Gentle peel-off drape for vacuum-assisted wound healing

Surgical drape with a releasable acrylic adhesive for atraumatic negative pressure wound therapy

NIH-funded research Global Biomedical Technologies, LLC · NIH-11192823

A new peel-off adhesive dressing designed to lower skin injury and pain for people using vacuum-assisted (negative-pressure) wound therapy.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGlobal Biomedical Technologies, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Naples, United States)
Project IDNIH-11192823 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be offered a drape that sticks securely during vacuum-assisted wound therapy but is designed to release gently to avoid pulling on skin. The developers are creating and testing adhesive formulations and drape prototypes to keep a good airtight seal while reducing skin trauma on removal. Tests will include lab measurements of seal and adhesion plus evaluations of skin damage, pain during dressing changes, and wound-related outcomes, likely at clinical sites. If successful, this could change how dressings are used for chronic wounds, burns, and post-operative care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People receiving negative-pressure (vacuum-assisted) wound therapy for chronic wounds, acute open wounds, burns, or post-operative wounds—especially those who have experienced pain or skin injury from adhesive drapes.

Not a fit: People who are not using NPWT, who require non-adhesive dressings, or who have known sensitivity/allergy to acrylic adhesives may not benefit from this product.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could reduce medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI), lessen pain during dressing changes, and help wounds heal without dressing-related setbacks.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows that gentler drapes can reduce pain and peri-wound injury, but products that reliably balance strong seals with atraumatic removal remain limited and this approach is a targeted innovation.

Where this research is happening

Naples, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.