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

Abstract

Since the beginning of human history, the demand for effective healthcare systems for diagnosis and treatment of health problems has grown steadily. However, traditional centralized healthcare requires hospital visits, making in‐time and long‐term healthcare challenging. Bioelectronics has shown potential in patient‐friendly healthcare owing to the rapid advances in diverse fields of biology and electronics. In particular, wearable and implantable bioelectronics have emerged as an alternative or adjunct to conventional healthcare. To develop into next‐generation healthcare systems, however, custom designs for biological targets with a deepened understanding of the intrinsic features of the target are essential. In addition, bioelectronic systems must be designed eco‐friendly for sustainable healthcare. In this review, bioelectronics as eco‐friendly and patient‐friendly integrated nanoarchitectonics as next‐generation smart healthcare technology are described. For an in‐depth understanding of biological targets and guidelines for target‐tailored design, we discuss target‐specific considerations and relevant key parameters of bioelectronic systems with the representative examples.

Wireless Battery-free and Fully Implantable Organ Interfaces

“…This interface is often the weakest link of the devices because it may present a failure point in the encapsulation or may fail to deliver sensing and stimulation modalities over time. 190 For chemical targets, biointerfaces can be engineered to recognize the target analyte with semipermeable membrane (SPM) coatings without degrading the device. 191 Figure 6d demonstrates the working mechanism of SPM implantable sensor systems.…”

“…For a pacemaker, for example, the interface needs to be permeable to currents and voltage to deliver stimulus and enable electrophysiological measurement, but remain impermeable to liquid ingress. This interface is often the weakest link of the devices because it may present a failure point in the encapsulation or may fail to deliver sensing and stimulation modalities over time …”

Hydrophobic Association Hydrogel Enabled by Multiple Noncovalent Interactions for Wearable Bioelectronics in Amphibious Environments

“…Flexible wearable electronic devices have received growing attention across various fields, including human motion detection, healthcare monitoring, implantable bioelectronics, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. − Constructing multifunctional and dependable flexible substrates plays a crucial role in fabricating smart stretchable electronic devices. A variety of materials, such as flexible plastic, fabrics, liquid metal, and conductive elastomers, have gained considerable interest among researchers. − Among them, conductive hydrogels have become the most promising candidates for developing flexible electronics due to their biocompatibility, tunable mechanical strength, and customizable electronic performance. − Although tremendous progress has been made in conventional hydrogel sensors for terrestrial sensing, it remains challenging to avoid hydrogel swelling, maintain mechanical stability, and accurately detect electrophysiological signals by skin-worn sensors within dangerous and rigorous aquatic environments. − Therefore, multifunctional hydrophobic hydrogel electronics that can not only ensure the application in land environment but also sustain complicated water conditions are highly desired. − …”

Lightweight and Strong Cellulosic Triboelectric Materials Enabled by Cell Wall Nanoengineering

“…With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, material science, bioengineering, electronics and data analysis technology, people have paid increased attention to human body monitoring, which is driving the evolution of wearable devices. − Currently, wearable devices have been continuously monitored in versatile fields, such as healthcare, sports, emergency rescue, consumer electronics, and so on. ,− However, achieving both multifunctionality and miniaturization in wearable devices remains a significant challenge. The ideal wearable device strikes a delicate balance between offering diverse functionalities and remaining compact and lightweight to maximize user comfort and wearability. − Fortunately, the development of triboelectric sensors presents a promising solution to this miniaturization, lightness, and energy demand conundrum.…”