for the VenaSeal varicose vein closure device – codes that company officials think bring the device closer to positive coverage from public and private insurers in the U.S. CMS announced the new codes on Nov. 1 as part of final rules for the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS-1676-F)
