FLEXcon Introduces Hydrogel-Free Biosensing Electrode Tech at MEDICA

FLEXcon Company Inc. debuted the FLEXcon OMNI-WAVE Signal Receptive Media Components at MEDICA this week. 

The OMNI-WAVE is a 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. FLEXcon 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.  

“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,” said Kelly Johnson, product manager of Healthcare at FLEXcon. “Elimination of expensive barrier packaging as well as three to six times longer out-of-pack life are added bonuses.” 

Awarded multiple patents, this non-hydrogel “dry” technology combines capacitive with conductive biomedical signal sensing to eliminate crosstalk. Independent clinical studies have shown that the performance of FLEXcon 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. FLEXcon 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 medical devices. 

No hydrogel means a reduced chance of skin irritation for patients who are sensitive to hydrogel. In addition, FLEXcon OMNI-WAVE requires no expensive barrier packaging and affords longer out-of-pack life, providing a cost savings to both manufacturers and end-users. 

FLEXcon Company is a global developer of coated and laminated films and adhesives used as functional components in manufactured goods and in graphics applications. A family-owned company for more than 65 years, FLEXcon serves as a development partner to engineers and designers to bring their ideas from concept to reality, for markets such as transportation, electronics, industrial, healthcare, and construction and energy, with a focus on improving human lives through emerging technology. Headquartered in Spencer, Mass., the company has operations throughout North America and Europe with distribution worldwide. 

FLEXcon is exhibiting at MEDICA through Nov. 17 in Hall 9, B55.