Shape-adaptable biodevices for wearable and implantable applications.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Robotics

Background:

• Wearable and implantable biodevices are transforming disease diagnosis and treatment.
• A key challenge is the geometrical mismatch between rigid biodevices and soft human tissues, limiting performance.
• Shape-adaptable biodevices offer a solution by actively conforming to body tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review design principles and control strategies for shape-adaptable biodevices.
• To highlight the state-of-the-art progress and applications of these biodevices.
• To identify challenges and future directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on shape-adaptable biodevices.
• Analysis of design principles and control strategies.
• Categorization and discussion of diverse application areas.

Main Results:

• Shape-adaptable biodevices enable programmable geometries and active compliance, enhancing functionality.
• Applications span smart textiles, wound care, healthcare monitoring, drug delivery, tissue regeneration, nerve interfaces, and surgery.
• Significant progress has been made, offering innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Conclusions:

• Shape-adaptable biodevices present a promising approach to overcome geometrical constraints in biodevice design.
• Further advancements in intelligence for sensing and responding to physiological environments are crucial for clinical success.
• Future research will focus on enhancing performance and expanding applications for next-generation wearable and implantable technologies.