What to Consider When Sourcing Cohesive Tape for Medical Tubing Sets

When it comes to manufacturing medical equipment, every detail matters. A seemingly insignificant feature or convenient component can help medical professionals do their job easier and make a difference for patients. One example that comes to mind is cohesive tape for medical devices with tubing sets.

Cohesive tape goes by many other names, including self-bonding tape, cold seal tape, paper tape, and latex-free tape, among others. No matter what you call it, cohesive tape is often used to bundle and organize medical tubing of medical devices.

Opportunities in the medical tubing market

The growth of the medical tubing market is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for medical devices, the growing geriatric population, the rising prevalence of chronic illness, the shift to disposable components to reduce hospital-acquired infections, and the improvement of healthcare infrastructure in developing regions.

Cohesive tape is ideal for a variety of medical tubing sets, including:

• Intravenous lines and infusions used for administering medication and fluids
• Respiratory equipment such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and respirators
• Dialysis machines that purify the blood
• Catheters that aid in various procedures by providing access to different areas of the body

Benefits of cohesive tape for medical tubing sets

What makes cohesive tape so unique is its ability to only stick to itself and not to other surfaces. This is a tremendous benefit for medical devices because cohesive tape can secure tubing without leaving residue on the plastic tubing. Cohesive tape is also easy to remove and reseal, making it a good choice for fast-paced medical environments. Lastly, cohesive tape remains functional after going through common sterilization methods.

Key considerations for cohesive tape

If you’re sourcing cohesive tape for medical tubing sets, here are the areas to consider and discuss with potential manufacturing partners.

Availability and lead time

Whether you’re bringing a new product to market or making a supplier change, one of the first questions you may ask is, “What’s the availability?” This is a valid question with the ongoing supply chain disruption. Also, keep in mind that selecting an overseas supplier typically results in longer lead times.

When sourcing cohesive tape, it is crucial to select a supplier that guarantees steady availability and can keep up with your demand, even during peak production periods. Any delay in the supply chain can disrupt your production line, leading to potential financial loss and a negative impact on patient care. So, it’s a good idea to ask about the potential partner’s stock levels, lead times, and supply chain management, including their relationship with the raw materials supplier.

Standard and Custom Sizes

Cohesive tape comes in standard sizes that are cost-efficient and meet a wide range of application requirements. Standard sizes include widths of 12 mm (0.5 in.), 18mm (0.75 in.), and 24 mm (1.0 in.).

If your specifications fall outside the standard sizes, you should inquire about custom-sized cohesive tape. While this may come with slightly higher costs and longer lead times, it could be essential for your product’s success.

Whether you go with standard or custom sizes, you will likely need to cut the tape to the desired length that will fit around the tubing set. You can either have your manufacturing partner handle the material conversion or invest in a cohesive tape dispenser to assemble the set in-house.

Compliance with regulatory requirements

Like all medical device products, cohesive tape for tubing sets must comply with stringent regulatory requirements to ensure safety and effectiveness. So, it’s critical that your manufacturing partner is familiar with and complies with all pertinent standards.

The most common requirements are ISO 13485 and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. ISO 13485 is an internationally recognized standard that sets the requirements for a quality management system specific to the medical devices industry. However, depending on your location and market, you may also need to comply with other regulations such as European REACH, RoHS Directive, CONEG legislation, and California’s Proposition 65.

Quality control

In addition to regulatory compliance, you should feel confident in your manufacturing partner’s commitment to quality control. That’s because a single product defect can lead to patient harm, regulatory scrutiny, and significant reputational damage. When vetting manufacturing partners, ask for customer references and details on their Quality Management System (QMS).

Choosing the right partner for cohesive tape

Sourcing cohesive tape for medical tubing sets involves more than just finding a supplier. It involves careful consideration of the tape's availability, sizing options, regulatory compliance, and quality control measures. By considering these four aspects, you can ensure you're choosing the best long-term partner.

At Tapecon, not only do we offer advanced outsourced manufacturing, but we also have our own line of cohesive tape for flexible medical packaging. We carry 15 standard sizes of Ryandra cohesive tape, as well as custom sizes. Finally, we stand by our product so that you can expect the highest levels of quality and consistency.

Let’s make something great

With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, Tapecon works with product teams to solve challenges, create products, and enhance lives. Learn more about our Ryandra cohesive tapes and supplies applications.