Octopus-Inspired Patches Offer Irritation-Free Skin Adhesion

Sensors like electrocardiogram (EEG) electrodes can be lifesaving, but the adhesive patches used to attach them can sometimes damage the skin. A new experimental medical patch tackles this problem by using octopus-inspired suckers.

Unlike traditional medical patches, which rely on adhesive chemicals similar to band-aids, this innovative patch avoids these issues. Many adhesive patches cause skin irritation, leading to itching, redness, inflammation, and blisters.

Adhesives on medical patches often fail when exposed to moisture and can cause pain during removal. Additionally, these patches may not adhere well if reapplied.

KAUST Scientists Explore Octopus Suckers for a Less Irritating, More Durable Adhesive Solution

To develop a less irritating, less painful, and more durable reusable alternative, scientists from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) turned to the octopus. Specifically, they examined the suckers on the underside of octopus tentacles. These suckers can repeatedly stick to surfaces without chemicals and even work underwater.

To create their “adhesive miniaturized octopus-like suckers” (AMOS) patch, the researchers designed a mold using a 3D printing technique called stereolithography. This method involves selectively shining an ultraviolet laser into a vat of photo-curable resin to build up the mold, resulting in a network of tiny domes connected by squiggly lines.

Biocompatible Polymer PDMS Used to Create Patch with Tiny Suckers and Channels

Next, a biocompatible polymer called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was applied in liquid form to the mold and then peeled off once it had solidified into an elastic material. This process created a patch with tiny suckers formed by the domes and channels extending to the edges.

When the completed AMOS patch was pressed onto human skin, the suckers adhered securely by creating a small vacuum beneath each one. The inherently adhesive microstructure of PDMS helped the patch stay in place while allowing for painless removal.

Additionally, the channels in the patch drew moisture away from underneath by capillary action, helping the skin breathe.

AMOS Patch with EEG Electrodes Stays in Place on Wet or Hairy Skin During Exercise, Without Irritation

In one test of the technology, an AMOS patch was equipped with EEG electrodes then adhered to the skin of a male volunteer as he cycled on an exercise bike. The patch stayed in place even when applied to wet or hairy skin, providing good EEG readings without causing any skin irritation.

The technology was even successfully used to monitor the biosignals of a KAUST computational scientist as he completed a 3,000-km (1,864-mile) hand-cycling trip over a 30-day period.

“Our goal is to develop a comprehensive, versatile, skin-attachable device that can revolutionize wearable health monitoring and diagnostic technologies,” says the lead scientist, Asst. Prof. Nazek El-Atab. “We plan to conduct extensive clinical trials to validate its efficacy in real-world medical applications.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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