Tests conducted by an independent laboratory for Avery Dennison Medical Solutions, a division of Avery Dennison Corporation and a global leader in adhesive technologies for medical applications, confirm that the new Avery Dennison Medical Solutions Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) adhesive delivery system (ADS) provides antimicrobial efficacy across a broad range of bacteria and yeast. These data demonstrate that the challenge of incorporating CHG within a solvent acrylic adhesive has been successfully addressed.
The new CHG ADS is transparent and allows an access or incision site to be seen, a critical parameter for vascular access and post-op dressings. The formulation will ultimately lend itself to use as a transparent film dressing that will make it easier to monitor sites such as catheter insertions.
In cytotoxicity tests, the Avery Dennison Medical Solutions CHG ADS formulation outperformed two commercial products containing CHG by exhibiting a grade 0 cytotoxicity profile, compared with a grade 3 profile for the two commercial formulations.
These preliminary tests show that the new CHG ADS may be appropriate for applications where the spread of infection is a concern and moisture management and transparency are required, such as the securement of IV catheters, surgical incision films and post-op dressings.
"Until now, there has been limited success in incorporating CHG into a solvent adhesive formulation," says Anne Wibaux, Pharm. D, Avery Dennison Medical Solutions principal scientist. "Other products impregnate the CHG molecule into a different matrix, but do not formulate it into an adhesive."
Emily Berlin, Avery Dennison Medical Solutions global market segment manager, notes that clinicians who work in the area of vascular access, including nurses and infection-control specialists, will find the test results of particular interest. "Clinicians need to easily see and monitor the catheter insertion site for signs of infection," she says. "Current CHG products on the market include dressings with a CHG-impregnated island and a CHG-impregnated protective film disk that is covered with a dressing. Neither product permits easy visibility and must be removed to check the insertion site, requiring the application of a new dressing. The new CHG ADS is transparent and helps avoid these issues."
The study was led by Avery Dennison Medical Solutions’ Anne Wibaux, Pharm. D, and Vicky Van de Pol.