With the growth of wireless monitoring and the move to outpatient and home-based care, more patients are wearing medical devices attached to their skin. In addition to traditional prosthetics, heart monitors and ostomy devices, wearable devices include new designs that enable advanced functionality, such as monitoring skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays or relaying information about body movements to guide proper back exercises. The diversity of skin-adhered devices and their growing use outside the acute care setting require new pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) that can deliver flexibility and breathability without skin sensitisation – all factors that promote patient compliance.
