3M has launched a new medical adhesive – 3M™ Medical Tape 4578 – that can stick to the skin for up to 28 days. Prior to 2022, the standard wear time for extended medical adhesives was up to 14 days. Longer wear time for devices and monitors may help drive down costs, accumulate more data for better decision making, and reduce patient disruption. 

The new adhesive is intended for use with a wide array of health monitors, sensors, and long-term medical wearables. It also adds the feature of liner-free stability, which can be stored for up to one year, giving device makers more flexibility in the design process.