Muamer Mujkic, project manager - marketing, from manufacturing company Artimelt, explains why it’s important to think about adhesives during the sterilisation process.
Adhesives are involved in the packaging and sterilisation of all medical products. Therefore, it is vital that the properties of adhesives remain unchanged by the sterilisation process, and that the sterile properties of the product remain the same over extended periods of time.
There are lots of different types of adhesives including:
- Adhesives which form direct bonds on the skin e.g. Plasters
- Laminating adhesives which do not come in to contact with human skin
Plasters such as Artimelt M11.1506 are designed for direct contact with sensitive skin. Whereas surgery drapes are formed from multiple layers of laminating adhesives such as Artimelt M12.317. In some cases, a self-adhesive edge strip such as Artimelt M11.1566 can be applied to ensure that the drape can be attached to the patient’s skin.
Electrocardiogram electrodes also involve laminating adhesives. Here, the adhesives ensure the components remain reliably and constantly stuck together. However, there can be issues involved with the use of laminating adhesives as although they are dry and non-sticky at room temperature, when they are heated up the adhesives can become soft and its properties can change. When pressure is applied, the adhesive forms a bond to the substrate. It is important for manufacturers to think about what will happen to the adhesive during the sterilisation process.
Manufacturer Artimelt conducted a study looking at adhesives and the responses to the following sterilisation methods:
- Ethylene oxide
- Gamma radiation
- X-ray radiation
Artimelt M11.1566, an adhesive for plasters and tapes was used in the study, and the results indicated minimal differences were experienced with each sterilisation method for this adhesive. Therefore, Artilmelt concludes its adhesive almost retains its original properties during sterilisation.