Flexcon Global is a leader in coated and laminated films and adhesives used as functional components in manufactured goods and graphics applications. As a material science company, Flexcon serves as a technology partner to innovators around the world.
Flexcon has commercialized Flexcon® Omni-Wave™ Signal Receptive Media Components, a revolutionary biosensing technology that eliminates the need for hydrogel in medical diagnostic and therapeutic wearable devices.
Omni-Wave™ technology uses a skin-friendly, medical grade conductive adhesive that requires no hydrogel or Ag/AgCl to get a signal. Omni-Wave™ is suitable for diagnostic applications such as EKG and sEMG and can distinguish between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses for EDA applications. It is also appropriate for therapeutic applications such as TENS and NMES if a secondary repositionable adhesive is used as a part of the electrode design.
Awarded multiple patents as well as the 2023Med-Tech Award for Materials Innovation, this non-hydrogel “dry” technology combines capacitive and resistive materials to achieve optimal biosignal sensing. Independent clinical studies have shown that the performance of
Omni-Wave™ components is equivalent to hydrogel-based diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Furthermore, performance is not affected by humidity, allowing patients to shower, bathe, and exercise normally. Omni-Wave™technology passes ISO 10993-10 for sensitization and irritation and is AAMI compliant. It is an approved component in customer 510(k) and CE marked finished good medical devices.
No hydrogel means a reduced chance of skin irritation for patients who are sensitive to hydrogel. In addition, Omni-Wave™ offers a cost-savings for medical device manufacturers and converter/fabricators. Savings are realized via fewer changeovers, no special handling, no requirement for expensive barrier packaging, and longer out-of-pack life.
“This is a disruptive technology that will enable medical device manufacturers to differentiate their product offering without sacrificing performance while providing an improved experience for patients with hydrogel allergies,” says Kelly Johnson, Product Manager - Healthcare, Flexcon. “Processing efficiencies, elimination of expensive barrier packaging as well as a 4X longer material shelf life are added bonuses.”
Omni-Wave™ is in stock and ready to be licensed to OEMs for incorporation to finished devices.
Visit our website for more information, to request samples, or to connect with a specialist.