Wearable and Implantable Devices for Cardiovascular Healthcare: from Monitoring to Therapy Based on Flexible and Stretchable Electronics

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and has dramatically increased in recent years. Continuous cardiac monitoring is particularly important for early diagnosis and prevention, and flexible and stretchable electronic devices have emerged as effective tools for this purpose. Their thin, soft, and deformable features allow intimate and long-term integration with biotissues, which enables continuous, high-fidelity, and sometimes large-area cardiac monitoring on the skin and/or heart surface. In addition to monitoring, intimate contact is also crucial for high-precision therapies. Combined with tissue engineering, soft bioelectronics have also demonstrated the capability to repair damaged cardiac tissues. This review highlights the recent advances in wearable and implantable devices based on flexible and stretchable electronics for cardiovascular monitoring and therapy. First, wearable/implantable soft bioelectronics for cardiovascular monitoring (e.g., the electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation level) are reviewed. Then, advances in cardiovascular therapy based on soft bioelectronics (e.g., mesh pacing, ablation, robotic sleeves, and electronic stents) are discussed. Finally, device-assisted tissue engineering therapy (e.g., functional electronic scaffolds and in vitro cardiac platforms) is discussed.

Fully Printed, Wireless, Stretchable Implantable Biosystem toward Batteryless, Real‐Time Monitoring of Cerebral Aneurysm Hemodynamics

“…[1][2][3] In combination with soft materials, stretchable and flexible devices, including biosensors, with low form factors have been developed. [1][2][3] In combination with soft materials, stretchable and flexible devices, including biosensors, with low form factors have been developed.…”

“…Recently, microstructured flow diverters have shown a 76% complete occlusion rate, greatly reducing the risk of rupture. [1][2][3] Some recent works with rigid electronics have attempted the integration of the inductive coupling method with medical stents. In the vascular system, implantable sensors must achieve high stretchabilities and flexibilities, while mantaining an extremely low-profile form to not disrupt or impede blood flow, particularly in cerebral arteries where vessel diameters are as low as 3 mm in diameter.…”

Highly Stretchable Bilayer Lattice Structures That Elongate via In‐Plane Deformation

“…The quest for engineering structures that are ultrastretchable is ubiquitous, especially for the emerging field of wearable electronics and batteries that desire large deformability beyond 100% of strain . Structural designs and the constituent materials are the two key factors in determining the stretchability.…”

“…The quest for engineering structures that are ultrastretchable is ubiquitous, especially for the emerging field of wearable electronics and batteries that desire large deformability beyond 100% of strain. [1][2][3] Structural designs and the constituent materials are the two key factors in determining the stretchability. Unfortunately, most engineering materials including silicon, metal, ceramics, and plastics are intrinsically stiff and do not nanomesh, and kirigami).…”

Stretchable Low‐Impedance Nanocomposite Comprised of Ag–Au Core–Shell Nanowires and Pt Black for Epicardial Recording and Stimulation

“…Recently, several studies have been performed to overcome the above‐mentioned limitations of conventional CRTs, which include development of novel stretchable device designs as well as soft conductive materials . Some studies have been based on purely mechanical approaches, which involve the use of large‐area epicardial wraps to support heart contraction.…”