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18 Worcester Business Journal | April 3, 2023 | wbjournal.com W ith each new innova- tion in research and technology comes a new problem in need of a solution. With medical devices it's even more prevalent. Sometimes the answer can be found in research done for a different field. at's what happened with FLEXcon Co., Inc.'s OMNI-WAVE technology, which came out of research for batteries and is now being implemented by medi- cal device companies as a way to replace hydrogel, the moist and sticky backing used to attach EKG and ECG devices to patients. "OMNI-WAVE is a disruptive health- care innovation that yields substantial cost savings for medical electrode and device manufacturers, and provides a better overall experience for patients," Aditi Subramanian, the healthcare business unit manager at FLEXcon, said via email. OMNI-WAVE is a new conductive adhesive that is not moisture depen- dent. e technology will help patients who develop rashes from hydrogels while making ECG and EKG machines more accurate. OMNI-WAVE removes the moisture barrier and requires less packaging. "OMNI-WAVE started 20 years ago," Subramanian said. With the technology now firmly in hand, FLEXcon is partnering with large medical device and electrode companies to replace hydrogels. "is revolutionary biosensing technology was developed with patient comfort in mind. It has been awarded more than 100 patents worldwide and is ready to change the medical electrode paradigm," Subramanian said. FLEXcon isn't stopping at medical devices, though, as the company is exploring using the technology with wearable devices and sports devices. is is in line with the company's 67- year history of serving as a development partner with engineers and designers to bring innovative ideas from concept to reality, which it has done over the years with markets including transportation, electronics, industrial, health care, construction and energy, with a focus on improving human lives through emerg- ing technology. FLEXcon was started by Chairman Neil McDonough's father Myles in a Spencer garage in 1956. Now, the company is a global manufacturer of pressure-sensitive film products with fa- cilities in Spencer as well as Columbus, Nebraska, and Glenrothes, Scotland. e company employs more than 700 people and has established itself as a leader in the field of coated and laminated films, and adhesives. e company has sur- passed more than $300 million annual sales. With the OMNI-WAVE as one of the company's latest research developments, the company has clearly honored its innovative past while setting itself up for a bright future. F O C U S M A N U F A C T U R I N G E X C E L L E N C E A W A R D S W FLEXcon's new adhesive seeks to change the medical device paradigm Pam Fitzgerald works at the FLEXcon facility in Spencer. Top Product Design & Innovation F L E X c o n C o . , I n c . Headquarters: Spencer Other locations: Kentucky, California, Texas, Nebraska, Canada, Mexico, Scotland, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore Industry subsector: Label materials for all applications and industries Founded: 1956 Employees: 700+ Top executive: Aimee Peacock, president of FLEXcon North America Primary product: Pressure-sensitive films and adhesives Institutional knowledge: The average tenure of employees at the third- generation, family-owned business is 20 years. PHOTO | COURTESY OF FLEXCON CO., INC Call WBJ Custom Corporate Project Director Christine Juetten at 508-755-8004 ext. 270. Worcester Business Journal WBJ Custom Publishing Division A MAJOR ANNIVERSARY... A NEW BUILDING... A MAJOR COMPANY MILESTONE Can we create a CUSTOM magazine for you? Whether it's the celebration of a major anniversary or the opening of a new headquarters, Worcester Business Journal's Custom Publishing Division can help you create a custom magazine for your business. Our division's top flight team of writers and designers can help you tell your story – and make your business look great! Based on our unique publishing model, it's surprisingly affordable. Making a Difference for 150 Years An advertising supplement to the Worcester Business Journal An advertising supplement to the Worcester Business Journal 25 Years in Service to the Community www.notredamehealthcare.org BY KEVIN KOCZWARA WBJ Staff Writer