Covestro and Holst Centre, which is known for its expertise in printed electronics and wearables, have developed skin-friendly wearable electronic patches (wearables). Wearables are already being used in many areas of medicine, including patient monitoring, and diagnosis. Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies from Germany.

The design of these patches allows a variety of applications in monitoring vital parameters. They offer patients more freedom of movement. The wearables must be worn on the skin around the clock for a prolonged period of time so they need to be particularly kind to the skin, comfortable, but also adhere to the skin. In addition, they should be removed as painlessly as possible.

Covestro offers material solutions for improved design compared to marketable products. The range is a response to the growing customer demand for materials with increased wearing comfort. Covestro offers the right combination of materials for the perfect lightweight, flexible and hardly visible patch that provides a comfortable feel, the company has said in a press release.

The company has developed special breathable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films from the Platilon range. The materials are perfectly suited and designed for customers using a roll-to-roll manufacturing process that allows wearables to be efficiently produced. The electronics can be printed on the film and embedded in thermoformable polyurethane foam covered with a second film layer for better wearing comfort. The patch is then fixed with a special skin-compatible adhesive, which adheres firmly to the skin but allows painless removal of the patch. The adhesive system and the thermoformable foam are based on Baymedix polyurethane raw materials. Covestro, thus, offers a complete solution for modern and high-quality wearable patches.

A prototype was produced in collaboration with the Holst Centre, which is known for its expertise in printed electronics and wearables. The materials being used are already ready for the market. In addition to the wearable patch, Covestro will present a design study at K 2019 to present different wearable designs depending on their medical use.

Covestro is providing convincing design and material alternatives to currently available wearable raw materials. The company is considering advances in printed electronics to demonstrate that its materials can contribute to a design with a stronger patient focus that takes into account patient comfort and skin sensitivity. (GK)