Silicone gel adhesive with hydrophillic and antimicrobial properties

An adhesive composition comprising:

• a) 35 to 95 weight percent of a silicone gel based on a total weight of the adhesive composition, the silicone gel comprising a crosslinked poly(diorganosiloxane) having terminal groups of formula O—Si(R1)(R2)2 wherein R1 is hydroxyl, alkyl, or aryl and each R2 is independently alkyl or aryl;
• b) 5 to 50 weight percent of a hydrophilic component based on the total weight of the adhesive composition, the hydrophilic component being dispersed in the silicone gel, wherein the hydrophilic component comprises a carbohydrate having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, a carbohydrate derivative having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, or a combination thereof and wherein the hydrophilic component is covalently crosslinked to the poly(diorganosiloxane) by electron beam or gamma ray radiation;
• and
• c) 0.1 to 20 weight percent of an antimicrobial agent based on the total weight of the adhesive composition, the antimicrobial agent being dispersed in the silicone gel, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises elemental copper, elemental silver, a silver-containing compound, or a combination thereof;
• wherein less than 10 weight percent of the hydrophilic component is extractable from the adhesive composition into a phosphate buffer saline solution at pH 7 within 24 hours at room temperature and wherein the adhesive composition is a pressure sensitive adhesive.