Medical Adhesives

Abstract This article provides an overview of curing techniques, adhesive chemistries, surface preparation, adhesive selection, and medical applications of adhesives. The curing techniques are classified into moisture, irradiation, heat, and anaerobic. The article highlights the common types of curable adhesives used for medical device assemblies, including acrylics, cyanoacrylates, epoxies, urethanes, and silicones. Other forms of adhesives, such as hot melts, bioadhesives, and pressure-sensitive adhesives, are also discussed. The typical characteristics and applications of biocompatible medical device adhesives are listed in a table. The article concludes with a section on the selection of materials for medical adhesives.