Advances in wearable electronics for monitoring human organs: Bridging external and internal health assessments

  • Vo Thi Nhat Linh
  • , Seunghun Han
  • , Eunhye Koh
  • , Sumin Kim
  • , Ho Sang Jung*
  • , Jahyun Koo*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Devices used for diagnosing disease are often large, expensive, and require operation by trained professionals, which can result in delayed diagnosis and missed opportunities for timely treatment. However, wearable devices are being recognized as a new approach to overcoming these difficulties, as they are small, affordable, and easy to use. Recent advancements in wearable technology have made monitoring information possible from the surface of organs like the skin and eyes, enabling accurate diagnosis of the user's internal status. In this review, we categorize the body's organs into external (e.g., eyes, oral cavity, neck, and skin) and internal (e.g., heart, brain, lung, stomach, and bladder) organ systems and introduce recent developments in the materials and designs of wearable electronics, including electrochemical and electrophysiological sensors applied to each organ system. Further, we explore recent innovations in wearable electronics for monitoring of deep internal organs, such as the heart, brain, and nervous system, using ultrasound, electrical impedance tomography, and temporal interference stimulation. The review also addresses the current challenges in wearable technology and explores future directions to enhance the effectiveness and applicability of these devices in medical diagnostics. This paper establishes a framework for correlating the design and functionality of wearable electronics with the physiological characteristics and requirements of various organ systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number122865
JournalBiomaterials
Volume314
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025 Mar

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Disease diagnosis
  • Health monitoring
  • Human organs
  • Wearable electronics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

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