3M Microfoam Surgical Tape

3M Microfoam Tape Features

• Multi-direction stretch accommodates swelling and promotes comfort
• Provides compression where required to decrease bleeding and accommodate edema
• Provides gentle, secure adhesion to irregularly contoured sites
• Highly conformable elastic medical tape
• Stretchy feature makes it ideal for compression applications and dressing challenging areas
• Comfortable in bandaged areas
• Helps prevent trauma to the body
• Chest tube tape features a hygienic wipe-clean surface
• 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape is valuable for cushioning and protecting 
• Acts as a barrier to water and contamination
• Foam medical tape prevents mechanical injury to the skin
• Comfortable choice for patients
• Does not contain either rubber latex or dry natural rubber
• Non-sterile
• Product Content: Closed-cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam and hypoallergenic, pressure-sensitive, acrylate adhesive

Foam Tape Medical Uses

• Securing dressings on sites where movement is likely such as over joints and other challenging areas
• Securing compression dressings to assist in hemostasis or control edema
• Cardiovascular/angio sites, breast biopsies, and surgical sites
• Orthopedic, thoracic, and abdominal surgical dressings
• Support strapping
• Post-operative compression and pressure dressings
• 3M Tape can be used to secure bulky dressings
• Covering sharp edges of casts
• Minimizing pressure points

What to buy with Microfoam Tape

• 3M Cavilon No-Rinse Skin Cleanser
• McKesson Argent Iris Scissors
• Smith & Nephew Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover

How to use 3M Microfoam Tape?

How to apply Foam Medical Tape?

• Apply 3M chest tube tape evenly to clean, dry surface
• Apply the tape evenly by positioning and pressing down from the center towards the edges
• Optimize adhesion by firmly rubbing or pressing the tape backing. This will ensure the tape stays in place.
• Never apply Microfoam tape under tension. This may induce skin trauma in the form of blistering or skin tearing.

 

How to remove 3M Microfoam Tape?

• Loosen 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape ends
• Remove tape in direction of hair growth. Keep tape close to skin surface and slowly pull tape back.
• Support skin throughout removal

 

How to sterilize Microfoam Surgical Tape?

The following method was tested and proven reliable for sterilization and stable adhesion performance, with ethylene oxide residuals well within U.S. FDA guidelines:

1. Strips of medical foam tape arranged over a suitable release surface, e.g. glass, stainless steel, silicone-treated paper
2. Tape sealed in appropriate sterilization pouch or wrapper
3. EtO sterilized warm cycle 55 degrees C (130-145 degrees F), minimum 1 hour exposure time (50% RH - 600 mg/liter, or equivalent)
4. Warm cycle aeration (temperature not to exceed 55 degrees C) for a minimum 20-hour cycle before use

Storage And Shelf Life of Microfoam Tape

• It is recommended that 3M surgical tapes be stored under normal conditions within the temperature range of 59 – 86 degrees F (15 – 30 degrees C)
• 3M Microfoam tape has a recommended shelf life of three years under these conditions

Considerations while choosing Medical Foam Tape for Tube or Dressing Secural

1. Degree of the importance of tube or dressing -
   • The more critical the tubing/dressing, the higher the adhesion required
   • Strength of adhesion and backing may be more important than gentleness
   • Gentle tapes with higher adhesion may be used without increasing the risk of skin trauma if properly applied and removed
   • Some tapes are less gentle but are used for high initial adhesion, high long-term adhesion and high strength of backing
2. Surface characteristics -
   Skin -

   • Dry
   • Damp
   • Diaphoretic
   • Wet: secretions, leaking tubes
   • Weeping
   • Macerated
   • Oily
   • Hairy
   • Edematous
   • Intact vs. impaired skin integrity
   • Elastic vs. non-elastic
   • Fragile skin (elderly, very young)
   • "At-risk" (e.g., patient on systemic
     corticosteroids, chemotherapy; malnourished)
   • Flexing
   Dressing -

   • Material
   • Weight
   • Conformability

   Device -

   • Contour
   • Weight
   • Material: metal, plastic, other 

   Tubing -

   • Diameter: small, large
   • Texture: smooth, ribbed, other
   • Material: PVC, silicone, other
   • Weight
   • Length
   • Potential for drag or pull
   • Other support (e.g., sutures, tunneling)
    

• Heavy tubings require higher adhesion
• Bulky dressings require high conformability and may require greater adhesion
• Individual results may vary

3. Activity level of patient - The more active the patient, the higher the adhesion required
4. Potential for skin surface distention or movement - The risk of skin damage may be reduced by using tapes that stretch with skin distention or movement
5. Anticipated wear time - Tape adhesion generally builds over time. Breathable tapes are used for longer term wear.
6. History and current medical conditions - History and current medical conditions should be studied e.g., allergies/ sensitivities to medical adhesives, medications, medical conditions

3M Microfoam Tape User Manuals

• 3M Microfoam - Tips For Trouble Free Taping
• 3M Microfoam Tape - Solutions For Dressing And Device Securement
• 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape - FAQ