individual segments of polymeric material exceeds that of an otherwise identical single polymeric segment construct having equal area as compared to the two individual segments combined. The effective separation of adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 into four individual segments (also referred to as adhering subdomains), as shown in Fig. 2 will similarly provide for enhanced shear strength as compared to first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10, lacking the slit discontinuities. It will be recognized that the comments made above in connection with the introduction of slits into first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 apply equally to slitted instances of second adhesive-backed anchoring member 16. 

It was stated above that it is preferred that one end of the slits 24a on first adhesive- backed anchoring member 10 closely approach wound edge 11. The integrity of wound edge 11 must be maintained during the application process. Therefore, prior to application, the slits 24a on first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 should not extend all the way to wound edge 11, thereby severing wound edge 11. In another instance of the present disclosure, slits 24a on first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 may terminate near wound edge 11, and a perforations may be introduced extending the slits 24a all the way to wound edge 11. The perforations will not separate during the application process and the integrity of the wound edge will be maintained. However, in the weeks following application, due to flexion and stretching, the perforations may break at the wound edge thereby allowing adhering subdomains of the first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 to operate more independently. The disclosure regarding slits 24a applies equally to slits 24b. 

Referring again to slits 24a in first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 in Fig. 2, at the edge of the first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 generally opposite wound edge 11, slits may be extended to the edge by perforation, as discussed above in connection with perforations approaching the wound edge. Furthermore, the integrity of the edge generally opposite wound edge 11, is not as critical as the integrity of wound edge 11. Using no more than routine experimentation, it may be determined that slits may be introduced in the manufacturing process that actually sever the edge of the first adhesive-backed anchoring member 10 generally opposite wound edge 11. Again, comments relating to extension of slits toward edges apply equally to second adhesive-backed anchoring member 16. 

## Exemplification 

Preferred polymeric sheet materials were applied to a substrate material and subjected to cyclic 10% stretching to simulate use in vivo. Following cyclic stretching, the adhered polymeric materials were subjected to shear testing to evaluate adherence. 

