Open AccessWearable and Implantable Electroceuticals for Therapeutic Electrostimulations
Author(s) -
Long Yin,
Li Jun,
Yang Fan,
Wang Jingyu,
Wang Xudong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202004023
Subject(s) - wearable computer , conformable matrix , wearable technology , therapeutic modalities , medicine , biomedical engineering , biocompatibility , preclinical research , computer science , materials science , medical physics , embedded system , metallurgy , composite material , physical therapy
Wearable and implantable electroceuticals (WIEs) for therapeutic electrostimulation (ES) have become indispensable medical devices in modern healthcare. In addition to functionality, device miniaturization, conformability, biocompatibility, and/or biodegradability are the main engineering targets for the development and clinical translation of WIEs. Recent innovations are mainly focused on wearable/implantable power sources, advanced conformable electrodes, and efficient ES on targeted organs and tissues. Herein, nanogenerators as a hotspot wearable/implantable energy‐harvesting technique suitable for powering WIEs are reviewed. Then, electrodes for comfortable attachment and efficient delivery of electrical signals to targeted tissue/organ are introduced and compared. A few promising application directions of ES are discussed, including heart stimulation, nerve modulation, skin regeneration, muscle activation, and assistance to other therapeutic modalities.