Adhesive Component Solutions for Medical Applications

Media filtration systems play a significant role in pollution control by physically capturing pollutants and facilitating its absorption through chemical reactions. These systems are designed with specific media to target and remove particular pollutants.

Membrane separation - a crucial component in various filtration systems - relies on the careful selection of materials. These materials are chosen based on two critical factors that influence the effectiveness and longevity of the separation process:

• Pore Size Selection: One of the key determinants in membrane material choice is pore size, which directly impacts the filtration process. Smaller pore sizes prevent the passage of finer particles, enhancing the filtration efficiency. However, it's important to note that membrane "ripening" can occur over time, causing pore size reduction and a decrease in flow rate. This can lead to an element failure if the flux rate falls below the designed specification. 
• Durability and Resilience: Membranes must withstand the conditions to which they are exposed during the filtration process. Their durability is paramount to ensure they continue to function effectively over time. 

In medical separation applications, the choice of adhesive is of great importance. The selection process begins with a thorough examination of essential factors, including required certifications and bonding to the membrane and housing. These are considered critical to quality (CTQ) aspects that must be clearly identified and addressed.

Our team of experienced chemists and senior application engineers has exceptional expertise in medical potting applications. They are well-versed in the intricacies of the membranes employed for feed separation into the permeate. Their knowledge and skills are instrumental for ensuring the success of your medical separation projects.

Hollow Fiber Filter Adhesive Application

Static Potting

Potting is a straightforward process of pouring adhesive into the end of a hollow fiber filter. This adhesive serves a triple purpose: sealing the filter, anchoring the hollow fiber membranes securely, and directing all feed water through the fibers, rather than around them. Following the curing process, the filter is flipped, and the opposite side undergoes potting.

Centrifuge Potting

Certain companies opt for a centrifuge-based adhesive potting method, particularly prevalent in medical applications and with smaller filters. This centrifugal process enhances production efficiency by enabling simultaneous filling and curing of both ends of the filter.

Filter Trimming

After the adhesive has undergone curing, a crucial step involves the recutting of both ends of the filter to expose the hollow fiber openings. Additionally, this process allows for a thorough inspection of the cured adhesive to ensure top-notch quality assurance.

Choosing a medical filter adhesive is a vital decision that impacts filter quality and performance. With extensive experience and expertise in the filter potting market, H.B. Fuller understands your needs. As your partner, we align adhesive properties with filter requirements and manufacturing processes to ensure quality and reliability. Click here to view our Membrane Separation Product Selector Guide here.

Browse Our Medical Filter Potting Solutions

Medical device assembly applications vary widely, but they typically involve bonding materials that are otherwise difficult to create adhesion, including plastics and metals. Certain substrates may even require the use of primers or other surface preparation in order to achieve satisfactory adhesion. In addition to bonding parts together successfully, medical device adhesives must be compatible with direct or indirect contact with the body and may be required to withstand multiple sterilizations.

Browse Our Medical Device Assembly Solutions

Personal protection equipment (PPE) forms a barrier between an individual and airborne debris. Adhesives are a preferred method for bonding and sealing PPE because they form a reliable seal without puncturing the substrates.

Medical Drapes, Gowns, and Masks

Disposable surgical gowns are assembled by laminating two nonwoven pieces to both sides of a barrier film. Surgical face masks require adhesive solutions for strap attachment, mask forming, and fabric lamination. Surgical drapes are assembled by attaching typical components such as nonwoven anesthesia screen, poly arm covers, and nonwoven main panel using adhesives. 

Face Shield Assembly

Typical face shield assembly involves bonding a polycarbonate or polyester (PET) film to a foam.

Protective Gear Assembly

Adhesives in protective gear often bonds materials and also seals joints to prevent contamination. We offer many solutions for medical protective gear bonding and sealing applications:

• Face mask lens bonding and sealing
• Hose attachment bonding 
• Protective garment seam sealing

Many accidents and most surgical procedures end with a secure skin closure. While sutures are used for deep wounds, tissue adhesives can be used to close skin wounds from small incisions or cuts.

Browse Our Skin and Wound Closure Solutions

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. Skin is dynamic and allows for movement, and it varies in texture and thickness from one part of the body to the next. It varies greatly from person to person, and can be fragile, wet, elastic, oily, dry or any number of combinations. Choosing the right adhesive for skin attachment is both fundamental and critical when designing a medical device to ensure successful attachment to patient skin.

Our Swift® Health product portfolio, with ISO 10993 biocompatibility, brings high-performance skin attachment adhesive solutions. These adhesive solutions help deliver the products your customers want and the end-to-end support your business needs. Swift® Health adhesive solutions allow manufacturers to ensure the safest solutions with biocompatible regulatory support.

Some examples of where Swift Health adhesive solutions are used include:

• Medical tapes and bandages   
• Wearable devices   
• Wound dressing   
• Drapes and incision films   
• Athletic and kinesiology tapes   
• Specialty custom solutions

Medical Adhesive Technologies for Skin Attachment

Our most popular adhesives are solvent-based acrylic and hot melt technologies. These technologies bring different features and benefits, which are used for different medical applications. The adhesive peel adhesion for skin attachments varies from patient to patient, depending on variations in the patients' skin oiliness and their overall activity. Other factors include device design and sterilization.

Collaborating for Greater Global Success

As a global supplier to the health and medical industry, H.B. Fuller delivers the dedicated technical support and value-adding solutions you need. Our team of application and technology experts are eager to help making the right skin adhesive selection for your specific skin attachment application needs.

Do you have a specific challenge that H.B. Fuller can help you navigate? We’re eager to be your partner of choice. Contact us to learn more about how we can help solve your skin attachment bonding challenges. 

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