Wearable Adhesive Removal Element for Low-Irritation Detachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable medical devices with stronger, longer-wear adhesives can cause skin irritation and damage when removed due to their residual strength at the end of the required life, necessitating improved removal techniques.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a removal element, such as a cord, string, or wire-like element secured to the adhesive surface, which can be engaged to shear the adhesive connection with the skin, facilitating easy removal of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stronger, longer-wear adhesives are used to attach the wearable device to the skin, then the device can be securely attached and maintain attachment for extended periods, but the adhesive remains securely attached at the end of the required life causing skin irritation and damage when the device is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented into two distinct layers: a first adhesive layer that provides strong initial attachment and a second adhesive layer with lower strength that facilitates easy removal. This segmentation allows the device to maintain secure attachment during use while enabling painless removal at the end of the required wear period, thus resolving the contradiction between strong attachment and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the adhesive system have different properties: the first adhesive layer (or specific regions thereof) has high adhesion strength for secure attachment, while the second adhesive layer (or specific regions) has reduced adhesion strength for easy removal. This local differentiation of adhesive properties allows the same adhesive system to provide both strong attachment during wear and easy removal without skin damage.
2Strength
If the adhesive is made stronger to support heavier wearable medication delivery devices, then the device can remain attached longer and support more weight, but the removal process causes more skin irritation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is divided into multiple layers with different strength characteristics. The first adhesive layer provides the strong bond needed to support heavier devices, while the second adhesive layer provides a weaker interface that breaks first during removal, allowing the device to be easily detached without requiring excessive force that would damage the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single strong adhesive that requires forceful removal, the invention inverts the approach by using a layered adhesive system where the weaker layer is positioned to fail first during removal. This inversion allows the strong adhesive to provide necessary attachment strength while the weak adhesive layer facilitates easy removal, effectively reversing the traditional problem-solution relationship.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved wearable drug delivery device and method for removal are provided. In some embodiments, a device may include a device body coupled to an adhesive layer, and a removal element coupled to the adhesive layer. The removal element may include an end section proximate a perimeter of the adhesive layer and a central section connected to the end section, wherein a force applied to the end section causes the central section to transition from a first configuration to a second configuration.