PRESS RELEASE

The vapour permeability of transdermal patches

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The vapour permeability or porosity of transdermal patches is the critical factor in drug delivery to the patient, with different layers requiring different permeabilities for different vapours.  The drug layer, adhesive and membranes need to be permeable to the medication or its carrier, the outer layer needs to prevent ingress of water vapour and contaminants.  Time release layers and packaging have still different requirements.

Versaperm is a world technology leader in vapour permeability measurements and has introduced a new instrument which can determine the precise permeability of each layer or aspect of the transdermal patch.

Measuring the vapour permeability of the different vapours, materials and laminate structures in patches allows manufacturers to develop and quality control new and enhanced products, enabling them to optimise dose delivery rates for individual medication.
Versaperm's equipment is fast, simple to use, accurate and can measure the permeability of either each layer individually, or complex multi-layer structures as well as the product's packaging.  The system measures to a repeatable accuracy in the in Parts Per Million (PPM) range, with PPB range for some materials, this is crucial for both new product development and quality control.

Elements controlled by the transdermal patch's vapour permeabilities include its drug release rate, which is either controlled by a membrane or by the adhesive.  Additionally, the permeability of the patch's backing layers protects the medication from contamination during patient use and permeation enhancers are sometimes used to increase the rate of delivery drug. Lastly the product's packaging's permeability limits contamination during storage. 

As well as developing and manufacturing the equipment,  Versaperm offers a technical consultancy and a quick-turn-around laboratory testing service.

ENDS

Please send any sales enquiries to Christopher Roberts, Versaperm Limited ,
10 Rawcliffe House, Howarth Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1AP, UK, Tel: +44 1628 777668,
e.mail info@versaperm.co.uk Web http://www.versaperm.co.uk

For further Press Information please contact Gerry Palmer @ the Palmer & Rose Partnership. Tel 01494 637499, fax 0871 900 3898 e.mail gerry@palmer-rose.co.uk