MEDICAL SINGLE-SIDED AND DOUBLE-SIDED ADHESIVE TAPES

The choice of medical adhesive tape depends directly on the clinical application, the duration of wear, and the constraints of use. The main technical parameters to consider are:

1) Breathability (MVTR – Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate)
MVTR measures the ability of an adhesive system (backing + adhesive mass) to allow water vapor to pass through. A high MVTR allows:
– limited skin maceration,
– reduced risk of irritation or premature detachment,
– improved comfort during prolonged wear.
This criterion is decisive for: devices worn 24/7 (medical wearables), long-term applications, and products intended for fragile or sensitive skin.

2) Conformability
Conformability refers to the ability of the adhesive tape or die-cut piece to conform to anatomical contours and follow the natural movements of the skin without creating excessive mechanical stress.
It depends on the nature of the backing (film, non-woven fabric, foam), its mechanical properties, and the overall flexibility of the adhesive complex. Good conformability makes it possible to:
– reduce skin tension,
– limit peeling at the edges,
– improve adhesion on mobile areas, and
– increase patient comfort.

3) The nature of the adhesive
The choice of adhesive technology has a direct impact on performance and skin tolerance:

• Acrylic:
  – excellent stability over time,
  – good durability,
  – wide range of uses.
• Silicone:
  – gentle adhesion,
  – atraumatic removal,
  – recommended for fragile, geriatric, or neonatal skin.

4) Adhesive weight (coat weight)
Adhesive weight, expressed in g/m², corresponds to the amount of adhesive applied to the backing. It directly influences initial adhesion (tack), peel strength, and durability over time.

Too high a weight can increase the risk of pain on removal or the risk of residue on the skin. Conversely, insufficient weight can compromise the secure attachment of the device.
Optimizing this parameter requires functional testing adapted to the intended clinical indication. The right choice therefore depends on a balance between adhesion, breathability, comfort, and skin safety.

GERGONNE INDUSTRIE’s expertise in the development and conception of medical adhesive tapes (ADHECARE) is your best ally for your future projects. Contact us.

The ADHECARE range of solutions has been specifically developed for use in medical devices worn on the skin, including in demanding clinical environments and on at-risk skin. For fragile skin (elderly patients, pediatrics, long-term care), the priority technical criteria are:
– atraumatic removal to limit pain and skin damage,
– prevention of MARSI (Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury),
– reduction of adhesive residue after removal,
– high breathability (MVTR) to limit maceration.

Some ADHECARE products incorporate adhesion technologies suitable for sensitive skin, enabling:
– reliable and secure fixation of devices (sensors, electrodes, patches, technical dressings),
– reduced mechanical stress on the epidermis during removal.

Our range of silicone gel adhesives is particularly suitable for products intended for fragile and sensitive skin.

The most breathable medical adhesive tapes are those whose composition allows high water vapor permeability (MVTR) while maintaining reliable adhesion. The solutions that generally perform best in terms of breathability are:
– high-permeability polyurethane (PU) films,
– micro-aerated nonwoven substrates,
– perforated or micro-perforated products

The breathability of an adhesive system depends not only on the substrate, but also on the adhesive mass and the overall design of the complex (substrate + adhesive + any technical layers). These solutions are particularly recommended for:
– wound dressings,
– long-term applications,
– continuously worn devices (monitoring, sensors, connected patches),
– applications in mobile areas or areas subject to perspiration.

The ADHECARE range offers a wide range of breathable medical adhesive solutions. Contact us for more information.

ADHECARE adhesives are high-performance medical adhesive solutions designed for use in medical devices, whether in hospitals, home care, or connected health applications.
Formulated and processed according to strict quality standards, they are selected for applications requiring biocompatibility, suitable strength, mechanical reliability, stability, and compliance with medical sector regulatory requirements.

Areas of application for Adhecare adhesive tapes:

1) Dialysis
Adhecare adhesives are integrated into dialysis devices. They are used to fix, secure, and assemble critical components within complex systems used in hospital environments.
These adhesive solutions must meet high standards for:
– securing catheters during dialysis sessions
– post-dialysis coagulation dressings
– protecting CVCs (central venous catheters) between sessions
The goal is to ensure controlled and secure bonding in applications where reliability is a clinical imperative. View our range dedicated to the dialysis market: Nephrokit.

2) Chronic wound treatment / Healing
Adhecare adhesive tapes are used in the manufacture of technical healing dressings for chronic wounds (ulcers, bedsores, post-operative wounds).
These applications require a precise combination of properties:
– protective barrier against external contaminants,
– controlled water vapor permeability (exudate management),
– reliable adhesion without trauma upon removal,
– optimal comfort for prolonged wear.
Adhecare adhesive tapes are designed to combine technical performance with respect for fragile skin.

3) Securing medical catheters and tubing
In hospital environments, securely fastening intravenous catheters and tubing is essential to limit the risk of displacement, infection, or skin irritation. Adhecare adhesive tapes provide:
– reliable fixation to the skin,
– a protective barrier against external contaminants,
– resistance adapted to patient movement,
– controlled removal to preserve skin integrity.
They are used in fixation devices for critical care and long-term infusions.

4) General bonding
Adhecare adhesive solutions meet the specific bonding requirements in the design of many medical devices (MDs), including: monitoring devices and biometric sensors, surgical devices.
These applications require adhesives capable of adapting to complex geometries, a variety of materials, and prolonged use constraints.

5) Portable devices & drug administration
Adhecare adhesive solutions play a key role in wearable medical devices and drug delivery systems. They are used in particular to attach the following to the skin: connected medical sensors, wireless insulin pumps, subcutaneous infusion patches, etc.

These applications have particularly high requirements:
– prolonged adhesion for up to 7 days,
– resistance to perspiration and movement,
– flexibility to accommodate body movements,
– compatibility with sensitive skin, particularly in patients with chronic conditions.
The adhesive becomes a strategic element in the overall performance of the device.