Choosing the right medical tape has a significant impact on safety and care. Tapes vary in how effectively they secure tubings and dressings, whether they can become vectors for pathogens, their effects on patients’ skin, and whether they accelerate or hinder healing.
There are 11 items in the 3M™ Transpore™ Surgical Tape series. Each transpore tape product is breathable, strong, and easy to tear into thin strips. Discover how 3M™ Transpore™ can make a difference in wound care—and whether it might be right for you.
What Is Transpore Tape?
Transpore™ is a line of polyethylene surgical tapes created by Solventum (formerly 3M™). Medical developers describe Transpore as “a multi-purpose, transparent plastic tape,” one that’s “ideal for a variety of medical securement applications including blood draws, lightweight dressings and secondary securement of IV lines and non-critical tubes.”
Let’s dive into the features that make Transpore tapes truly unique.
Features of 3M™ Transpore™ Tape Products
The features of Transpore™ series surgical tapes make them effective for general medical use—though not ideal for every single application.
Acrylite Adhesive
The Transpore tapes’ adhesive is made of acrylate, a high-strength acrylic derivative. In a comparison of Solventum 3M™ tapes, Transpore™ tapes’ initial adhesive strength is rated “high,” and it has the third-strongest adhesion to damp skin.
Notably, it is not a gentle adhesive. However, some of the adhesive’s abrasiveness upon removal is mitigated by Transpore tapes’ pressure-sensitive design.
Pressure-Sensitive Securement
The pressure-sensitive securement design makes it easier to remove the tape painlessly.
First, apply pressure to part of the tape on the skin. Then, while maintaining that pressure, lift the edge of the tape and begin to slowly stretch and peel the tape off in the direction of application.
This “low and slow” method lets the acrylic release its grip more readily, limiting the risk of skin tears during removal.
Bi-Directional Tear Design
The bi-directional design makes it easy to tear the tape into strips or rectangles with straight edges. This makes narrow securement bands possible. The design also prevents the tape’s edges from wrinkling or folding before you can apply it.
Breatheable
Like most porous tapes, Transpore™ medical tape is breathable. Breathable tapes let skin expel excess moisture naturally. This helps maintain skin health and promotes an optimal healing environment.
Transparent
Transpore™ tapes are entirely clear. It’s easy to see through them without removal. This lets medical professionals easily keep an eye on the skin under the tape, to stay alert to signs of bruising or discoloration.
Hypoallergenic
Transpore™ tape is latex-free. It is unlikely to cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.
How 3M™ Transpore™ Tapes Differ From Other Medical Tapes
Transpore tape has different strengths, weaknesses, and optimal applications than other Solventum medical tapes. For more general insights, see our detailed resource, “Buyers’ Guide: Medical Tapes.”
Transpore™ Tape Vs. Micropore™ Tape
Micropore™ tape is a soft, stretchy non-woven fabric (“paper-like”) tape with a gentle, silicone-based adhesive. It can be used safely on damp or fragile skin.
In contrast, Transpore™ is a transparent, breathable polyethylene surgical tape with an acrylate adhesive. Its directional adhesive has a strong hold, making it ideal to secure heavier tubes or bulky dressings. It’s effective on both dry and damp skin, as it resists moisture.
Pressure-sensitive acrylate tape can be removed without damaging skin by using a careful “low and slow” method. However, it isn’t as good as silicone adhesive on fragile skin.
Differences Between Transpore™, Medipore™, and Surgical Microfoam™ Tape
Solventum’s Transpore™ tape series is stronger and easier to tear precisely than Medipore tape, even when wearing gloves. But, Medipore™ tape is better able to accommodate swollen tissue than Transpore tape.
Microfoam™ tape is made of a closed-cell, water-resistant cushioning foam. It can be used as a compression dressing.
However, Transpore™ tape has a stronger adhesion than Microfoam™ tape. Moreover, Transpore™ tape can adhere to damp skin, while Microfoam tape cannot.
Benefits of Transpore Medical Tape
For medical professionals, the greatest benefits of Transpore™ tape are its strength, how easy it is to handle, and how its transparency lets you monitor the skin it covers at-a-glance.
Transpore™ tape offers stronger securement than any other medical tape. It’s also the only tape designed to be easy to manipulate and tear while wearing medical gloves.
When Is Solventum Transpore Surgical Tape The Best Option?
Solventum recommends Transpore™ tape be used for general clinical applications. The adhesive is strong enough to use effectively during blood draws, to secure lightweight dressings and IV lines, and act as secondary securement for tubes.
Transpore™ tape shouldn’t be applied to fragile or at-risk (cracked) skin. In those cases, use a barrier film like 3M™ Cavilon™, or a Micropore tape with silicone-based adhesive.
Shop High-Quality Medical Tapes & Supplies Today
Medical Monks offers three Transpore™ Tape products in our curated online store.
The MEDICAL MONKS STAFF brings to the table decades of combined knowledge and experience in the medical products industry.
Edited for content by JORDAN GAYSO.
