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Soft and Stretchable Optical Waveguide: Light Delivery and Manipulation at Complex Biointerfaces Creating Unique
Chenjian Wu1, Xiangjiang Liu1,2, Yibin Ying1
1College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
ACS Sensors
|February 22, 2021
Summary
Soft polymer optical waveguides offer a flexible, safe alternative for wearable sensors. This review explores their properties, applications, and challenges for advanced biointegrated devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Conventional optical waveguides are rigid, limiting their use in wearable/implantable devices.
- This rigidity causes discomfort and safety concerns at biointerfaces.
- Soft and stretchable polymer optical waveguides offer a promising solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties and applications of polymer optical waveguides in wearable/implantable sensing.
- To highlight the advantages of polymer optical waveguides over conventional types.
- To identify challenges and propose solutions for flexible polymer optical waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in polymer optical waveguides.
- Analysis of properties such as flexibility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, porosity, and stimulus responsiveness.
- Examination of applications in wearable and implantable sensors.
Main Results:
- Polymer optical waveguides exhibit desirable properties for biointegrated devices.
- They offer advantages like electromagnetic interference immunity and no electrical hazards.
- Key applications in light-based wearable/implantable sensors are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Flexible polymer optical waveguides are crucial for developing advanced light-based sensors.
- Current challenges include optical loss, signal instability, manufacturing, and implantation.
- Addressing these challenges will enhance the performance and usability of these devices.
