Adhesive composite having distinct phases

Abstract

A conformable adhesive article for use as a sterile medical dressing is described. The article includes a breathable polymeric matrix, a plurality of phases, and an adhesive composition positioned on the polymeric matrix. The plurality of phases preferably provide reinforcement and stiffness to the article. The article permits transport of moisture across the breathable polymeric matrix, preferably at an Inverted water moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 300 g/m 2 /24 hours.

1 . A conformable adhesive article for use as a sterile medical dressing, the article comprising: 
 a substantially continuous breathable polymeric matrix comprising an elastic material, and having a first surface and a second surface;    a plurality of phases retained proximate the polymeric matrix, the plurality of phases substantially discontinuous in a first direction and substantially continuous in a second direction; and    an adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the first surface of the polymeric matrix;    wherein the plurality of phases are retained on the second surface of the polymer matrix.    
   
   
       2 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the breathable polymeric matrix comprises at least a first layer and a second layer.  
   
   
       3 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer and second layer comprise different compositions.  
   
   
       4 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of phases comprise a substantially non-elastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of phases are heat laminated between a polymeric matrix having at least two layers.  
   
   
       6 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric matrix is extruded in two stages.  
   
   
       7 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric matrix material is solvent cast onto a release sheet.  
   
   
       8 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a roll good.  
   
   
       9 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 8 , wherein the roll good is perforated to form individual lengths of sterile medical dressings.  
   
   
       10 . A conformable adhesive article for use as a sterile medical dressing, the article comprising: 
 a breathable polymeric matrix having a first surface and a second surface;    a plurality of phases proximate the polymeric matrix; and    an adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the first surface of the polymeric matrix;    wherein the adhesive article has a conformability of greater than 2 and less than 10 in a direction parallel to the plurality of phases.    
   
   
       11 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 10 , wherein the article has an inverted moisture vapor transmission rate of at least about 1500 g/m 2 /24 hrs.  
   
   
       12 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of phases retained proximate the polymeric matrix are retained within the polymeric matrix.  
   
   
       13 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of phases substantially surrounded by the polymeric matrix are incompatible with the polymeric matrix.  
   
   
       14 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of phases are retained on the second surface of the polymer matrix.  
   
   
       15 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of phases are retained intermediate the adhesive composition and the first surface of the polymeric matrix.  
   
   
       16 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 10  wherein the breathable polymeric matrix comprises an elastomeric material and the plurality of phases comprise a substantially non-elastic material.  
   
   
       17 . A conformable adhesive roll good for use as a sterile medical dressing, the roll good comprising: 
 a breathable polymeric matrix having a first surface and a second surface;    a plurality of substantially continuous phases retained proximate the polymeric matrix;    an adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the first surface of the polymeric matrix.    
   
   
       18 . The conformable adhesive roll good according to  claim 17 , wherein the roll good comprises perforations to form individual lengths.  
   
   
       19 . The conformable adhesive roll good according to  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of substantially continuous phases are discontinuous at the perforations.  
   
   
       20 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 17 , wherein the article has an inverted moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 1,500 g/m 2 /24 hours.  
   
   
       21 . A conformable adhesive article for use as a sterile medical dressing, the article comprising: 
 a substantially continuous breathable polymeric matrix comprising an elastic material, and having a first surface and a second surface;    a plurality of phases retained proximate the polymeric matrix, the plurality of phases substantially discontinuous in a first direction and substantially continuous in a second direction; and    an adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the first surface of the polymeric matrix; and    wherein the plurality of phases are retained on the first surface of the polymeric matrix.    
   
   
       22 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of phases are retained intermediate the adhesive composition and the first surface of the polymeric matrix.  
   
   
       23 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the breathable polymeric matrix comprises at least a first layer and a second layer.  
   
   
       24 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 23 , wherein the first layer and second layer comprise different compositions.  
   
   
       25 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the breathable polymeric matrix comprises an elastomeric material, and the plurality of phases comprise a substantially non-elastic material.  
   
   
       26 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the breathable polymeric matrix and the plurality of phases comprise elastomeric materials.  
   
   
       27 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of phases are heat laminated between a polymeric matrix having at least two layers.  
   
   
       28 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the polymeric matrix is extruded in two stages.  
   
   
       29 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the polymeric matrix material is solvent cast onto a release sheet.  
   
   
       30 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 21 , wherein the article comprises a roll good.  
   
   
       31 . The conformable adhesive article according to  claim 30 , wherein the roll good is perforated to form individual lengths of sterile medical dressings.