Biocompatible Adhesives

The purpose of this work was to develop a biologically compatible adhesive that will successfully maintain the adherence of a dermal dressing to moist perspiring skin on field personnel working in hot humid environments, without producing adverse reactions such as rach and itching. The project involved the design and Synthesis of emulsion acrylic copolymers which were odorless and pressure sensitive. The water-insoluble adhesives contained hydrophilic units to permit strong bonding to wet human skin and still retain some water resistance to permit durability. During the emulsion polymerization, the amount of hydrophilic units incorporated in the copolymer was limited because of the large increase in the viscosity of the emulsion. As a result, the copolymer was prepared in solution in order to achieve better wet tack and water resistance. Peel adhesion and peel adhesion as a function of rate were satisfactory for a skin adhesive. The adhesive does not contain any residual monomer, a potential source of skin irritation.