Wearable and Implantable Soft Bioelectronics: Device Designs and Material Strategies

High-performance wearable and implantable devices capable of recording physiological signals and delivering appropriate therapeutics in real time are playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing personalized healthcare. However, the mechanical and biochemical mismatches between rigid, inorganic devices...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of chemical and biomolecular engineering 2021-06, Vol.12 (1), p.359-391
Main Authors: Sunwoo, Sung-Hyuk, Ha, Kyoung-Ho, Lee, Sangkyu, Lu, Nanshu, Kim, Dae-Hyeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electronic materials
flexible electronics
health monitoring
Human tissues
implantable devices
Irritation
point-of-care therapy
soft materials
stretchable electronics
wearable devices
Wearable technology
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Summary:High-performance wearable and implantable devices capable of recording physiological signals and delivering appropriate therapeutics in real time are playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing personalized healthcare. However, the mechanical and biochemical mismatches between rigid, inorganic devices and soft, organic human tissues cause significant trouble, including skin irritation, tissue damage, compromised signal-to-noise ratios, and limited service time. As a result, profuse research efforts have been devoted to overcoming these issues by using flexible and stretchable device designs and soft materials. Here, we summarize recent representative research and technological advances for soft bioelectronics, including conformable and stretchable device designs, various types of soft electronic materials, and surface coating and treatment methods. We also highlight applications of these strategies to emerging soft wearable and implantable devices. We conclude with some current limitations and offer future prospects of this booming field.
ISSN:1947-5438
1947-5446
DOI:10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-101420-024336