Silicone Patient-Side Adhesive for Repeated Sensor Reapplication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pulse oximeter sensors cause discomfort and loss of peel strength during removal and reapplication, especially in fragile skin conditions, leading to skin disruption and desaturation events.

Innovation Solution

The use of silicone-based patient-side adhesives with a peel force retention of at least 80% after 18th removal and minimal skin protein removal (0.2-0.3 N/cm) and transepidermal water loss increase of <1 mg/cm^2/hr, ensuring minimal skin disruption and comfort during repeated applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional acrylic or synthetic rubber adhesives are used, then initial peel strength is achieved, but peel strength is lost after removal and reapplication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidadhesive retention after removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by using silicone-based polymers with specific molecular weights and crosslink densities, enabling the adhesive to maintain its bonding properties after removal and reapplication, unlike traditional acrylic or synthetic rubber adhesives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite adhesive system combining silicone base polymers with specific crosslinking agents and plasticizers, creating a material that exhibits both strong initial adhesion and remarkable resilience after multiple removal and reapplication cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If traditional adhesives are removed and reapplied multiple times, then sensor monitoring continues, but skin disruption and discomfort occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor monitoring durationVSAvoidskin disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable sensor design where the adhesive layer is optimized for single-use or limited reapplication scenarios, sacrificing long-term reusability to minimize skin damage accumulation over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The silicone-based adhesive is formulated with cushioning properties that absorb removal forces and distribute stress away from the skin, preventing damage before it occurs during the removal and reapplication process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If sensor adherence is strengthened, then sensor stability improves, but skin comfort and gentleness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor stabilityVSAvoidskin discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different zones within the adhesive layer with varying properties - the outer region provides strong anchoring to the skin for sensor stability, while the inner region maintains flexibility and gentleness for patient comfort during wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4167833B1Silicone-based patient-side adhesive in a medical sensor and method for making the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

A patient monitoring sensor having a communication interface, through which the patient monitoring sensor can communicate with a monitor is provided. The patient monitoring sensor includes a light-emitting diode (LED) communicatively coupled to the communication interface and a detector, communicatively coupled to the communication interface, capable of detecting light. The patient monitoring sensor includes a silicone patient-side adhesive.