Construction
It’s been known for a long time that drugs of abuse can be detected in sweat. However, until the PharmChek® Sweat Patch was developed, there was no convenient, consistent way to collect the sweat for analysis.
The PharmChek® Sweat Patch is similar to a large band aid designed as a collector for non-volatile components of sweat including drugs of abuse. PharmChek® consists of an adhesive plastic film that holds an absorbent pad in place against the skin. The adhesive film of the patch is a semi-permeable membrane that allows oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor to pass through so that the skin can breathe normally. Larger molecules, such as drugs, are trapped in the absorbent pad of the patch. Contaminants from the environment cannot penetrate the adhesive barrier from the outside, so the patch can be worn during normal activities.
How It's Made
The outside layer of the PharmChek® Sweat Patch consists of a transparent, polyurethane film that is held to the skin by a hypoallergenic adhesive. The film and the adhesive are manufactured by 3M with the same surgical adhesive used in hospitals.
The absorption pad, housed under the transparent film, is the portion that collects the sweat components and is also the only portion of the Sweat Patch that is tested by the laboratory for the presence of drugs.
Between the adhesive and the absorbent pad is the release liner that allows the absorbent pad to be removed from the Sweat Patch easily after the patch is worn.
Each PharmChek® Sweat Patch has a unique I.D. number printed on the underside of the transparent film. This unique I.D. number is the number used to track the Sweat Patch on the chain of custody form.
PharmChek® is designed to collect the components of sweat, including drugs of abuse. Air and water vapor go through the film of the patch. Liquid, water, bacteria, drugs, and other contaminants cannot enter the patch from the outside.
How It Works
The PharmChek® Sweat Patch does not deliver any medications or chemicals to the body, it simply traps the drug metabolite and the parent drug molecules in the absorbent pad for analysis at the laboratory.
PharmChek® tests for Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, PCP, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, and Buprenorphine. The Sweat Patch detects not only the drug metabolite but also the parent drug.
PharmChek® provides continuous, 24/7 sample collection and retains evidence of drug use throughout the wear period. Designed for extended wear, the patch is tamper evident, making attempts to remove, compromise, or adulterate it visible.
The application and removal procedures are simple and can be done without special facilities.
