In research studies and healthcare settings, minimizing patient burden is essential for reliable data collection with wearables and devices. At Strados Labs, we understand the importance of these factors with the RESP® Biosensor, which is designed to continuously capture lung sounds such as coughing and wheezing in daily life. A critical part of the RESP Biosensor’s effectiveness is its ability to adhere seamlessly to a patient’s skin—for this task we made a careful decision to choose the Tegaderm™ Transparent Film Dressing, a reliable medical adhesive developed by 3M.

For the past 40 years, the Tegaderm adhesive has been adopted by healthcare systems across the globe for various applications due to its gentleness, versatility and ability to prevent infections. In this article we provide an overview of Tegaderm and why our team has the most confidence in this adhesive for the RESP Biosensor.

Criteria for Selecting an Adhesive

When we were searching for the right adhesive for the RESP Biosensor, there were certain criteria that our team prioritized. We required secure contact with the skin to allow for consistent and continuous collection of lung sounds. The adhesive needed to be strong while also minimizing the risk of skin irritation or discomfort. It also had to be easy to apply and remove, ensuring that workflows remained efficient and patient experiences positive.

Why the Tegaderm™ Adhesive Stands Out

Tegaderm, built on decades of innovation by 3M, meets the criteria we’ve required for an effective adhesive. Tegaderm’s strong yet gentle adhesion ensures that our device stays securely in place. Additionally, Tegaderm’s hypoallergenic and breathable design reduces the risk of skin irritation, a common concern in long-term monitoring scenarios.

Another key feature of the Tegaderm adhesive is its transparency. This allows clinicians to visually inspect the skin without removing the adhesive and reapplying it. Tegaderm is also waterproof and resistant to environmental factors like sweat, making it reliable in diverse conditions. These attributes collectively make Tegaderm an ideal adhesive for our device.

Key Features:

  • Gentle Adhesive: Allows for easy application without causing trauma to the skin, even for patients with sensitive skin.
  • Hypoallergenic Composition: Designed to minimize allergic reactions and irritation.
  • Strong Adhesion: Reliable adherence for long durations, even under challenging conditions such as sweating or patient movement.
  • Waterproof and Breathable Material: Allows moisture and oxygen exchange while protecting the skin from contaminants.
  • Transparent Design: Enables visual inspection of the underlying skin for signs of irritation or discomfort.

Real-World Evidence for Tegaderm

Tegaderm has been extensively used in healthcare and clinical research from infants to adults, earning a reputation for reliability and safety. It has consistently been proven to cause fewer infections, last longer than other adhesives (requiring fewer changes), and be easier to apply than other dressings.1,2, 3 Due to its gentleness, Tegaderm has been used in sensitive patient areas and applications, including partial-thickness burns, catheter sites, and even after ophthalmological procedures. In one case, a patient wore Tegaderm over their eye daily for 15 months and experienced no skin irritation.4 Tegaderm has demonstrated a strong reputation for reducing surgical site infections (SSIs), supported by more clinical studies than any other adhesive.5 Tegaderm has been designed to provide strong adhesion for over 24 hours, even under challenging conditions. Its hypoallergenic nature ensures that skin reactions are rare, making it suitable for long-term use.

Conclusion

As clinicians and researchers consider the RESP Biosensor for their patients, it is important to evaluate the adhesive – primarily its adhesion ability and impact on patient burden. The Tegaderm Adhesive by 3M has been consistently proven in various healthcare applications, and with patients prescribed the RESP Biosensor to provide long-lasting adhesion, minimize patient burden, and simplify clinical workflows.

Author

Richard Powers, MSECE, MBA. Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Strados Labs

References

  1. Hanging wet-to-dry dressings out-to-dry. Ovington LG. Advances in Skin and Wound Care 15(2):79-84, March-April 2002.
  2. Kahl, Ann Marie, Evaluation of Composite Dressings on Post-Operative Wounds: Clinical Outcomes, Cost-Effectiveness and Labor Savings, 1999.
  3. Thomas, Journal of Wound Care, Vol. 6, No. 7, July 1997, pp. 333-336.
  4. Airiani S, Braunstein RE, Kazim M, Schrier A, Auran JD, Srinivasan BD. Tegaderm transparent dressing (3M) for the treatment of chronic exposure keratopathy. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Jan;19(1):75-6. doi: 10.1097/00002341-200301000-00010. PMID: 12544796.
  5. Clinical Evidence Summary. 3M. https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/864087O/tegaderm-pad-film-dressing-clinical-summary.pdf. Date Accessed: 05-JAN-2025