Adhesive Fixation

Professional Fixation for Wound Dressings, Cannulae, Catheters & Medical Devices

Adhesive fixation products are used to secure wound dressings and selected medical devices safely to the skin. They are an important part of professional wound management whenever the primary dressing does not provide its own integrated fixation.

Within its current wound-management portfolio, HARTMANN groups products for wound-dressing fixation, cannula and catheter fixation, wound closure and transparent fixation under Adhesive Fixation. The current international range includes products such as Hydrofilm® roll, Omnifix® elastic, Omnifix® silicone, Cosmopor® I.V., Cosmopor I.V. transparent, Omnistrip® and various medical adhesive tapes. Product availability varies by market.

The category therefore has a different function from Absorbent Dressings, Wound Contact Layers or Superabsorbent Dressings:

wound dressing = wound management

adhesive fixation = securing the dressing or medical device

What Is Adhesive Fixation?

Keeping dressings securely in position

Many professional wound dressings are not self-adhesive.

Products such as conventional absorbent dressings, gauze or certain wound contact layers therefore require an additional fixation system to remain correctly positioned.

Adhesive fixation products can be used, depending on the individual product, for:

• fixation of wound dressings
• complete-cover dressing retention
• fixation of primary dressings
• securing cannulae and catheters
• fixation of tubes and probes
• transparent dressing fixation
• wound closure
• securing selected medical devices

HARTMANN describes the Adhesive Fixation category broadly as self-adhesive products for fixation of wound dressings, tubes, probes and catheters.

HARTMANN Adhesive Fixation Products

Different technologies for different fixation requirements

There is no single fixation product suitable for every application.

HARTMANN's current international Adhesive Fixation portfolio includes several functional groups:

• waterproof and transparent fixation
• strong adhesive fixation
• cannula fixation
• spool plasters and medical adhesive tapes
• wound-closure strips
• sports tape

The more compact UK wound-care range currently focuses on Hydrofilm® roll, Cosmopor® I.V., Omnistrip® and Omnifix® elastic.

For an international V-MEDTECH category, it therefore makes sense to cover the broader fixation concept while keeping individual product availability dependent on the destination market.

Omnifix® Elastic

Full-surface fixation of wound dressings

Omnifix® elastic is a self-adhesive non-woven fixation material designed particularly for complete-cover retention of wound dressings.

Its roll format allows the fixation material to be cut according to the required dimensions and adapted to the dressing and anatomical area.

Typical applications include the fixation of:

• non-self-adhesive wound dressings
• wound pads
• gauze dressings
• larger dressing areas
• selected medical devices

HARTMANN describes Omnifix elastic as a skin-friendly non-woven product for complete-cover dressing retention.

Omnifix® Silicone

Silicone adhesive fixation for sensitive and fragile skin

Omnifix® silicone extends the fixation concept with a silicone adhesive layer.

According to HARTMANN, the product is a self-adhesive, non-sterile fixation roll designed for reliable fixation with good breathability and conformability. It can be cut to size and is particularly intended for fixation of primary dressings and bandages, including use on sensitive and fragile skin.

The product consists of a polyester non-woven backing combined with a silicone adhesive system.

This makes Omnifix Silicone particularly relevant when the fixation concept needs to consider not only secure retention but also the condition of the surrounding skin.

Hydrofilm® Roll

Transparent waterproof fixation

Hydrofilm® roll is HARTMANN's transparent film solution for fixation of wound dressings.

HARTMANN currently positions Hydrofilm roll within the waterproof/transparent segment of its Adhesive Fixation portfolio and describes it as a waterproof film dressing for transparent fixation of wound dressings.

Transparent fixation can be particularly useful when visibility of the covered area or surrounding skin is desirable.

Compared with a non-woven fixation material, the film concept offers a different combination of:

• transparency
• fixation
• protection
• adaptability
• waterproof characteristics

The appropriate product should nevertheless always be selected according to the dressing, skin condition and clinical application.

Cosmopor® I.V.

Fixation of cannulae and catheters

Adhesive fixation is not limited to wound dressings.

Cosmopor® I.V. is a sterile, self-adhesive I.V. dressing designed for sterile coverage of the puncture site while simultaneously securing an indwelling cannula.

The product incorporates an opening for the cannula and a wound pad capable of managing light exudate or bleeding. HARTMANN currently supplies the product sterile and individually sealed.

This illustrates an important part of the Adhesive Fixation category:

fixation of a medical device + protection of the associated puncture site

Cosmopor I.V. Transparent

Transparent cannula and catheter fixation

Cosmopor I.V. transparent provides another concept for cannula and catheter fixation.

Its transparent film window enables visual assessment of the puncture site without routinely removing the dressing. HARTMANN describes the film as waterproof and as providing a barrier against water, bacterial penetration and external contaminants.

The product therefore combines:

• sterile covering
• cannula/catheter fixation
• transparent visual control
• protection of the puncture site

It should not be confused with a conventional wound-dressing fixation roll such as Omnifix.

Omnistrip®

Adhesive wound-closure strips

Omnistrip® occupies a special position within the category.

It is not primarily designed to fix a secondary wound dressing. HARTMANN classifies Omnistrip under Wound Closure and describes it as a non-woven wound-closure strip with strong adhesion.

Its primary purpose is therefore different:

Omnifix → fixation of a dressing

Omnistrip → approximation/closure of suitable wound edges

This distinction should remain clear within the V-MEDTECH product structure.

Medical Adhesive Tapes

Flexible fixation for everyday clinical applications

The international HARTMANN range also includes traditional adhesive tapes such as:

• Omniplast®
• Omnipor®
• Omnisilk®
• Omnifilm®

These products provide different adhesive tape concepts for professional medical applications and are currently grouped by HARTMANN within Adhesive Fixation.

Depending on the individual product, adhesive tapes can be used to secure dressings or other medical materials where a flexible, targeted fixation solution is required.

The exact adhesive properties, backing materials and application areas should always be considered at product level.

Fixation of Primary Wound Dressings

When the dressing itself is not adhesive

A large number of wound-care products require secondary fixation.

A typical dressing structure can be:

wound → primary wound dressing → adhesive fixation

For example, a non-self-adhesive absorbent dressing may be placed over the wound and then secured using an appropriate fixation material.

The fixation product should hold the dressing securely without interfering unnecessarily with the intended function of the wound dressing.

Fixation of Wound Contact Layers

Wound contact layers such as Atrauman® perform their function directly at the wound interface.

For an exuding wound, the dressing structure may consist of:

wound → Atrauman® → absorbent secondary dressing → fixation

In this system:

• Atrauman provides the wound-contact interface
• the secondary dressing absorbs exudate
• the fixation material keeps the dressing system in position

Adhesive fixation therefore performs a supporting but essential function within a modular wound-care system.

Fixation of Absorbent Dressings

Conventional absorbent dressings such as Zetuvit® generally require an appropriate fixation system when the selected product does not incorporate its own adhesive border.

A possible structure is:

wound → Zetuvit® → Omnifix®

The two products perform clearly different functions:

Zetuvit = absorption, protection & cushioning

Omnifix = fixation

This separation makes it possible to choose the wound dressing according to wound requirements and the fixation product according to skin, anatomy and dressing size.

Fixation of Superabsorbent Dressings

The same principle applies to non-bordered superabsorbent dressings.

A superabsorbent dressing such as Zetuvit® Plus is designed primarily for exudate management.

Where separate fixation is required, a suitable fixation system must be selected according to the product instructions and clinical situation.

The dressing is responsible for:

absorption & retention

The fixation system is responsible for:

secure positioning

These functions should not be confused.

Adhesive Fixation or Silicone-Bordered Dressing?

Some modern wound dressings already incorporate their own adhesive fixation.

For example, RespoSorb® Silicone Border combines a superabsorbent core with a silicone wound interface and an integrated adhesive border.

A non-bordered dressing requires a different concept:

non-bordered dressing + separate fixation

A bordered dressing provides:

wound dressing + integrated fixation

Separate adhesive fixation is therefore not automatically required for every wound dressing.

Adhesive Fixation or Postoperative Dressing?

Postoperative dressings such as Cosmopor® Steril already combine several functions in one product:

wound contact + absorption + protection + adhesive fixation

By contrast, a separate fixation product such as Omnifix is used primarily when another dressing needs to be secured.

This distinction helps prevent overlap between the V-MEDTECH categories.

Adhesive Fixation or Bandage?

Adhesive fixation and bandages can both secure dressing materials, but they use different principles.

An adhesive fixation product adheres to the skin or another appropriate surface.

A fixation bandage wraps around the anatomical region and can provide retention without a full adhesive surface.

HARTMANN currently maintains Adhesive Fixation and Non-Adhesive Fixation as separate wound-management categories. Its non-adhesive range includes products such as Peha-Fix®, Peha-haft®, Stülpa®-fix and Coverflex®.

This supports keeping Adhesive Fixation Products and Bandages as separate categories within V-MEDTECH.

Choosing the Right Adhesive Fixation Product

What needs to be fixed?

The first question is whether the product is required for:

• a wound dressing
• a large-area dressing
• a cannula
• a catheter
• a tube or probe
• wound closure
• another medical device

These applications require different fixation concepts.

How large is the dressing?

Large dressings may benefit from a fixation roll that can be cut to the required size.

Omnifix products are particularly relevant for complete-cover fixation of primary dressings.

What is the condition of the skin?

The surrounding skin is one of the most important selection criteria.

Factors include:

• intact or compromised skin
• sensitive skin
• fragile skin
• expected dressing-change frequency
• required adhesive strength
• anatomical location

For sensitive or fragile skin, a silicone adhesive fixation concept such as Omnifix Silicone may be particularly relevant.

Is transparency required?

If visual control of the covered area is important, a transparent fixation product may be preferable.

Hydrofilm roll provides transparent fixation for wound dressings, while Cosmopor I.V. transparent is specifically designed around cannula/catheter fixation and visual assessment of the puncture site.

Is waterproof protection required?

Water exposure and the required protective function should be considered when selecting the fixation material.

Transparent film products can provide different protective characteristics from conventional non-woven fixation products.

Always check the specifications of the individual product rather than assuming that every adhesive fixation product is waterproof.

HARTMANN Adhesive Fixation at a Glance

The exact assortment varies between national HARTMANN markets.

Adhesive Fixation for Hospitals & Clinics

Adhesive fixation products are used across numerous clinical departments and professional healthcare environments.

Potential applications include:

• hospital wards
• operating departments
• outpatient clinics
• wound-care centres
• emergency departments
• intensive care
• infusion therapy
• medical practices
• long-term care facilities

The appropriate fixation system should be selected according to the dressing or device, anatomical location, skin condition and required duration of fixation.

Adhesive Fixation for Medical Practices

Fixation products are also part of everyday wound care and treatment in outpatient medical settings.

Relevant users include:

• general medical practices
• surgical practices
• dermatology practices
• wound-care clinics
• outpatient treatment centres
• specialist practices

Different roll widths, materials and adhesive technologies allow the fixation concept to be adapted to the individual application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adhesive Fixation

What is adhesive fixation in wound care?

Adhesive fixation refers to self-adhesive medical products used to secure wound dressings or selected medical devices to the skin. HARTMANN's category includes products for dressing fixation, cannula/catheter fixation and wound closure.

Which HARTMANN products are used for adhesive fixation?

Depending on the market, the range includes Omnifix elastic, Omnifix silicone, Hydrofilm roll, Cosmopor I.V., Cosmopor I.V. transparent, Omnistrip and different medical adhesive tapes.

What is the difference between Omnifix® and a wound dressing?

Omnifix is primarily a fixation product. It secures another dressing. A wound dressing such as Zetuvit, HydroTac or HydroClean performs the primary wound-management function.

Which fixation product is suitable for sensitive skin?

HARTMANN specifically positions Omnifix Silicone for fixation of primary dressings and bandages, particularly on sensitive and fragile skin.

Can adhesive fixation be used for cannulae?

Yes, when the product is specifically designed for this application. Cosmopor I.V. is intended for sterile coverage of the puncture site while simultaneously securing an indwelling cannula.

Is every adhesive fixation product waterproof?

No. Waterproof properties depend on the product. Hydrofilm roll, for example, is specifically positioned as a waterproof transparent fixation film.

What is the difference between adhesive fixation and bandages?

Adhesive fixation products adhere to the skin or another suitable surface. Fixation bandages secure dressings by wrapping or conforming around the anatomical area. HARTMANN maintains adhesive and non-adhesive fixation as separate product categories.

Buy HARTMANN Adhesive Fixation Products at V-MEDTECH

At V-MEDTECH, hospitals, wound-care centres, medical practices and other healthcare professionals can find HARTMANN adhesive fixation products for the professional retention of wound dressings and selected medical devices.

The range includes different concepts for complete-cover fixation, silicone fixation, transparent film fixation, cannula and catheter fixation, wound closure and medical adhesive tapes, depending on product and market availability.

Within the V-MEDTECH wound-care structure, Adhesive Fixation remains clearly separated from Wound Contact Layers, Absorbent Dressings, Superabsorbent Wound Dressings, Postoperative Dressings and Bandages, allowing professional users to select products according to their primary function.