Recent Advances in Wearable Healthcare Devices: From Material to Application

Bioengineering (Basel). 2024 Apr 6;11(4):358. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering11040358.

Abstract

In recent years, the proliferation of wearable healthcare devices has marked a revolutionary shift in the personal health monitoring and management paradigm. These devices, ranging from fitness trackers to advanced biosensors, have not only made healthcare more accessible, but have also transformed the way individuals engage with their health data. By continuously monitoring health signs, from physical-based to biochemical-based such as heart rate and blood glucose levels, wearable technology offers insights into human health, enabling a proactive rather than a reactive approach to healthcare. This shift towards personalized health monitoring empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and medical care, potentially leading to the earlier detection of health issues and more tailored treatment plans. This review presents the fabrication methods of flexible wearable healthcare devices and their applications in medical care. The potential challenges and future prospectives are also discussed.

Keywords: flexible substrates; flexible wearable devices; healthcare monitor; self-healing materials; vital signal.

Publication types

  • Review