An oligomeric switch that rapidly decreases the peel strength of a pressure-sensitive adhesive

The development of medical pressure-sensitive adhesives that possess high peel force when in contact with the skin and low peel force when removed from the skin is a noteworthy area of research. The means by which the peel force has been modulated in the past has included physical approaches (peel angle, deformation of skin, substrate material, etc.) and chemical processes that implement a “switch” that can be activated during removal to significantly reduce the peel force of the adhesive. Herein, we report the application of oligo(glycerol sebacate) (OGS) as an adhesive “switch” that is activated via the use of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to promote a rapid decrease in peel force during removal of a medical pressure-sensitive adhesive. Furthermore the decrease in peel force is approximately 90%, and occurs on a clinically manageable time-scale (20 s). The technology found within this paper is amenable to current manufacturing processes and is ready to be implemented in medical pressure-sensitive adhesives so that healthcare providers, patients, and consumers might have a means of diminishing pain and trauma during the removal of bandages and/or medical dressings.