Flexible organic integrated electronics for self-powered multiplexed ocular monitoring

Abstract

Smart contact lens has drawn extensive research interests due to the noninvasive real-time detection of the human body to provide biomedical information for health management. However, it has been difficult to accurately measure the physiological signals in tears, and the use of external power source has also hindered the future applications. Here, we demonstrated an organic electrochemical transistor based multiplexed sensors self-powered by the organic solar cells (OSCs). The integrated device was fabricated via simple process including solution blade-coating and thermal evaporation. OSCs were optimized to provide optimal operation voltage for the sensors that exhibit semilog-linear response to the glucose and calcium ions in tear fluids without any peripheral circuits. The sensing signals can be transmitted to the laptop wirelessly through a near filed communication unit. This integrated self-powered multiplexed sensing device will provide real-time monitoring of the biomarkers in tears, prospected to be installed on the smart contact lens for the early detection and diagnosis of diabetes.

High‐Performance Internal Ion‐Gated Organic Electrochemical Transistors for High‐Frequency Bioimpedance Analysis

“…[ 8–12 ] Combining this with the high flexibility in device architecture, OECTs have been introduced in versatile formats for multiple purposes, such as multi‐channel platforms for cardiac mapping, flexible neural probes, and wearable chemical sensors. [ 13–20 ]…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12] Combining this with the high flexibility in device architecture, OECTs have been introduced in versatile formats for multiple purposes, such as multi-channel platforms for cardiac mapping, flexible neural probes, and wearable chemical sensors. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Despite the remarkable attributes demonstrated by OECT, there remain intrinsic limitations constraining its scope of application. As OECT operation involves ion exchange with the external electrolytes, its operating speed is determined by the "time of flight" of ions across the gate-electrolyte-channel circuit.…”

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics as eco‐friendly and patient‐friendly integrated nanoarchitectonics for next‐generation smart healthcare technology

“…Based on these requirements, highly sensitive sensor arrays have been developed, 180–182 and highly sensitive and ultrasmall electronics fabricated via simple processes (e.g., involving printing and lasers) and integration with external circuits are predicted to be important advances for the care of facial organs 183 . Furthermore, various eco‐friendly issues are dissolved in advanced healthcare systems of facial organs, such as miniaturization, low power consumption, solar cells in bioelectronics systems 182 . Several biocompatible methods have been reported, such as the integration of ultrathin electronics in contact lenses, ink‐jet printing process, transparent and stretchable nanomaterials, and organ‐on‐a‐chip 177 .…”

“…179 In particular, healthcare systems of facial organs need a lot of resources and power consumption. Based on these requirements, highly sensitive sensor arrays have been developed, [180][181][182] and highly sensitive and ultrasmall electronics fabricated via simple processes (e.g., involving printing and lasers) and integration with external circuits are predicted to be important advances for the care of facial organs. 183 Furthermore, various eco-friendly issues are dissolved in advanced healthcare systems of facial organs, such as miniaturization, low power consumption, solar cells in bioelectronics systems.…”

“…183 Furthermore, various eco-friendly issues are dissolved in advanced healthcare systems of facial organs, such as miniaturization, low power consumption, solar cells in bioelectronics systems. 182 Several biocompatible methods have been reported, such as the integration of ultrathin electronics in contact lenses, ink-jet printing process, transparent and stretchable nanomaterials, and organ-on-a-chip. 177 Due to the limited spatial area of the facial organs, micro-and nanoscale electronics are integrated for applications (e.g., light emitting diodes [LEDs], Ag nanofiber [NF] antennae, tonometers, Ag nanowire [NW] heat patches, graphene field-effect transistors [FETs], application-specific integrated circuits, organic solar cell, metal-polymer conductors [MPCs], and integrated circuit chips).…”