Aug 2026· Advanced Materials & Technologies· 0 citations· 113 references
TL;DR
Functionalized design is presented as an application‐backward, cross‐scale framework that links clinical needs and biomarker–matrix constraints with recognition chemistry, biointerfaces, functional materials, transduction architectures, calibration, data interpretation, manufacturability, and validation.
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensing technologies offer an important route toward continuous and body‐interfaced health monitoring, but their translational value cannot be judged by analytical sensitivity, miniaturization, or device integration alone. This Review presents functionalized design as an application‐backward, cross‐scale framework that links clinical needs and biomarker–matrix constraints with recognition chemistry, biointerfaces, functional materials, transduction architectures, calibration, data interpretation, manufacturability, and validation. We first define this framework and examine platform‐level opportunities and failure modes across wearable, minimally invasive transdermal, implantable, and complementary transistor‐based systems. We then discuss how biomarker class, matrix accessibility, temporal dynamics, and clinical role determine sensing requirements, before evaluating representative technologies across four task‐defined scenarios: longitudinal monitoring, early molecular detection and risk stratification, continuous sensing in difficult physiological environments, and diagnosis‐linked wound management. Finally, we assess data intelligence and translation with emphasis on data quality, model robustness, interpretability, technology readiness, manufacturing reproducibility, clinical utility, regulation, and deployment. By distinguishing proof‐of‐concept performance from evidence relevant to practical use, this review provides a design and assessment framework for advancing electrochemical biosensing toward reliable, clinically actionable healthcare systems.
In vivo biosensing technologies are revolutionizing how health and disease are monitored by enabling continuous, real-time measurement of biomarkers within the body. From the first enzymatic electrode biosensor developed to modern integrated sensing devices, progress in materials science, microelectronics, and bioengineering has expanded the scope of implantable sensors. Key requirements such as high analytical performance, long-term biocompatibility, safe energy supply, and reliable wireless communication must be met for successful clinical translation. Major application areas include metabolic monitoring (exemplified by continuous glucose monitors for diabetes), cardiovascular management, neural interfaces for brain activity, inflammatory disease tracking, oncology, transplant organ monitoring, bladder dysfunction management, and biomechanical strain sensing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of design strategies for in vivo biosensors, categorized into three implantation approaches: material-based implants, injectable microdevices, and surgical implants. We discuss the historical development, state-of-the-art examples, and design considerations for each strategy. A comparative analysis highlights their respective advantages and limitations. Finally, we examine the overarching challenges and future perspectives that will guide the next generation of implantable biosensing devices toward widespread clinical impact.
Smart wearable biosensors represent a significant paradigm shift from one-time sample analysis to real-time biochemical monitoring at the body interface. Besides the flexible design of the device or wireless readout, their clinical utility will also require the reliability of the entire sensing pathway under real physiological conditions. This pathway involves biofluid access to clinical interpretation. Despite rapid progress, many wearable biosensor platforms remain limited by weak biofluid–blood correlation, receptor degradation, biofouling, motion artefacts, sensor drift and insufficient patient-level validation. Thus, a chemistry-to-clinics approach is crucial to assess the analytical reliability and translational readiness of recognition elements, sensing materials, and engineered biointerfaces. Enzymes, antibodies, aptamers, nucleic-acid systems, molecularly imprinted polymers, and nanozymes are discussed within the context of selectivity, stability, antifouling behaviour and suitability for continuous monitoring of sweat, interstitial fluid, tears, wound exudate and breath condensate. The functionality of carbon nanostructures, metal-based nanomaterials, hydrogels, MXenes, metal–organic frameworks and self-powered interfaces are evaluated in terms of their applications in amplification, mechanical conformity, biofluid handling and signal stability. Artificial intelligence is positioned as a support layer for signal correction, calibration, classification, multimodal fusion and predictive interpretation, rather than as a substitute for robust sensing chemistry. This review provides a critical chemistry-to-clinical perspective on smart wearable biosensors and outlines the validation, manufacturing, cybersecurity, post-market surveillance and benchmarking requirements needed for their translation into reliable diagnostic and therapeutic-monitoring technologies.
Yachana Misha, Radheshyam Jena, Aman Shukla et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
This review examines how advances in materials engineering, micro/nanofabrication, and system integration have transformed wearable devices from single-parameter sensors into fully integrated, multimodal diagnostic systems and outlines key architectures and transduction mechanisms.
Oral diseases represent a major global health burden, underscoring the need for sensitive, accessible, and noninvasive diagnostic technologies. Electrochemical biosensing offers a powerful route for point‐of‐care oral health monitoring by translating biomolecular interactions in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and exhaled breath condensate into quantifiable electrical signals. This review systematically discusses electrochemical biosensing strategies for oral disease diagnosis, beginning with the structure and operating mechanisms of electrochemical sensors and then summarizing their applications in detecting disease‐related nucleic acids, proteins, pathogens, and other molecules. We further examine feasible strategies for early diagnosis, including signal amplification methods based on nanomaterials, enzyme catalysis, nucleic acid amplification, chemical deposition, and cascade integration, as well as antifouling interfaces designed to maintain stable sensing performance in complex oral biofluids. Particular attention is given to advanced transistor architectures, especially organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), which offer intrinsic signal amplification and high‐gain readout for low‐abundance biomarkers. Finally, we outline current challenges, future directions, and translational opportunities for electrochemical biosensing technologies, providing a roadmap toward precision dentistry and modern oral health management.
Xiaohong Jiang, Jintao Zheng, Huibin Ma et al.· Advanced Healthcare Material...· 0 citations
This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in flexible electrochemical sensors, with particular emphasis on nanomaterial engineering, device fabrication strategies, and biomedical applications, and examines current limitations.
The growing demand for rapid, decentralized, and continuous health monitoring is driving the development of point‐of‐care testing (POCT) and wearable biosensing technologies. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as a leading platform owing to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and compatibility with miniaturized systems. Among these, screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) offer distinct advantages, including low cost, scalable fabrication, and facile integration into portable devices. This mini‐review summarizes recent advances in SPE‐based electrochemical biosensors, focusing on fabrication strategies, surface modification approaches, and emerging biomedical applications. The incorporation of functional materials has significantly improved analytical performance, enabling sensitive and selective detection of diverse biomarkers—from small molecules and ions to hormones, proteins, and nucleic acids—in biofluids such as blood, sweat, and interstitial fluid (ISF). These developments have facilitated practical implementations in POCT and wearable systems. Current challenges and future perspectives are also discussed, including scalable manufacturing, long‐term operational stability, and system‐level integration. This review provides a concise overview of recent progress and highlights opportunities for advancing next‐generation portable and wearable biosensing platforms.
Zhiqi Li, Lu Zhang, Yuankai Chen et al.· Analysis & Sensing· 0 citations