Adhesive patch

Abstract

The invention provides an adhesive patch for releasably attaching a medical device to the skin, wherein the adhesive patch has a skin-facing side and an opposite device-facing side, the adhesive patch comprising: a base layer said base layer provided with: a first adhesive on at least part of the device-facing side; a second adhesive on at least part of the skin- facing side; a release liner covering the first adhesive, characterized in that the release liner comprises an inner portion and an outer portion encircling the inner portion; and the inner portion being is independently releasable from the adhesive patch.

Description

[0001] ADHESIVE PATCH

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an adhesive patch for releasably attaching a medical device to the skin. It further relates to a method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch and to a method for removing a medical device from an adhesive patch. It also relates to a kit of parts comprising a medical device and an adhesive patch.

[0004] Technical Background

[0005] Adhesive patches for releasably attaching a reusable medical device to the skin are employed in different medical applications for various purposes. These adhesive patches typically provide one adhesive surface that adheres to the skin and another adhesive surface that adheres to a reusable medical device, such as a physiological parameter detection device, a sensor, or another medical device or part thereof. The reusable medical device can be attached to the adhesive patch for its intended use and for a predetermined period before removal the device. After removal, the reusable medical device needs to be prepared for its next use.

[0006] Removal of the reusable medical device from the adhesive patch after its intended use may lead to a transfer of the adhesive material from the patch to the device, thus requiring the medical device to be intensively cleaned from any remaining adhesive material, so that it is appropriately prepared for its next use. Such subsequent cleaning of the medical device is inconvenient and time-consuming. Moreover, adhesive residual removal from the device may be harmful to the surface material of the medical device.

[0007] Also, the correct positioning of a medical device on the patch may be non-trivial to achieve but important for the function of the device. If the medical device is not aligned and positioned to the patch correctly, this may lead to a low performance of the device operation. If an incorrect positioning of the device has been identified, additional steps of removing the device that adheres to the patch and reattaching it at a better position would be necessary. Such additional steps are highly inconvenient. In addition to these drawbacks, removal of the medical device may, as discussed above, lead to the transfer of adhesive material from patch to the device. There is therefore a need in the art to provide improved patches for easily attaching and removing medical devices.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] One objective of the present invention is to provide an adhesive patch that at least partly meets the needs in the art. The inventors have found that an adhesive patch defined in this disclosure is advantageous for these purposes.

[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides an adhesive patch for releasably attaching a medical device to the skin, wherein the adhesive patch has a skin-facing side and an opposite device-facing side, the adhesive patch comprising a base layer, said base layer being provided with a first adhesive on at least part of the device-facing side, a second adhesive on at least part of the skin-facing side, and a release liner covering the first adhesive.

[0011] The release liner comprises an inner portion and an outer portion encircling the inner portion, and the inner portion is independently releasable from the adhesive patch, i.e., it can be released from the adhesive patch while the outer portion of the release liner remains attached to the patch. As the inner portion of the release liner is independently releasable, it can be at least partially removed from the base layer to expose the portion of the first adhesive previously covered by that inner part of the release liner. A medical device can then be attached to the adhesive patch via this exposed portion of the first adhesive.

[0012] As the inner portion of the release liner is independently releasable from the patch, the outer portion, that remains on the patch when the inner portion has been removed, can also serve as an alignment frame for attaching the medical device to the patch. In other words, after removal of the inner portion, the outer portion may provide guidance for a user to position the medical device at its intended attachment position of the patch. This may enable the positioning and attachment the medical device to the patch.

[0013] The outer portion of the release liner that remains on the patch after removal of the inner portion as mentioned before covers a portion of the first adhesive that is not exposed. In a method of removing a medical device that is attached to the patch, this outer portion helps to reduce the unwanted transfer of the first adhesive from the exposed portion to the medical device, i.e., after removal, the first adhesive effective in holding the device to the patch tends to stay on the adhesive patch rather than on the medical device.

[0014] Accordingly, the adhesive patch of the present disclosure may improve both the attachment of a medical device to patch through the guiding function of the outer portion, as well as it may improve the removal of the medical device from the patch by reducing the transfer of the first adhesive from the patch to the medical device.

[0015] The above-described inner portion and outer portion of the release liner may be divided by a separation line, i.e. the release liner may be made out of a single piece of material that is then provided with an separation line to divide it into the inner and outer portion, thereby simplifying the release of the inner portion, as the separation line provides a predetermined breaking point for separating the inner portion from the outer portion.

[0016] The inner portion described above may be completely releasable, i.e., removable, from the adhesive patch, e.g. when the separation line fully encircles the inner portion. Removal of the inner portion prevents any undesired interaction of the inner portion with the medical device during its attachment.

[0017] Alternatively, the inner portion may be partly releasable, in that there may be a bridging material from the inner to the outer portion such that the inner portion, while being released from the adhesive of the patch, does not come loose from the adhesive patch but remains attached to the outer portion, such that a first part of the inner portion facing the base layer is released while the inner portion remains connected to the outer portion and to the base layer over a second part.

[0018] Also, the above-described adhesive patch may be provided with means for identifying a peel-off region for releasing the inner portion aiding in pinpointing the peel-off region for separating the inner portion from the outer portion to finally release the inner portion from the adhesive patch. Such means may e.g., comprise graphic indications, protrusions and / or indentations of the inner and outer portions. The means are strategically placed to pinpoint the peel-off region, for initiating and facilitating a quick and intuitive separation of the inner portion from the outer portion to finally release the inner portion from the adhesive patch. In the adhesive patch, the base layer may extend laterally outside the release layer around the whole patch, i.e. the base layer portion that extends outside the release liner encircles the release liner, thereby providing a larger surface for a more convenient handling.

[0019] The first adhesive may be provided as a double-sided adhesive tape, such as comprising a carrier layer coated on both sides by adhesives, being an intermediate layer within the patch having a base-layer facing side provided with an adhesive material that adheres reliably to the carrier layer and the base layer, and an opposite device-facing side provided with an adhesive material that adheres reliably to the carrier layer and reliably and releasably to the medical device, while also adhering sufficiently to the release liner.

[0020] The base layer described above may also comprise a through-hole encircled by a remainder of the base layer area, the through-hole creating a contact area between the medical device and the skin, when the medical device is attached to the skin.

[0021] Preferably, the cut-out or the through-hole is located within the boundaries defined by the inner portion of the release liner, the through-hole thereby aiding in the correct positioning of the medical device in respect to the cut-out or the through-hole.

[0022] The above-mentioned outer portion may have a color that is visually distinct from the color of the base layer, thereby providing visually distinct visual cues for where to attach the medical device at the medical patch.

[0023] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a medical device and the afore-mentioned adhesive patch, for example wherein the footprint of the exposed portion matches the footprint of the medical device, thereby facilitating an essentially entire coverage of the surface of the exposed portion with the medical device.

[0024] For example, the kit of part could comprise an ultrasonic transducer and an adhesive patch having a through-hole as described above.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing the herein disclosed patch, b) releasing the inner portion of the release liner thereby creating an exposed portion of the first adhesive on the device side, as detailed elsewhere, herein; and c) attaching the medical device to the exposed portion of the first adhesive; as detailed elsewhere herein. By releasing the inner portion and thereby creating the exposed portion, the outer portion that remains on the base layer acts as a guiding frame for aligning the medical device to the patch.

[0026] Preferably, in the above-mentioned method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch, the footprint of the exposed portion matches the footprint of the medical device, thereby facilitating an essentially entire coverage of the surface of the exposed portion with the medical device.

[0027] In yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing a medical device from an adhesive patch comprising the steps of: a) attaching a rigid medical device to the herein disclosed adhesive patch, according to the afore-mentioned method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch; and b) removing the medical device from the exposed portion. As detailed elsewhere herein, in the adhesive patch the amount of first adhesive that is transferred from the adhesive patch to the device is reduced when the medical device is removed from the adhesive patch.

[0028] Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become evident upon thorough examination of the detailed description, accompanied by appropriate reference to the accompanying illustrations.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0030] Brief Description of Drawings

[0031] Fig. 1 plan view on the device-facing side of an adhesive patch for releasably attaching a medical device to the skin according to the invention;

[0032] Fig. 2 cross-sectional view of the adhesive patch of Fig. 1 for releasably attaching a medical device to the skin according to this invention;

[0033] Fig. 3 cross-sectional view of the adhesive patch of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 provided in a method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch; showing the patch with a removed inner portion of the release liner and an exposed portion;

[0034] Fig. 4 cross-sectional view of the adhesive patch of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 provided in a method for attaching a medical device to an adhesive patch; showing the medical device attached to the exposed portion and the second adhesive attached to the skin;

[0035] Fig. 5 front view of an adhesive patch of the invention attached to the skin; showing a medical device being attached to the skin at a position in cranial orientation to the navel;

[0036] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Fig. 1 is a plan view on the device-facing side 2 of an adhesive patch 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The adhesive patch 1 has a skin-facing side 3 that is opposite to device-facing side 2. The base layer 4 is made of flexible material, typically a web material such as non-woven, fabric or film-material, and it extends laterally outside the release liner 7 around the whole adhesive patch 1. Alternatively, the base layer 4 may have the same lateral extension as the release liner 7 or only partly extend laterally outside the release liner 7. The release liner 7, on-top of the base layer 4 at the device-facing side 2, comprises an inner portion 9, which is encircled by an outer portion 10.

[0039] The adhesive patch 1 of Fig. 1 has a separation line 8 with a continuous cut-through of a release liner 7, which is provided as single sheet of material. This cut-through separates the inner portion 9 from the outer portion 10. Generally, the separation line 8 may be created by any suitable means suitable for lowering the integrity and / or weakening the release liner 7 material. As such, it may be a discontinuous cut-through line, or comprise perforation(s) or line(s) of weakening, or the like.

[0040] As to the release liner 7, it may also be provided by two different sheets of individual release liners instead of by a single sheet of material. In that case, a first release liner material would serve as the releasable inner portion 9 and a second release liner material may serve as the outer portion 10. The separation line 8 may then not be needed to be created by above means for lowering the integrity and / or weakening the release liner 7. Instead, a separation line 8 would already be present at the interface of the said first release liner 7 and the second release liner 7.

[0041] The separation line 8 described above may comprise a cut-through line, i.e., the release liner material is cut-through, such as by means of kiss-cutting, to separate the release liner 7 into the inner portion 9 and outer portion 10, thereby simplifying the separation of the inner portion 9 from the outer portion 10 , so that the outer portion 10 of the release liner 7 remains attached to the adhesive patch 1 when releasing the inner portion 9.

[0042] The adhesive patch 1 may also comprise means (not shown) for identifying a peel-off region for releasing the inner portion 9 from the adhesive patch 1. These means can encompass various technologies or systems that may be used to distinguish the peel-off region at the release liner 7, e.g. either visually (visual means), or haptically (haptic means). Visual means for identifying a peel-off region could involve the use of strategically placed graphic indications that provide visually distinct visual cues to identify the peel-off region for releasing the inner portion 9 from the adhesive patch 1 , such as printed symbols, shapes, patterns, or colors applied to the material surface, which are applied to the material to mark or highlight the designated area for peeling. Haptic means could employ specialized materials with unique properties, such as adhesive coatings or substrates with distinct textures, to provide a tactile or sensory cue to the user.

[0043] Alternatively, the means for identifying a peel-off region may comprises a protrusion or an indentation of the inner and / or the outer portion 10. The protrusion may be part of the separation line 8, distinct from other line parts. A protrusion of the inner portion 9 may lead to a lateral extension of the inner portion 9 and of the separation line 8 while a corresponding indentation would be present at the outer portion 10. A protrusion of the outer portion 10 may lead to a medial extension of the outer portion 10 and of the separation line 8 while a corresponding indentation would be present at the inner portion 9. Alternatively means for identifying a peel-off region may encompass a pull-tab that protrudes from the planar surface towards the device-facing side 2. The pull-tab may then be a separate piece of material reliably attached to the inner portion 9. It may also be an integral of the inner portion 9, e.g. when the inner portion 9 is provided as a separate release liner 7 material, as detailed elsewhere herein. Fig. 2 shows cross-sectional view of the adhesive patch 1 of Fig. 1. On the device-facing side 2, the part of the base layer 4 that is covered with the release liner 7, i.e. , the part of the base layer 4 that does not extend laterally beyond the release liner 7, is provided with the first adhesive 6. The skin-facing side 3 of the base layer 4 is entirely covered with a second adhesive 5. A protective film 12, which may be of the same material as the release liner 7, covers the second adhesive 5 and is the outermost layer on the skin-facing side 3.

[0044] As the part of the base layer on the device-facing side 2 that laterally extends beyond the release liner 7, is free of a first adhesive 6, it provides a surface for a more convenient handling. However, in embodiments where the base layer does not extend laterally beyond the release liner 7, it may also be entirely covered with the first adhesive 6 and with the release liner 7.

[0045] Also, the skin-facing side 3 of the base layer 4 may be partially covered with the second adhesive 5 while being free of second adhesive 5 at an outer part of the base layer 4 that would laterally extend beyond the protective film 12. The part of the base layer 4 that is then free of second adhesive 5 would then allow for an easy removal of the adhesive patch 1 from the skin 22 (not shown in Fig. 2).

[0046] The first adhesive 6 and the second adhesive 5 are selected to be proper for the use case with a proper balancing of properties. The first adhesive 6 is intended to keep the medical device 20 secured to the base layer 4, while allowing the medical device 20 to be removed from the adhesive patch 1 , whereas the second adhesive 5 is intended to keep the adhesive patch 1 secured to the skin 22 of the user, while being skin-friendly.

[0047] Each of the first adhesive 6 and the second adhesive 5 may be provided as double-sided adhesive tapes, each comprising carrier layer on each side provided with an adhesive composition but may alternatively be provided by coating the device-facing side 2 of the base layer 4 with the first adhesive 6 and / or coating the skin-facing side 3 with the second adhesive 5.

[0048] For a first adhesive 6 in form of a double-sided adhesive, the carrier layer is, on its base layer-facing side, provided with an adhesive composition to secure the carrier layer to the base layer 4, and is on its opposing, device-facing side 3 provided with an adhesive composition to secure the medical device to the carrier layer. For a second adhesive 5 in form of a double-sided adhesive, the carrier layer is, on its base layer-facing side, provided with an adhesive composition to secure the carrier layer to the base layer 4, and on its opposing, skin-facing side 3 provided with an adhesive composition to secure the medical device 20 to the skin 22.

[0049] Adhesive compositions that may be used include, but are not limited to, pressure-sensitive adhesives such as acrylic-based adhesives and silicone-based adhesives. Preferably, acrylic-based adhesives are used to bind to the medical device 20 and silicone-based adhesives are used to bind to the skin 22. Other suitable adhesives will be apparent to the skilled person.

[0050] The medical device 20 is typically attached to the adhesive patch 1 along the process illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Generally, the inner portion 9 of the release liner 7 is removed from the adhesive patch 1 , thereby creating an exposed portion 14 of the first adhesive 6 (see Fig. 3). Thereafter the medical device 20 is attached (see Fig. 4) to the exposed portion 14, using the outer portion 10 of the release liner 7 as a guide to correctly position the medical device 20 on the adhesive patch 1. Thereafter, the protective film 12 is removed from the second adhesive 5, and the adhesive patch 1 , with the medical device 20 is attached to the skin 22 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0051] Alternatively, the adhesive patch 1 may be attached to the skin 22 before attaching the medical device 20 to the adhesive patch 1.

[0052] As the inner portion 9 is removed, the outer portion 10 that remains on the base layer 4 guides the medical device 20 to the exposed portion 14 for attachment to the adhesive patch 1. The outer portion 10 does so by providing a guiding frame, encircling the area of the exposed portion 14.

[0053] When a medical device 20 is attached to the adhesive patch 1 , as shown in Fig. 4, the attached portion of the medical device 20 may cover essentially the entire surface of the exposed portion 14. It may be advantageous that essentially no part, or at least that as little as possible, of the exposed portion 14 extends laterally outside the medical device 20, for example to prevent the first adhesive 6 to come in contact with clothing or other material. The medical device 20 and the adhesive patch 1 are therefore advantageously designed such that the exposed portion 14 matches the footprint of the medical device 20, i.e. the exposed portion 14 has essentially the same size and shape as that part of the medical device 20 that is intended to be attached to the adhesive patch 1. The outer portion 10 may also have a color that is visually distinct from the color of the base layer 4, thereby providing visually distinct visual cues at the outer portion 10 that further improve the guiding function of the outer portion 10 by providing a visually distinct guiding frame. Thus, a visually distinct color at the outer portion 10 may indicate where the medical device 20 is to be attached at the patch, when the inner portion 9 is removed, and the exposed portion 14 is created.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 1 , the patch may also comprise through-hole 11 that penetrates all layers of the patch, including the inner portion 9 and the base layer 4. While illustrated as a rectangle, the through-hole 11 (that may be replaced by a cut-out as detailed elsewhere and also in relation to Fig. 4) may have other shapes, e.g. squares, circles, ellipsis, stars, depending on the purpose for the through-hole 11.

[0055] In some embodiments, the medical device 20 requires contact with the skin 22, and therefore at least one through-hole 11 is advantageously provided, through which the medical device 20 can access the skin 22. As can also be seen in Fig. 4, the through-hole 11 creates a contact area between the medical device 20 and the skin 22 when the medical device 20 is attached to the adhesive patch 1. The through-hole 11 extends through the base layer 4 and the adhesive layers 5, 6, and it may or may not extend through the release liner 7 and protective film 12.

[0056] As shown in the figures, the through-hole 11 may advantageously be located within the boundaries defined by the inner portion 9 of the release liner 7, i.e. so that it is covered by the medical device 20 when attached to the adhesive patch 1. In such embodiments, the adhesive patch 1 and the medical device 20 are in adapted to each other, so as that when the medical device 20 is correctly positioned on the patch, e.g., by means of the guiding function of the outer portion 10 of the release liner 7, it is also correctly positioned in respect of the through-hole 11 to enable the proper contact with the skin 22. For instance, the medical device 20 may comprise a measuring window 24 which, when the medical device 20 is properly attached to the adhesive patch 1 , is aligned with the through-hole 11.

[0057] Generally, the through-hole 11 should be slightly bigger than the measuring window 24 to provide some margins, but not so large to impair the secure attachment between the medical device 20 and the adhesive patch 1. For example, the medical device 20 may be a wearable ultrasonic transducer and the measurement window 24 may be an ultrasonic window. In that case, indirect contact with the skin 22 may, for example, provided using an ultrasound gel as coupling means. Exemplary ultrasonic transducers that may be used are disclosed in EP3223758 A1 incorporated by reference herein. However, direct contact with the skin 22 for other applications, that e.g. involve an medical device 20 having an injection needle may also be achieved when the adhesive patch 1 has either a through-hole 11 or cut-out as detailed before.

[0058] In applications where there is no need of a contact area between the medical device 20 and the skin 22, the adhesive patch 1 does not necessarily need to be provided with such a through-hole 11.

[0059] After the medical device 20 has been attached to the adhesive patch 1 , the medical device 20 is enabled to perform its measurements. When the measurement is finished, the medical device 20 is subsequently removed from the adhesive patch 1. The medical device 20 may stay attached for time periods of up to several days or several weeks.

[0060] After use the medical device 20 is typically removed from the adhesive patch 1 and prepared for being attached to a new adhesive patch 1. When removing the medical device 20, peel forces are exerted on the first adhesive 6 of the exposed portion 14 in the pull direction, leading to the risk for unwanted transfer of the first adhesive 6 to the medical device 20. As the outer portion 10 however remains on the adhesive patch 1 , the amount of first adhesive 6 that is transferred due to the removal of the medical device 20 is reduced. Without wishing to be bound to by theory, it is believed that this reduction is achieved through shear forces that are exerted by the presence of the outer portion 10 that aids in protecting the first adhesive 6 from being removed from the exposed portion 14. The shear forces thus effectively counteract the peel forces present during removal of the medical device 20.

[0061] Due to the reduced transfer of the first adhesive 6 to the medical device 20, the cleaning of adhesive residuals of the medical device 20 from adhesive residuals is at least less intensive and time-consuming. Moreover, the surface material of the medical device 20 is less stressed and harmed through the cleaning. Thus, a convenient method of removing the medical device 20 from the adhesive patch 1 is provided by the adhesive patch 1 disclosed herein.

[0062] Accordingly, the herein disclosed adhesive patch 1 is advantageous both in attaching and removing a medical device 20. The outer portion 10 that remains on the patch guides the medical device 20 to the correct attachment position, whereas it also leads to the reduction of undesired transfer of the first adhesive 6 from the base layer to the medical device 20, when removing the medical device 20 from the adhesive patch 1 .

[0063] Figure 5 shows a front view of another embodiment of an adhesive patch 1 of the invention attached to the skin 22 at a position in cranial orientation to the navel 28 of a body 30. According to this embodiment, the medical device 20 is a wearable ultrasonic transducer and the adhesive patch 1 is adapted for ultrasound measurement as detailed elsewhere herein. The ultrasonic device is accordingly positioned on the body 30 of a patient to recognize a full bladder and when a full bladder is detected the medical device 20 may act on it by providing feedback to a user, e.g. through sound or through vibration of a mobile device by making use of Bluetooth connection to the mobile device to a dedicated app. The ultrasonic device may stay attached at the skin 22 e.g. for 24 hours which means that the first adhesive 6 and second adhesive 5 (not shown) are accordingly optimized to carry the ultrasonic device for 24 hours and to stay attached during this time frame. After 24 hours, the adhesive patch 1 may be exchanged by removal of the medical device 20 and attachment to a fresh adhesive patch 1 .

[0064] The adhesive patch 1 as illustrated in Fig. 5 has four wings 26 protruding on its base layer 4 but other shapes of the adhesive patch 1 may also be possible.

[0065] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, multiple other modifications and variations are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the appended claims will encompass such modifications and variations that are within the true scope of the invention. Reference Sign List

[0066] 1 adhesive patch

[0067] 2 device-facing side

[0068] 3 skin-facing side

[0069] 4 base layer

[0070] 5 second adhesive

[0071] 6 first adhesive

[0072] 7 release liner

[0073] 8 separation line

[0074] 9 inner portion

[0075] 10 outer portion

[0076] 11 through-hole

[0077] 12 protective film

[0078] 14 exposed portion

[0079] 20 medical device

[0080] 22 skin

[0081] 24 measuring window

[0082] 26 wings

[0083] 28 navel

[0084] 30 body

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An adhesive patch (1) for releasably attaching a medical device (20) to the skin (22), the patch (1) having a skin-facing side (3) and an opposite device-facing side (2), the patch (1) comprising: a base layer (4), said base layer (4) being provided with a first adhesive (6) on at least part of the device-facing side (2); a second adhesive (5) on at least part of the skin-facing side (3), a release liner (7) covering the first adhesive (6); characterized in that: the release liner (7) comprises an inner portion (9) and an outer portion (10) encircling the inner portion (9), the inner portion (9) being independently releasable from the adhesive patch (1).

2. The adhesive patch according to claim 1 , wherein the inner portion (9) and the outer portion (10) are divided by a separation line (8).

3. The adhesive patch according to claim 2, wherein the separation line (8) comprises a cut-through line.

4. The adhesive patch according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner portion (9) is completely releasable from the patch (1).

5. The adhesive patch according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the patch (1) is provided with means for identifying a peel-off region for releasing the inner portion (9).

6. The adhesive patch according to claim 5, wherein the means comprise graphic indications.

7. The adhesive patch according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the means comprise protrusions and / or indentations of the inner portion (9) and / or the outer portion (10).

8. The adhesive patch according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the base layer (4) extends laterally outside the release liner (7) around the whole patch.

9. The adhesive patch according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the first adhesive (6) is provided as a double-sided adhesive tape.

10. The adhesive patch according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the base layer (4) has a through-hole (11) encircled by a remainder of the base layer (4) area.

11. The adhesive patch according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the through-hole (11) is located within the boundaries defined by the inner portion (9) of the release liner (7).

12. The adhesive patch according to claims 1 to 12, wherein the outer portion (10) has a colour that is visually distinct from the colour of the base layer (4).

13. Kit of parts comprising a medical device (20) and an adhesive patch (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims.

14. The kit of parts according to claim 13 comprising a medical device (20) and an adhesive patch (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the footprint of the medical device (20) matches the footprint of the first adhesive (6) covered by the inner portion (9) of the release liner (7).

15. The kit of parts according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the medical device (20) is a ultrasonic transducer, and wherein the adhesive patch (1) is as defined in claim 10.

16. Method for attaching a medical device (20) to an adhesive patch (1) comprising the steps of: a. providing an adhesive patch (1) as defined in claim 1 to 12; b. releasing the inner portion (9) of the release liner (7), thereby creating an exposed portion (14) of the first adhesive (6); c. attaching the medical device (20) to the exposed portion (14).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein in the adhesive patch (1) the footprint of the exposed portion (14) matches the footprint of the medical device (2).

18. Method for removing a medical device (20) from an adhesive patch (1) comprising the steps of: a. attaching a medical device (20) to an adhesive patch (1) according to claim 16; b. removing the medical device (20) from the exposed portion (14).

Images