ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to examine both traditional and innovative approaches to the development of hydrophilic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive (PSA). The hydrophilic adhesive is reported to provide a high value of moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and allows the fluid to evaporate from the wound bed through the dressing. A high MVTR helps to promote wound healing by maintaining a friendly environment at the moist wound. The history of hydrophilic PSA technology abounds in numerous examples of mixing hydrophobic adhesives with hydrophilic absorbents of moisture. The most hydrophilic PSAs from the family of hydrophobic adhesives are acrylic PSAs and their further hydrophilization can be achieved by the inclusion of polar acrylic monomer units in their backbones. The chapter introduces a new hydrophilic PSA technology developed by Corium International, Inc., termed Corplex. Corplex adhesives provide the high water absorbing capacity associated with bioadhesives and the adhesive properties of traditional hydrophobic PSAs.
