Fiber‐type soft bioelectronics for wearable and implantable sensing and therapy
Haneul Kim, Hak Yong Kim, Ja Hoon Koo, Hak Yong Kim, Dae‐Hyeong Kim, Hye Jin Kim, Dae‐Hyeong Kim, Hye Jin Kim, Hye Jin Kim
Abstract
Abstract Fiber‐type soft bioelectronics are revolutionizing wearable and implantable healthcare technologies by addressing critical clinical challenges, particularly minimizing the mismatch in mechanical stiffness between bioelectronics and biological tissues. These devices can seamlessly integrate with dynamic in vivo environments. Their inherent mechanical flexibility and structural adaptability enable applications in both confined sensitive regions and expansive highly mobile areas of the body. Beyond adaptability, fiber‐type soft bioelectronics offer multifunctionality, enabling real‐time biological signal acquisition, targeted drug delivery, and localized electrical stimulation. Moreover, fabric‐based designs offer excellent conformability, making them suitable for long‐term monitoring of physical, electrochemical, and electrophysiological signals. This article presents a comprehensive review on fiber‐type soft bioelectronics technologies, with a focus on their wearable and implantable applications in healthcare. First, the fundamental requirements for these devices are outlined, describing the foundation for their design and functional integration. Technological advancements that fulfill those requirements are described based on actual examples. The review also examines the materials used for the fibers, highlighting their mechanical, electrical, and biocompatible properties. Next, strategies for fiber fabrication are discussed, including methods for transforming fibers into fabrics. Finally, recent breakthroughs in the applications of fiber‐ and fabric‐type soft bioelectronics in health monitoring and therapeutic interventions are explored.