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Author Archives: MBK Tape Solutions

  1. Precision Die-Cutting

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    What is Precision Die Cutting?

    Die-Cutting is the process of cutting flexible materials into varying shapes, sizes, and complexity, from simple to complex multi-layer components. Precision die cutting involves using a press to produce a high volume of identical parts or products cut in a fast, cost-effective manner while maintaining accuracy and tight machining tolerances.

    Precision die-cutting is used to meet the complex demands in industries, such as medical devices, electronics, automotive, and aerospace.  Examples include medical device attachment, automotive parts bonding, appliance insulation, electronics display protection, and assembly, aerospace, EMI/RFI shielding, HVAC sealing, gasketing, and more.  The ability to quickly create sophisticated products while maintaining high levels of quality control makes precision die-cutting ideal for industries with strict regulatory requirements.

    Die-Cutting Methods

    The die-cutting process is typically done with specialized machinery and pre-shaped metal cutting tools called dies. Depending on your requirements, the process can employ a rotary, steel rule, matched metal, or solid-milled die. Materials used range from adhesives, film, fabric, foam, silicone, sponge, rubber, plastic, and thin metals.

    Depending on the material, tolerance, and volume needed will help determine the die-cutting method chosen for your project.

    • Rotary die-cutting – Rotary die-cutting uses a cylindrical die to cut shapes out of material. It moves in a circular motion and has blades to cut out the desired shape. Rotary die cutting can be used on a wide range of materials at very tight tolerances.  The benefit of rotary die cutting is that it is faster than steel rule or laser cutting at turning out high-volume parts with a high degree of accuracy.
    • Flatbed or Steel Rule die-cutting – Flatbed die-cutting utilizes custom-designed steel rule dies affixed to a flatbed press to stamp out material. Flatbed die presses are available in mechanical, hydraulic, and electric models and have configurations that vary from application Advantages of flatbed die cutting are seen with lower quantities, larger die-cut formats, and thicker materials such as foams and rubbers.
    • Punch Press – In a punch press, the material runs through the press while a hydraulic ram at the top powers the die to cut the material.  This type of die-cutting is advantageous for speed and productivity.
    • Match-Metal Die-Cutting – In match metal die cutting, materials pass through a cutting die constructed of a top and bottom die which are matched (male/female) to provide an extremely precise cut.  Match Metal die-cutting is typically used for higher-volume applications that require extreme precision.
    • Compound Die-Cutting – Compound die-cutting performs multiple steps in one pass.  The compound die-cut implements more than one operation, such as in-line laminating, slitting, or printing, during the cutting cycle. Using this single-pass method; allows for creating complex parts quickly with minimal waste.
    • Laser Cutting – A laser cutting tool moves automatically to cut the material into a given shape. Being die-less with no additional tooling cost, laser cutting is often used for quick prototyping of complex components with high tolerance requirements.
    • Water Jet Cutting – A high-power precision water jet is used for low to medium mass production of highly compressible raw materials. Water Jet cutting is CAD-controlled (die-less), making it ideal for affordable, quick prototyping.

    Rotary Die-Cutting Techniques Add Value

    Rotary die cutting is the most common type of die cutting.  It is a broad category that includes island placement, kiss cutting, perforations, and other techniques that enhance the products’ performance and ease of handling. The rotary press offers several tooling stations, from 1 to 32 stations, and can perform many functions in one pass, making it efficient and cost-effective.

    • Multi-layer Laminations with PSA –Multiple webs come together in a single pass to create a complex multi-layer part.
    • Zoned Adhesive / Island Placement -Custom patterns of adhesive are laminated to the material during the die-cutting process, leaving adhesive only in the specified area(s).
    • Kiss Cutting – Kiss cutting is a process in which a laminated material is die-cut through one or more layers without cutting through the bottom layer, leaving the die-cut part affixed to the liner. Parts can be rolled around a core on the liner making them easier to handle. Kiss cutting is specifically used to protect the die-cut shape until it is ready for application.
    • Perforation Die Cutting -This process does not fully trim the materials away from the original shape but instead creates multiple perforations, or small holes, that remain in place until it is ready to be detached.  This method is fast, and accurate and increases the production efficiency.
    • Pull-Tabs and Extended Liners -Materials with top and bottom liners are cut so that a portion of the liner is cut to extend the material, leaving a pull-tab.  This pull tab contributes to ease of handling and placement.

    Why Boyd?

    Boyd is an ideal manufacturing partner for making innovative concepts a reality.  From simple shapes to complex multi-layer die-cut parts and products, Boyd has the expertise, experience, supplier partners, equipment, and technologies to offer innovative solutions for the most demanding industries, including medical, e-mobility, enterprise, and aerospace.  With design and manufacturing facilities on three continents, the Boyd team excels in rapid prototyping and regional converting services deployed for global mass production.

    With 90+ years of die-cutting expertise, Boyd adds application knowledge and technical expertise to your project.  Depending on the application, type of material, tolerances, and volume needed, our material experts, engineers, and technical team can suggest the most innovative, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing process to produce your component.  Having a wide range of converting equipment, Boyd offers a variety of die-cutting methodologies, from a single station rotary press to a 32 station single pass, compound die-cutting press. We offer tight tolerances up to +/- 0.127 mm, ensuring greater consistency and proper performance from each part.

    Our manufacturing capabilities and industry knowledge allow our engineers to design multifunctional solutions that enhance your products’ performance, efficiency, and delivery.

    To learn how our custom die-cutting capabilities can support your specific application, contact Boyd today at www.boydcorp.com.

     

     

  2. Materials Matter When Manufacturing Components in Stick-to-Skin Wearable Medical Devices

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    MBK Tape Solutions, a Boyd company, help product engineers design and manufacture the various component layers in stick-to-skin medical devices and wearable biosensors. Skin-friendly devices are used for a variety of applications, such as diagnostics, bio-fluidics, monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels, and treating health issues using electrical stimulation or transdermal drug delivery. Depending on the application, the medical device construction contains several layers of adhesives and materials, each serving a different function.

    Multi-Layer Construction in a Skin Friendly Wearable Device

    In the past two decades, there have been many scientific advances in stick-to-skin adhesives, making them gentler on the skin, easier to remove, and extending wear time. With the rise of wearable technology, devices have become smaller, lighter, and more complex. For example, transdermal patches deliver compounded drugs or ingredients in the adhesive that can be separated with a membrane or laminate material. Medical wearable devices typically consist of multiple layers of materials such as a monitoring device that requires electrical components and batteries to enable Bluetooth technology. There is no one adhesive solution that fits all wearable devices.

    Multi-Layers in a Stick-to-Skin Device

    Each layer in a wearable device has different application requirements. A skin-friendly medical device typically consists of the following layers and materials:

    • Cover/Overlay Layer: a protective film that is breathable, waterproof, and/or printable.
    • Device:
      • A custom-molded plastic enclosure that can house electrical components, PC board, batteries, conductive inks, biosensors, and other components.
      • A cushioning foam to protect, seal, or insulate the components.
      • Conductive or thermal interface materials such as metal foils or coils keep components from overheating.
    • Tie Layer: a transfer adhesive or differential double-coated adhesive that bonds the device components together.
    • Skin Contact Layer: biocompatible medical-grade adhesives and backings require the right balance of adhesion, breathability, conformability, removability, and comfort on the skin.
    • Delivery Liner: a customized silicone or fluoropolymer release liner to help make the product easy to use by the practitioner and end-user with features like pull tabs, oversized perimeter skirts, or split/folded liner to aid in removal.

    Adhesives & Materials in a Skin Worn Wearables

    Medical grade pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes consist of an adhesive coated on one or both sides of a material, also known as a substrate. Depending on the chemistry and the tape construction, adhesive-backed materials are used for bonding, sealing, insulating, protecting, electrically conducting, and thermal management. Knowing which adhesive and substrate work best for the applications can be challenging.

    Adhesive Tape Applications in Wearable Device Layers

    • Bonding Adhesives: Bonding adhesives are used during construction to hold component parts together (called the tie-layer) and biocompatible adhesives are used to hold the device to the skin.
    • Moisture Management Adhesives: Whether moisture comes in the form of sweat, oils other bodily fluids or environmental factors like water contact, adhesives can either absorb the fluid to prevent skin irritation or allow moisture to evaporate (moisture-vapor transmission). An experienced converter partner not only knows which material to use for moisture management but can also help design a component to move fluids or deliver active ingredients through the skin.
    • Sealing & Insulating Materials: Devices sensors, batteries, or other electrically conductive components are typically housed in airtight molded plastic enclosures but may need sealing to keep out moisture and contaminants and insulating to prevent vibration damage to the components.
    • Thermal Management Tapes & Materials: Keeps the components from overheating utilizing advanced cooling technologies.
    • Protective Films: Protect the device from external and environmental factors such as sweat, UV light, water and moisture, and even dynamic movement.

    Medical Grade Adhesives & Materials in Skin Friendly Wearables

    In skin-worn wearables, biocompatible medical-grade adhesives include acrylic, rubber, silicone or the newest technologies, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, and silicone gels. Rubber adhesives are sturdy and tolerate moisture. Acrylate adhesives are hypoallergenic and low-sensitizing and silicone adhesives can be super gentle. Typical backing materials include films, non-woven fabrics, foams, and conductive metal foils.

    The main challenge for the design engineer is sticking materials to the skin, a dynamic organ that is constantly in flux. Skin-friendly adhesives must comply with biocompatible ISO 10993 testing, in terms of cytotoxicity, sensitization, and irritation, ensuring they are compatible with short- or long-term exposure to skin.

    Adhesives for stick-to-skin applications typically must provide a balance of adhesion and ease of removal; breathability and moisture resistance; resistance to friction and conformability. It is also important to consider the device’s weight, surface texture, and placement on the body.

    Knowing more about the intended application and the user will help determine the adhesives and materials to use. Whether wearing the device for short-term (30 minutes to 5 days) or long-term (up to 21 days) may be a determining factor in selecting materials. It is also important to choose a material based on the end-users age (neonatal, midlife, geriatric) and activity level. Because of the direct impact on the user’s comfort, health safety, and product performance, the designer must choose the medical adhesives and materials wisely. 

    Material Compatibility  

    Getting all these materials to work in harmony throughout the medical device is critical, especially when it comes to the moisture management and product performance. If an adhesive used in the skin contact layer is breathable but the construction layer does not allow moisture-vapor transmission, the product may not perform as intended. Additionally, certain polymers from one layer can interact with adhesives in another layer after assembly, potentially causing failure.

    Thus, it is imperative to use the correct combination of medical-grade adhesive and substrates throughout the entire design of the medical device. An experienced converting partner can recommend the best material combination to ensure consistent product performance.

    Material Sourcing 

    MBK has close working relationships with medical tape manufacturers and suppliers around the world including, but not limited to, 3M, Avery Dennison, Adhesives Research, Berry, DermaMed, Mactac, and Polymer Science. Leveraging these relationships, we can streamline material sampling, prototyping, and testing. As a 3M Preferred Converter, the MBK sales team stays abreast of the newest products and technological advances.  Working with coating partners, we can customize the adhesive and liner combination to meet our customer’s exact requirements.  MBK’s in-depth knowledge of material properties and compatibility assures optimum material performance for even the most complex multi-layer products.  Check out the MBK online Catalog of Medical Adhesives and Materials to learn more.

    Material Scalability  

    Not only is it important to select materials based on functionality and compatibility, but also on availability. After experiencing supply chain shortages throughout the world this past year, it is crucial having access to materials in a timely manner and secure a converting partner capable of converting materials to scale.

    Partner with Boyd throughout the Wearable Device Project Lifecycle

    MBK Tape Solution, a Boyd company, is a converter, fabricator, and component manufacturer that can help throughout the entire wearable device project lifecycle. We have the expertise, experience, state-of-the-art equipment, and resources to design and manufacture wearable devices, from start-up to large-scale manufacturing. With Boyd’s R&D and manufacturing facilities on three continents, we are regionally flexible, allowing us to manage redundant processes and deliver products in a cost-effective, timely manner.

    At the MBK converting facility in Southern California, our application engineers will help select and source the right materials and design for manufacturing, ensuring that each component is designed for optimum performance and cost. Our converting capabilities include prototyping, precision die-cutting, multi-layer laminating, slitting, and printing in a controlled cleanroom environment, under ISO 13485 certified quality management systems. We provide custom die-cut parts, island placement, registration, and release liners using extended liners, finger lift tabs, and perforated, split, or butterfly folds.

    Since joining the Boyd company, MBK’s capabilities have expanded tenfold. Boyd has a long history of developing, designing, testing, and fabricating thermal management solutions. Utilizing global material supply partners and innovative engineering, Boyd customizes molded decorative plastic components, molded silicone components, rubber seals, and gaskets. Boyd also offers printed flexible traces, graphic overlays, and membrane switches. The MBK project manager will coordinate with the Boyd team to assist with component manufacturing and assembly, kitting, sterilization, and the delivery of your FDA-compliant finished wearable product. To learn more about Boyd’s medical offerings, check out the Boyd website.

    MBK Tape Solutions has over 50 years of experience and expertise in helping customers find the ideal adhesive solution for their medical devices and Boyd has the resources and capabilities to assist in the full product life cycle. Call MBK today at 818-998-1477 to help in the early-stage design and produce all the components in your skin-friendly wearable device.

    Animated video explaining the different layers in a wearable medical device

    Click to watch this short animated video on the various components and layers in a wearable device.

  3. MBK Tape Solutions Launches a Redesigned Website

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    MBK Tape Solutions, a fabricator of adhesive tapes and flexible materials, announced the launch of their newly redesigned website, www.mbktape.com. The revamped website features a new contemporary look and an easier-to-navigate layout. The new website incorporates a scrolling navigation menu along the top, a left-side menu, call to action buttons and contact us forms on every page, making it easier and faster to find answers.

    Browse the online interactive catalog and request quotes that will provide you with the information you need within 48 hours of your request. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking for a specific product, there are multiple ways to find solutions to a specific application challenge.

     

    • In the search box on the top of the page, you can either search the website or catalog by typing in a word or item number.
    • Use the Advanced Filter Search tool to find specific products by manufacturer, application, adhesive, substrate, etc.
    • Search the catalog for industrial or medical tapes and flexible materials.
    • Search the catalog for products by specific industries, such as healthcare, electronics, transportation, and many others.
    • Search the catalog for products by applications, bonding, insulating, sealing, masking, to name a few.
    • Search the catalog for products by attributes, such as skin or food contact, temperature resistance.

    The MBK website aims to educate customers on the many types of converting processes and procedures and to provide product and contact information that will help solve sticky application challenges.  In the resource section, a glossary, comprehensive literature, and multi-media content are offered to increase knowledge about adhesive tapes, flexible materials, and the benefits of converting processes.

    The mobile layout responsiveness of the site enhances the user experience on multiple platforms, and an updated cookie and privacy policy increases security and website functionality.

    MBK Tape Solutions, a Boyd Corporation, will continue to update and populate the website with its most current product and service information.  Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign up for company newsletters to see more information: www.mbktape.com.

     

    MBK Redesigned Website

  4. Medical Adhesive Tapes for Every Stage of Life

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    Wearable medical adhesive tapes and related flexible materials can be utilized at every stage of life, from neonatal to geriatric care. Tapes may be applied directly to the skin to protect sensitive body parts such as eyes and feet, heal wounds, or enhance body image with adhesive beauty aids. Skin-friendly tapes can also be used to dispense nutraceutical compounds to the body through a transdermal patch, conduct electricity, maintain thermal management, or adhere a wearable sensor to the skin such as a CGM monitor. Aggressive adhesives are used to hold together or join parts of a medical device, known as a tie layer, or used to protect the device from external conditions.

    Top-Quality Adhesive Tapes & Materials

    Knowing that medical adhesives and materials impact the quality of life, MBK Tape Solutions sources top-quality raw materials from 3M and other qualified suppliers to convert them into usable and wearable products. Whether the materials come into direct or indirect contact with the body, these substrates need proper biocompatibility testing and usage studies.

    Adhesives need to be comfortable on the skin, strong enough to stick for the desired length of time required, and removed easily and gently when ready. Other factors to consider when selecting adhesives include wear duration. moisture management, breathability, and sterilization. The combination of adhesive and backing material needs to work together for the best performance and reliability.

    Learn more about Medical Adhesive Tapes at https://www.mbktape.com/medical-health-care-tapes.html

    Medical Tape Converting Services

    Specializing in healthcare, personal care, and food and pharma adhesive tape applications, MBK Tape Solutions has helped design and manufacture innovative wearable medical adhesive tape products for clinicians and consumers for the past fifty years. We provide the full spectrum of manufacturing solutions in an ISO 8 cleanroom environment, coating the adhesive to the medical backing material, then converting the material into parts and packaging the finished products. Capabilities include prototyping, die-cutting, multi-layer laminating, printing, slitting, island placement, and registration. For easy assembly, MBK can score, perforate or design extended or pull-tab liners.

    Contact MBK for Tape Solutions

    Collaborating with designers and engineers to manufacture stick-to-skin wearable products has been a rewarding endeavor. Knowing that MBK has the expertise, experience, resources, and state of art equipment, you can rest assured that you will receive the best service and quality products available on the market.

    Watch the video below to learn more about stick-to-skin wearable products and our services. Call our engineers at 818-998-11477 or email at info@mbktape.com to discuss your project today.

    Video of Medical Tape Products used Throughout Life Stages

  5. MBK Tape Solutions is Acquired by Boyd Corporation

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    MBK Tape Solutions is thrilled to announce that we were acquired by Boyd Corporation, a global leader in engineered materials and thermal management technologies, on December 15, 2021. With similar core values and goals, we felt this acquisition is a perfect match. Our tape converting expertise combined with Boyd’s global footprint and extensive assets will exponentially increase the value we can bring to our customers and suppliers.

    You can read the full press release here.

    What does this mean for you? You now have access to Boyd’s larger footprint, expanded innovation, and broad capabilities, including its global team of process engineers that can support your technical requirements out of any region in the world. We now offer Boyd’s full portfolio of solutions that seal, cool, and protect your demanding applications. You also have access to enhanced global responsiveness and supply chain with Boyd services and support across North America, South America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

    We are starting to look for proactive ways to help integrate the many solutions that Boyd can bring to us.

    We will be conducting business as MBK Tape Solutions at this time, and you will continue to enjoy the customer-first service and unrelenting commitment to quality, reliability, and sustainability that you’ve come to expect from us.  To learn more about MBK Tape Solutions, click here. 

    If you would like to discuss new capabilities, expanded capacity, support in new geographies, or address any questions, please call MBK and speak to our sales engineers at 818-998-1477 or email info@mbktape.com.

    About Boyd Corporation

    Boyd Corporation is a world-leading innovator of technologies in material science, engineered materials, and thermal management that seal, protect, interface with, and cool our customers’ most critical applications. We embrace science to solve ambitious performance targets. Boyd architects material innovation, combining technologies in novel ways to redefine the possible. We gain unparalleled technology insight solving complex challenges across the leading industries we serve. Our solutions maximize performance in 5G infrastructure and the world’s most advanced data centers; enhance reliability and extend the range for electric and autonomous vehicles; advance the accuracy of cutting-edge personal healthcare and diagnostic systems, enable performance-critical aircraft and defense technologies; and accelerate innovation in next-generation electronics and human-machine-interface. Core to Boyd’s global, large-scale manufacturing is a deep commitment to protecting the environment with sustainable, lean operations that reduce waste and minimize carbon footprint.

    More information about Boyd Corporation is available at boydcorp.com.

  6. MBK Trade Shows & Events

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    Mark your calendars for the upcoming events and visit with the MBK Tape Solutions team. Trade shows are listed with the date, location and booth number for the calendar year. To visit the event web site, simply click the underlined tradeshow, where you will find detailed information and easy online registration for complimentary hall admission.

    Register Today!

  7. Designing Medical Adhesives for Healthcare & Retail Applications

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    Whether for healthcare, personal care, beauty/fashion aids, or athletic protection, medical-grade adhesives and tapes serve many functions throughout our lifetime. From neonatal to geriatric care, we depend on adhesive tapes to protect, heal, and enhance the skin. With new advances in science and technology, medical tapes and flexible materials are being used to adhere devices to our bodies for internal and external monitoring, bioanalytical diagnostics, dispensing chemistry, electrical conductivity, and thermal management.

    As a preferred tape converter, MBK Tape Solutions specializes in converting medical adhesive tapes and raw flexible materials into skin-friendly wearable products for healthcare, personal care, and food and pharma markets. We source top quality materials from 3M, Avery Dennison Medical, Polymer Science, and other qualified suppliers based in the USA to tailor-fit the materials to the application, based on customer requirements. The design process can be challenging and finding the right adhesive for your application can be sticky. Our decades of experience and knowledge enable us to help construct and manufacture the perfect product that best meets your specific application requirements while considering performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

    Factors to Consider When Designing a Stick-to-Skin Wearable Product

    Whether the medical adhesives and tapes come in direct or indirect contact with the body, they need to have the proper biocompatibility testing and usage studies. Knowing that the skin is constantly in flux and that everyone’s skin chemistry can vary, drastically, illuminates the complexity of choosing the right materials when designing stick-to-skin components and products. Finding an adhesive that securely attaches for the prescribed time without inflammation or allergic reaction and then removes without irritation or damage to the skin is only the first challenge.

    Adhesives are tested against a common combination of materials and processes, to assure that the tape not only sticks to the skin but also to the device assembly. The migration of backing materials and components may alter adhesion performance, so a tie layer may be used in the device structure. Exposure to gamma and E-beam radiation, commonly used in the sterilization of medical devices, can also change the performance of adhesives. It is best to know upfront the adhesive and liner release values following sterilization rather than later in the development cycle.

    Body Location

    Adhesive location on the body is another factor to consider when designing a product for medical or personal care applications. Knowing the skin thickness and sensitivity in different areas of the body helps to identify the right adhesive and backing combination for an application. For example, a face mask requires a conformable gentle acrylate or silicone adhesive with thin polyolefin backing, compared to an impact sensor on a leg or arm requires a stronger adhesive with a polyester or polyurethane nonwoven or polyurethane film to accommodate movement and sweat.

    Skin Type, Age & Health

    Other factors to consider during the design stage are the age, skin type, and health of the person wearing the device. A baby has thin sensitive skin, while an elderly person tends to have very fragile and easily damaged skin. Keeping these factors in mind when designing new devices can help ease a caregiver or end-users apprehension.

    Breathability & Wear Duration

    Breathability and wear duration are other key factors to consider when designing a stick-to-skin product. Using breathable tape minimizes inflammation. Breathability is affected by the adhesive’s chemistry and thickness, the type of backing material, as well as the size and construction of your device. Depending on the prescribed wear duration, from minutes up to two weeks, newer adhesive formulations offer higher securement for longer wear time.

    External Conditions

    Whether during the time of attachment, wear duration, or removal of the adhesive, outside stresses have an impact on the level of adhesion. Conditions that influence adhesion also include exposure to moisture such as sweat or water, contaminated surfaces such as oils and lotions, and the friction caused by the rubbing of body parts or clothing. The adhesive-based product should also be conformable enough to allow appropriate stretch and movement.

    MBK Brings Your Ideas to Life

    Tape converters are well versed in the different adhesive properties and how they work in combination with other materials in various environments to provide gentle, secure adhesion to the skin for the wear duration and remove cleanly without trauma. Working with a knowledgeable team who can help find the right adhesive tape for your wearable device and construct a product that will help save time, reduce costs, mitigate risks and frustrations. At MBK, we can help convert your innovative stick-to-skin ideas to reality.

    Discuss your project with the sales engineers at MBK Tape Solutions today by calling 818-998-1477 or emailing info@mbktape.com. To learn more about MBK, view our online medical catalog and our converting capabilities.

    Click the infographic below to learn about the many stick-to-skin tape applications

  9. MD&M West – Medical Design & Manufacturing Tradeshow New Window – August 10-12, 2021

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    (POSTPONED) / Rescheduled from February 9-11, 2021

    Join us at MD&M West on August 10-12, 2021 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Visit MBK Tape Solutions (Booth #3271). Use SPECIALMBK to signup at mdmwest.com/SPECIAL for free.

    Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West 2021 is where serious professionals find the technologies, education, and connections to stay ahead in the global medical manufacturing community. MD&M West hosts the largest three-day medtech conference in North America.

    MD&M West 2021 is a must-attend event for any medtech professional, and there’s no other medtech larger event in North America. Don’t miss this showcase for practical applications of manufacturing technologies from the world’s most innovative companies!

    MBK Tape Solutions helps design and manufacture adhesive tape and foam component parts and end-user products for the medical industry, specializing in medical devices, wearable sensors, diagnostics, ostomy, and FDA food and skin contact applications.

  10. BIOMEDigital – MD&M Virtual Event – November 4-5, 2020

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    BIOMEDevice is Going Virtual

    Join MBK Tape Solutions

    on November 4-5-2020

    ONLINE
    Register at

    BIOMEDigital Virtual Event

    BIOMEDigital is an all-new two-day free virtual event for the biomed industry taking place November 4-5, 2020. This event helps keep biomed innovators, decision-makers and engineers connected by offering five tracks of expert-led content sessions, including industry trends, case studies, panel discussions, and interactive virtual sourcing and networking opportunities all from the comfort of your home or office.

    MBK is hosting a virtual booth at this event. Learn about our converting capabilities for tapes and flexible materials, and chat with our tape specialists. We look forward to working with you.

  13. Manufacturing Transdermal Patches for the Nutraceutical and CBD Market

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    Since the 1970s, transdermal patches have been used to aid motion sickness, hypertension, hormone replacement, nicotine, and most recently, cannabis consumption.  Transdermal patches, also known as Transdermal Delivery Systems TDS, deliver a specific steady dose of medicine into the skin, which absorbs directly into the bloodstream. Pharmaceutical drugs such as nicotine, fentanyl, and hormones used to corner the market. With the deregulation of CBD, the nutraceutical market is seeing a boom. Now, transdermal patches are being used to deliver CBD, CBN, B12, Vitamin E, and caffeine, among other treatments to manage pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Transdermal patches offer a safe, easy, effective, and discreet way to deliver nutraceutical ingredients.

    The Manufacturing Process

    The manufacturing process of transdermal patches involves mixing biocompatible, FDA-approved medical adhesive with the desired deliverable formula in powder form, coating the formulation onto a backing material, and then die-cutting the material into a usable product based upon the customer’s design. A knowledgeable full-service contract converter has the connections and capabilities to formulate, coat, convert and package, which in turn, reduces time, energy, and cost to get the product to market.

    Types of Patches

    Depending on the structure of the patch, the carrier and adhesive components should be carefully selected and evaluated for their intended performance requirements by the seller. In a multi-layer composite system, there is a multitude of options when selecting a carrier, backing, or overlay. The drug or ingredient can be compounded in the adhesive or separated with a membrane or laminate material.

    Transdermal Delivery Systems come in different configurations, matrix, pre-dose, and reservoir patches.

    Matrix patches are typically composed of five distinct layers; peel-off liner, matrix layer, separating layer, adhesive layer, and backing layer. The patch starts working instantly because the ingredient is infused directly into the matrix layer that touches the skin. These patches offer a tapered release of the active ingredient, starting with higher concentrations and releasing less and less active ingredients as the drug concentration gradient comes to equilibrium.

    Pre-dosed patches have fewer layers because the ingredient is compounded into the adhesive and not infused into the patch itself. The drug level is controlled and evenly distributed on the patch to release a steadier drug delivery rate compared to the tapered release experienced with matrix patches. Also, the pre-dosed CBD patches are absorbed by the skin and avoid the “first-pass effect” by not utilizing the GI tract.

    Reservoir patches have a peel-off liner and an adhesive, but they hold the active ingredient in a reservoir covered by a permeable release membrane. This membrane helps control the rate at which the active ingredient penetrates the skin. This ensures that the active ingredient is released at a steady, controlled pace.

    The type of design used can impact product performance. So, engineers need to think critically and work closely with an experienced converter rep to discuss product goals before choosing a specific type of patch and end design. They also need to consider the types of stick-to-skin adhesives and materials that will be used, keeping in mind, skin comfort, removability, wear-times, moisture management, and breathability.

    Material Components

    The selection of the right components is critical when finding the best fit for the transdermal system. Different types of foams and non-woven materials were typically used in the past. As technology and materials continue to advance, often films, membranes, and different types of liners are becoming more commonly used to provide additional integrity, stability, and protection to the drug formulation

    For example, 3M offers a multitude of release liners and backings, in which material use is determined by customer needs and what the end-user is trying to accomplish. New materials include clear, breathable, comfortable, conformable, and printable polyethylene films for the backing material and lidding and pouching films to hold the ingredients. Tape converters who source 3M materials gain regulatory and technical expertise when crafting transdermal patches.

    3M Materials found in the MBK online catalog include:

    Partner with a Medical Converter

    As the nutraceutical market grows, it is important to choose an experienced converter who has a reputation for innovation and trustworthiness. Because the transdermal industry is an unregulated market, there are several different types of permeation enhancers or materials that may cause skin irritation. To avoid pitfalls during development, partner with an experienced medical converter who complies with medical standards uses high-quality materials, tailors the product to the customer, and offers a scalable manufacturing and packaging process.

    The team at MBK Tape Solutions has the knowledge, experience, and converting capabilities to help get your product to market quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

    Contact MBK today to discuss your transdermal patch project and to request samples and prototypes. To learn more, view our online medical catalog and our converting capabilities.

Our Supply Partners

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  • 3m
  • Tesa
  • Polymerscience
  • Avery
  • Novagard
  • Mactac

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