Selectively-Releasable Adhesive Solvent-Triggered Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adhesives used in temporary applications often cause discomfort and tissue damage during removal due to strong adhesion, particularly in medical contexts where removal of bandages from patients can be painful and lead to tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
Development of selectively-releasable adhesives, such as poly(glycerol-sebacate) (PGS), which lose adhesive strength when exposed to solvents like alcohols, allowing for easy removal with minimal force and discomfort, while maintaining adhesive strength until solvent application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional adhesives are used to ensure strong bond strength, then adhesive strength is improved, but removal becomes difficult and causes discomfort and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive transitions from a static strong bond state to a dynamic reversible state. The adhesive maintains strong bond strength during the wear period but can be rapidly weakened by solvent application, allowing easy removal when needed. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction between maintaining strong adhesion and enabling easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive properties are changed by altering the chemical environment through solvent application. The solvent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive (such as polymer chain mobility, crosslinking density, or hydrogen bonding), causing rapid reduction in adhesive strength while maintaining strong initial bonding. This parameter change enables the adhesive to switch between strong bond and easy removal states.
2Duration of action of moving object
If adhesive maintains strong bond for extended period, then duration of adhesion is improved, but removal discomfort and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent is applied in advance or at the moment of removal to pre-weaken the adhesive bond before actual detachment occurs. This preliminary chemical action reduces the force required for removal, preventing tissue damage while maintaining extended adhesion duration during the wear period. The adhesive remains strong until solvent application triggers the release mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive is designed for temporary application, then ease of removal is improved, but adhesive strength may be insufficient for extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system dynamically adjusts its bonding strength based on the application phase. During the wear period, the adhesive maintains strong bonding strength for secure attachment. When removal is needed, solvent application rapidly weakens the bond, enabling easy removal. This dynamic adaptability allows the adhesive to be both strong during wear and easy to remove when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the strong adhesive state and the easy removal state. The solvent temporarily introduces to the adhesive system, causing rapid weakening of the bond. This intermediary enables the transition from strong adhesion to easy removal without compromising the adhesive's initial bonding strength or requiring excessive removal force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesives provide strong adhesion for extended periods, reducing discomfort and tissue damage during removal, with adhesive strength rapidly decreasing upon solvent application, allowing for easy detachment and recovering once the solvent evaporates.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive strength of the adhesive can be reduced through the application of a suitable solvent
Implementation Method 2
adhesives that lose much of their adhesive strength when a solvent is applied
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for restoring adhesive strength of an adhesive that has lost at least some of its adhesive strength includes applying a restoration agent to the adhesive. In one embodiment, a selectively-releasable adhesive includes a copolymer formed from a multifunctional alcohol and a multifunctional carboxylic acid, wherein the copolymer has been cured the equivalent of less than approximately 9 hours at approximately 120° C. and 100 milliTorr.