Light absorbing medical tape and uses thereof

Abstract

An adhesive is disclosed that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm and that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than, 200 g / m2 / day. The adhesive may be employed in a tape that may be adhered to a patient's body part to direct stray light out of the body part and thereby improve accuracy and efficacy of medical equipment such as pulse oximeters.

Description

LIGHT ABSORBING MEDICAL TAPE AND USES THEREOFBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to medical equipment and, more particularly, to medical tapes and adhesives used in connection with pulse oximeters.

[0002] Pulse oximeters are non-invasive medical devices that are used to measure the oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a patient's blood and / or pulse rate of the patient. These devices are commonly used in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, home healthcare environments, and emergency situations. Pulse oximetry provides vital information for assessing a patient's respiratory function and circulatory status, particularly for patients suffering from conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, sleep apnea, and those undergoing anesthesia.

[0003] Traditional pulse oximeters typically operate by emitting light from a light source through a part of patient’s body, such as their fingertip, toe or foot, and measuring the amount of light absorbed with an opposing sensor. In some instances, adhesive tapes may be used to secure the light source and the sensor to the patient’s body. A controller in operable communication with the pulse oximeter may then calculate the relative amounts of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood based on the amount of light absorbed to determine the patient’s SpCh and pulse rate.

[0004] Despite the widespread use of pulse oximeters, several challenges remain. For example, light entering the patient’s digit or other body part may be “bounce around” therewithin, which can lead to false SpCh and pulse rate readings. Accordingly, systems and methods for preventing light from “straying” and creating false readings are desirable.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration an example pulse oximeter positioned around and transmitting light through a fingertip of a patient.

[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sections of layers of distinct light transition media illustrating principles of geometric optics.

[0008] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section of an exemplary medical article that includes a light source and a light guide.

[0009] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a roll of medical adhesive tape, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic, side view of a strip of the medical adhesive tape of FIG. 4A, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration the example pulse oximeter of FIG. 1 positioned around the fingertip with a strip of the tape of FIG. 4A wrapped around the fingertip in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present disclosure relates to medical tape and, more particularly, to medical adhesives used to improve the accuracy of pulse oximeters.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example pulse oximeter 100 that may be positioned about a part, or extremity, of a patient, such as a fingertip 104. The pulse oximeter 100 may include a body 102 that includes a first body portion 102a to engage a first side 104a of the fingertip 104 and a second body portion 102b to engage a second side 104b of the fingertip 104 opposing the first side 104a. The first body portion 102a may be pivotably coupled to the second body portion 102b at a pivot (not shown) to allow the first and second body portions 102a,b to rotate between an open position, in which the fingertip 104 may be moved (positioned) between the first and second body portions 102a, b, and a closed position, in which the first and second body portions 102a,b engage the opposing first and second sides 104a,b of the fingertip 104, respectively. Alternatively, the body 102 may be a flexible tape or wrap that allows the first and second body portions 102a,b to be wrapped around the fingertip 104 to engage the opposing first and second sides 104a,b, respectively.

[0014] The first body portion 102a may support or include one or more light emitters, or light sources, to emit light into the fingertip 104. For instance, the first body portion 102a may include or support a first light emitter 106 to emit a first type of light and a second light emitter 108 to emit a second type of light different than the first type of light. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the first body portion 102a may include only a single light emitter that can transition between a first state, in which the light emitter emits the first type of light, and a second state, in which the light emitter emits the second type of light. In some example embodiments, the first type of light may be red light with a wavelength of about 660 nm andthe second type of light may be infrared light with a wavelength of about 940 nm. The first and second light emitters 106, 108 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0015] The second body portion 102b may include or support one or more light sensors for sensing light exiting the fingertip 104. For instance, the second body portion 102b may include a light sensor 110 for measuring an amount or other characteristic of light, such as red light and infrared light from the first and second light emitters 106, 108, respectively, that passes through the fingertip 104. The light sensor 110 may include a photodetector.

[0016] In operation, the pulse oximeter 100 may be used to measure a parameter of a patient, such as the oxygen saturation (SpCh) of the blood and / or the pulse rate of the patient. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitters 106, 108 may engage the first side 104a of the fingertip 104 and the sensor 110 may engage the second side 104b of the fingertip 104. A user, such as a clinician, may energize the light emitters 106, 108 and the sensor 110, thereby causing the light emitters 106, 108 to emit light (e.g. red and infrared, respectively) into the fingertip 104, through skin, tissue, and blood vessels, toward the sensor 110.

[0017] Light unabsorbed within the fingertip 104 may reach the second side 104b of the fingertip 104 and may be measured (detected) by the sensor 110. A controller 112 in operable communication with the light emitters 106, 108 and the sensor 110 may calculate (determine) an amount of light (red and infrared) absorbed by the fingertip 104 based on the amount and types of light detected by the sensor 110.

[0018] Hemoglobin in the blood absorbs light differently depending on whether it is bound to oxygen (oxygenated hemoglobin, HbCL) or not (deoxygenated hemoglobin, Hb). For instance, Hb tends to absorb more red light, while HbCL tends to absorb more infrared light. Accordingly, the controller 112 may calculate the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood (SpO2) based on the amount of absorption of the infrared light and the red light. For instance, the controller 112 may calculate the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood (SpO2) according to equation (1) below:_ Absorption of Infrared LightSpO2x 100Absorption of Red Light (1)

[0019] The controller 112 may also determine the pulse rate of the patient by monitoring the rhythmic fluctuations in the absorption of light caused by the pulsing of arterial blood with each heartbeat.

[0020] In an example use of the pulse oximeter 100, light emitted by one or both of the light emitters 106, 108, such as a first portion P 1 of light emitted by the second light emitter 108 (shown with a dash -dash arrow) may, after entering the first side 104a of the fingertip 104, travel directly through skin, tissue, and blood vessels and to the sensor 110. The sensor 110 may receive this light and the controller 112 may determine the patient’s SpCh and / or pulse rate based on the received light, as described above.

[0021] However, light emitted by one or both of the light emitters 106, 108, such as a second portion P2 of light emitted by the second light emitter 108 (shown with a dash -dot arrow) may, after entering the fingertip 104 through the first side 104a, strike the second side 104b of the fingertip 104 at an incident angle 0i.

[0022] Before proceeding, a brief description of the law of refraction and total internal reflection will be provided for the convenience of the reader. This brief description forms the basis for understanding the behavior of light, such as the second portion P2 of light, with respect to the optical (medical) devices disclosed herein. For a detailed description of the behavior of light, reference may be made to “Seeing the Light” by D.S. Falk et al. , John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1986, pp. 53-56, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0023] Light obeys the law of refraction. For interfacing first and second layers of a different light-transmitting media, light may propagate within the first layer and strike the interface between the first and second layers at an incident angle 0i. The light refracts at a transmittance angle 0t into the second layer according to the law of refraction as described by equation (2): sin 9t = (— n )(sin0i) (2) 2

[0024] wherein 0i is the incident angle, and ni and m are the refractive indices of the first and second layers, respectively.

[0025] FIG. 2A shows a pair of layers 200 having a first layer 210 and a second layer 220 with refractive indices of ni and , respectively, with m<n2. Light (represented by one or more rays (arrows) for simplicity) propagating within the first layer 210 strikes an interface 230 between the first and second layers 210, 220 at many different incident angles 0i and refracts into the second layer 220 at many different transmittance angles 0t.

[0026] FIG. 2B shows a pair of layers 240 having a first layer 250 and a second layer 260 with refractive indices of ni and , respectively, with m>n2. Light (represented byone or more rays (arrows) for simplicity) propagating within the first layer 250 strikes an interface 270 between the first and second layers 250, 260 at an incident angle 0i and refracts at a transmittance angle 0t into the second layer 260 according to the law of refraction. As an example, for light traveling from water (with a refractive index of approximately 1.33; m) to air (with a refractive index of approximately 1 .00; ), the critical angle would be about 48.75°. However, only light having an incident angle 0i less than or equal to a critical angle 0Cwill enter the second layer 260. All other light incident upon the interface 270 will be reflected. The critical angle 0c is defined by equation 3 below: sin 9c = — (3)

[0027] In general, total internal reflection occurs when light having a particular angular component or distribution is incident upon an interface at one or more angles greater than the critical angle 0C.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary optical device 300. A light source 320 is positioned relative to a lightguide 310 such that light emitted by the light source 320 enters lightguide 310 and is transported within the layer by total internal reflection. Light emitted by the light source 320 is represented by rays 330 which enter the lightguide 310 through an input surface 313. Light within the lightguide 310 is represented by single ray 340 which is transported by total internal reflection. For example, the ray 340 strikes the edges of the light guide at an incident angle greater than the critical angle, and thus, the ray 340 is reflected back into the light guide rather than passing into light-transmitting media (not shown) surrounding the light guide 340.

[0029] With the above in mind and returning now to FIG. 1, light emitted by one or both of the light emitters 106, 108, such as a second portion P2 of light emitted by the second light emitter 108 (shown with a dash-dot arrow) may, after entering the fingertip 104 through the first side 104a, strike the second side 104b of the fingertip 104 at an incident angle 0i. Where the incident angle 0i is greater than the critical angle 0c defined by the interface of the second side 104b (e.g. first layer with a refractive index m) and the surrounding air (e.g. second layer with refractive index of ). Accordingly, the second portion P2 of light from the second light emitter 108 (the dash-dot arrow) may propagate and “bounce around” within the fingertip 104, as shown with the additional dash-dot arrows in FIG. 1. This propagating “stray” light may eventually reach the sensor 110, as shown in FIG. 1, which is noise to the sensor 110 andmay lead to false SpCh and pulse readings at the controller 112. Accordingly, systems and methods for preventing light from “straying” and creating false readings are desirable.

[0030] FIG. 4A illustrates a roll of medical adhesive tape 400, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure and FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic, side view of a strip the medical adhesive tape 400, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. As will be described in more detail below, the medical adhesive tape 400 may be wrapped around, and adhered to, the fingertip 104 (FIG. 1 ) of the patient to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the amount of light that propagates, or strays, along the fingertip 104 due to total internal reflection. The adhesive tape 400 may also be constructed to prevent skin injuries to the patient while using the tape 400 in connection with a pulse oximeter 100 (FIG.l).

[0031] Before proceeding, a brief description of medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI) will now be provided for the convenience of the reader. MARSI has a significant negative impact on patient safety. Skin injury related to medical adhesive usage is prevalent but is an under recognized complication that occurs across all care settings and among all age groups. In addition, treating skin damage is costly in terms of service provision, time, and additional treatments and supplies.

[0032] Skin injury occurs when the superficial layers of the skin are removed along with the medical adhesive product, which not only affects skin integrity, but can cause pain and the risk of infection, increase wound size, and delay healing, all of which reduce patients’ quality of life.

[0033] Medical adhesive tape can be generally defined as a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a backing that acts as a carrier for the adhesive. The US Food and Drug Administration more specifically defines a medical adhesive tape or adhesive bandage as “a device intended for medical purposes that consists of a strip of fabric material or plastic, coated on one side with an adhesive, and may include a pad of surgical dressing without a disinfectant. The device is used to cover and protect wounds, to hold together the skin edges of a wound, to support an injured part of the body, or to secure objects to the skin.”

[0034] Skin injury results when the skin-to-adhesive attachment is stronger than skin-cell to skin-cell attachment. When the strength of the skin-to-adhesive bond exceeds the strength of skin-cell to skin-cell bond, cohesive failure occurs within the skin cell layer when the adhesive is removed from the skin. Accordingly, the intrinsic characteristics of an adhesive product should then be considered, as is done herein, to address factors that may lead to MARSI. Properties of the adhesive that may be considered include cohesiveness overtime andthe corresponding adhesion strength. Properties of the tape / backing / dressing that may be considered include breathability, stretch, conformability, flexibility, and strength.

[0035] With the above in mind, and with continued reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the tape 400 may include a first or “backing” layer 402 and a second or “adhesive” layer 404. The first layer 404 may include a first side 402a and a second side 402b opposing the first side 402a and the second layer 404 may be disposed (positioned) on the second side 402b of the first layer 402. While not illustrated, the tape 400 may include a second adhesive layer, similar to adhesive layer 404, disposed on the first side 402a of the first layer 402, thereby making the tape 400 similar to double-sided tape.

[0036] The adhesive layer 404 may include an adhesive, thereby allowing the tape 400 to be wrapped around, and adhered to, a part of the body of a patient, like the fingertip 104 (FIG. 1), as will be described in more detail below. The adhesive may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art to possess certain properties at room temperature including the following: (1) aggressive and permanent tack, (2) adherence with no more than finger pressure, (3) sufficient ability to hold onto an adherend (e.g., a part of the human body, like the fingertip 104), and (4) sufficient cohesive strength to be removed cleanly from the adherend. Materials that have been found to function well as PSAs are polymers designed and formulated to exhibit the requisite viscoelastic properties resulting in a desired balance of tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength. The adhesive layer 404 may have a tack of about 170 grams force. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 404 may have a tack less than 170 grams force (e.g. 125, 150, or 160 grams force) or greater than 170 grams force (e.g., 200, 225, or 250 grams force). Tack may be tested, measured or otherwise assessed per ASTM D2979. The adhesive layer 404 may have a refractive index greater than air (refractive index of about 1). For instance, adhesive layer 404 may have a refractive index of about 1.35, less than 1.35, such as 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, or 1.25, or greater than 1.35, such as 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, or 1.6. Refractive index may be measured using a refractometer that complies with ASTM D542. The refractometer may utilize an integrating sphere, with a relevant standard of ASTM E903, to account for reflection and scatter.

[0037] The adhesive layer 404 may further lack (be devoid of) animal derived materials and may be biologically safe for use on human skin. Biologically safe for use on human skin as used herein refers to an adhesive that is non-toxic, non-irritating, and nonsensitizing when applied to skin, thereby ensuring that the adhesive will not cause, or at least will not substantially cause, harm to skin or underlying tissues during use. The biological safety of the adhesives may comply with ISO 10993 and / or ISO 13485 standards.

[0038] The backing and the adhesive layers 402, 404 may be pigmented, dyed, or otherwise constructed to be black. As used herein, “black” may be defined as a color that absorbs wavelengths of visible light (about 400 to about 780nm) and may absorb infrared light up to about 1600nm. Accordingly, the first and second layers 402, 404 may absorb light with wavelengths within the range of about 400nm to about 1600nm.

[0039] The first and second layers 402, 404 may have a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) that is larger (greater) than typical tapes, such as off-the-shelf black electrical tape. With respect to medical adhesives, having an increased MVTR is advantageous as it allows moisture to escape (pass) therethrough, thereby providing breathability and comfort to the underlying skin for extended use, while maintaining the integrity of the adhesive bond between the adhesive and skin. The MVTR of the first and second layers 402, 404 may be about 200 g / m2 / day. Alternatively, the MVTR of the first and second layers 402, 404 may be less than about 200 g / m2 / day (e.g. 150, 175, or 190 g / m2 / day) or greaterthan 200 g / m2 / day (e.g. 210, 225, or 250 g / m2 / day). MVTR may be tested, measured or otherwise assessed per ASTM E96.

[0040] As referenced above, skin injury results when the skin-to-adhesive attachment is stronger than skin-cell to skin-cell attachment. When the strength of the skin-to- adhesive bond exceeds the strength of skin-cell to skin-cell bond, cohesive failure occurs within the skin cell layer, which can lead to MARSI. Accordingly, the adhesive layer 404 may have a peel force to stainless steel that is cleanly removable between about 3 oz / in and about 90 oz / in. By “cleanly”, it is meant that no, or at least substantially no, residual adhesive remains adhered to the stainless steel. Peel force may be tested, measured or otherwise assessed per ASTM D3330 / D3330M.

[0041] An exemplary use of the tape 400 will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fingertip 104 with a strip 500 of the medical adhesive tape 400 wrapped therearound. Apertures 502, 504, 506 may be defined in the strip 500 that are sized to align with, and receive therethrough, the light emitters 106, 108 and the sensor 110, respectively, when the pulse oximeter 100 is positioned around the fingertip 100. The light emitters 106, 108 and the sensor 110 may extend through the apertures 502, 504, 506, respectively, to engage the fingertip 104, thereby placing the light emitters 106, 108 and the sensor 110 into optical communication with the fingertip 104.

[0042] In operation, similar to operations described above, the pulse oximeter 100 may be used to measure oxygen saturation (SpCh) of the blood of a patient and / or the pulse rate of the patient. For example, light emitted by one or both of the light emitters 106, 108, such asthe first portion P 1 of light emitted by the first light emitter 106 (shown with a dash-dash arrow) may, after entering through the first side 104a via the first aperture 502, travel through skin, tissue, and blood vessels, and to the sensor 110. The sensor 110 may receive this light and the controller 112 may determine the patient’s SpO and / or pulse rate based on the received light, as described above.

[0043] In addition, light emitted by one or both of the light emitters 106, 108, such as the second portion P2 of light emitted by the first light emitter 108 (shown with a dash -dot arrow) may, after entering through the first side 104 via the first aperture 502, strike the second surface 104b of the fingertip 104 at a location away from the sensor 110 at an incident angle 0i. Due to the adhesive layer 404 having an increased refractive index (e.g. about 1.35) compared to air (e.g. about 1), the critical angle 0c defined between the second surface 104b and the adhesive layer 404 is increased compared to the critical angle 0c defined between the second surface 104b and air. Accordingly, the likelihood of the second portion P2 of light (dash-dot arrow) refracting out of the fingertip 104 is increased, while the likelihood of the light reflecting is decreased. Light refracted into the strip of tape 500 may then be absorbed by the black pigments of the adhesive layer 404. Accordingly, the strip of tape 500 may reduce the amount of “stray” light that would lead to false SpCh and pulse readings at the controller 112.

[0044] Accordingly, the tape 400 may define a light guiding path from the light emitters 106, 108 to the sensor 110, via the apertures 502, 504, 506, while substantially inhibiting total internal reflection from occurring within the fingertip 104 that would lead to less false readings at the sensor 110, thereby providing more accurate readings of the pulse oximeter 100. While the tape 400 was described above with respect to use with apulse oximeter 100, the tape 400, or the adhesive layer 404 alone, may be used in other contexts, such as with other body sensors, that may benefit from the benefits provided by the tape 400 and adhesive layer 404, described elsewhere herein.

[0045] In some embodiments, the tape 400 may be used to secure the light emitters 106, 108 and the sensors 110 to the fingertip 104 absent the body 102 of the pulse oximeter 100.

[0046] Example 1: An example medical tape 400 was generated by blending black pigmented polyethylene (PE) pellets from Primex Color and Compounding Inc. via twin screw extrusion into Transpore holt melt PSA at a 5% by weight loading and were hot melt coated at 2 mils PSA thickness onto silicone platinum (PT) cure silicone paper liner to create a black adhesive transfer tape. Next, two layers of the 2 mil tape was transferred to polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) film to make a 4mil thick tape. This 4 mil tape was shown to block red light and still have PSA performance.

[0047] Example 2: An example medical tape 400 was prepared by homogenizing a pre-made silicone adhesive consisting of 80% PDMS (Wacker AK 1,000,000) and 20% MQ Resin (Wacker 803TF) with a pigmented PDMS masterbatch (Wacker FL901 l,Elastosil Color Paste FL Deep Black RAL 9011 from Wacker) using a speed mixer (Hauschild SMART DAC 400.4 VAC-P LR) at 1000 RPM for 5 seconds, then 2400 rpm for 25 seconds. The masterbatch was 8.5% by weight of the total sample. The sample was mixed then coated, within about 10 min., to a thickness of 4 mil onto release liner using a notched bar coater. The sample was then cured using a 280kV electron beam to a dose of 3MRad and covered with another release liner to form a transfer adhesive. The transfer adhesive was then laminated to a film, similar to other films described herein, using a rubber roller and prepared for testing for MVTR and Tack. No visible Light could be seen through the Black Silicone PSA itself, as well as the Laminated tape sample that was tested. The Black Silicone PSA was tested to have a MVTR of 372.8 g / m2 / day and a tack of 170.54g. Additional information regarding silicone adhesives can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,771, titled “GENTLE TO SKIN ADHESIVE”, which issued on April 28, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0048] Embodiments disclosed herein include:

[0049] A. An adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm and that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than, 200 g / m2 / day.

[0050] B. A medical adhesive tape comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the backing layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm, wherein the medical adhesive tape has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than, 200 g / m2 / day.

[0051] C. A method comprising defining a first aperture and a second aperture in a strip of medical adhesive tape, wrapping the strip of medical adhesive tape around a part of a patient, inserting a light emitter of a pulse oximeter through the first aperture to engage the part of the patient, inserting a sensor of the pulse oximeter through the second aperture to engage the part of the patient, emitting light from the light emitter to the sensor through the part of the patient, and measuring a parameter of the patient based on the light received by the sensor.

[0052] Each of embodiments A-C may have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination: Element 1: further having a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force; Element 2: which is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in; Element 3: further lacking animal derived materials; Element4: further being biologically safe for use on human skin; Element 5: wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive; Element 6: further having a refractive index of about, or greater than, 1.35; Element 7: wherein the adhesive has a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force; Element 8: wherein the adhesive is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in; Element 9: wherein the adhesive lacks animal derived materials; Element 10: wherein the adhesive is biologically safe for use on human skin; Element 11: wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive; Element 12: wherein the adhesive layer has refractive index of about, or greater than, 1.35; Element 13 : wherein the parameter comprises at least one of oxygen saturation (SpO2) or pulse rate; Element 14: wherein the medical adhesive tape comprises an adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm and that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than 200 g / m2 / day, and wherein the method further comprises adhering the medical adhesive tape to the part of the patient with the adhesive; Element 15: wherein the adhesive has a refractive index of about, or greater than, 1.35; Element 16: wherein the adhesive has a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force; Element 17: wherein the adhesive is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in.

[0053] By way of non-limiting example, exemplary combinations applicable to A, B, and C include: two or more of Elements 1-6; two or more of Elements 7-12; two or more of Elements 13-17.

[0054] Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and / or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of’ or “consist of’ the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range fallingwithin the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about ato about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately ato b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

[0055] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’ preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of’ allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

[0056] The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm and that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than, 200 g / m2 / day.

2. The adhesive of Claim 1, further having a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force.

3. The adhesive of Claim 1, which is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in.

4. The adhesive of Claim 1, further lacking animal derived materials.

5. The adhesive of Claim 1, further being biologically safe for use on human skin.

6. The adhesive of Claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The adhesive of Claim 1, further having a refractive index of about, or greater than, 1.35.

8. A medical adhesive tape, comprising: a backing layer; and an adhesive layer disposed on the backing layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm; wherein the medical adhesive tape has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than, 200 g / m2 / day.

9. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive has a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force.

10. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in.

11. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive lacks animal derived materials.

12. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive is biologically safe for use on human skin.

13. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

14. The medical adhesive tape of Claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer has refractive index of about, or greater than, 1.35.

15. A method, comprising: defining a first aperture and a second aperture in a strip of medical adhesive tape; wrapping the strip of medical adhesive tape around a part of a patient; inserting a light emitter of a pulse oximeter through the first aperture to engage the part of the patient; inserting a sensor of the pulse oximeter through the second aperture to engage the part of the patient; emitting light from the light emitter to the sensor through the part of the patient; and measuring a parameter of the patient based on the light received by the sensor.

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the parameter comprises at least one of oxygen saturation (SpO2) or pulse rate.

17. The method of Claim 15, wherein the medical adhesive tape comprises an adhesive that absorbs light within the range of 400-1400nm and that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of about, or greater than 200 g / m2 / day, and wherein the method further comprises adhering the medical adhesive tape to the part of the patient with the adhesive.

18. The method of Claim 17, wherein the adhesive has a refractive index of about, or greaterthan, 1.35.

19. The method of Claim 17, wherein the adhesive has a tack of about, or greater than, 170 grams force.

20. The method of Claim 17, wherein the adhesive is cleanly removable from stainless steel at a peel force between about 3 oz / in to about 90 oz / in.

Images