Wearable biosensors application

The recent developments of the wireless implantable and wearable biosensors for POC applications enable dedicated patient health management. The future trends for POC biosensors outline the need for smaller and flexible integrated systems, new biocompatible materials applicable for different applications, new packaging techniques, energy-efficient wireless systems, improved antenna designs, and efficient wireless power transfer and energy-harvesting techniques. 

As mentioned in the previous section, to integrate biosensors into the POC concept, portable, practical, fast, and sensitive biosensor systems must be developed. In this manner, microfluidic analytical platforms and LOCs are two systems that suit this approach. Systems like wearable biosensors and microarrays will not be discussed in this chapter Instead, application of medical electrochemical biosensors to LOC platforms will be discussed. 

One major interesting application of Biosensor has been the development of a wearable artificial pancreas and the studies associated with development. This devise has never reached the market stage even if several scientists addressed the problem and demonstrated the possibility to resolve it. In 1976 Clemens et al incorporated an electrochemical glucose biosensor in a bedside artificial pancreas . It was later marketed by Miles (Elkhart) as the Biostator Glucose-Controlled Insulin Infusion System (60 Kg, 42 x 46 x 46 cm) (Rg. 1). 

To get an insight into the technical details involved in wearable tattoos, patches, and other biosensors, in the remainder of this chapter we will first briefly address the mechartisms underlying various detection methods. Following that will be a discussion about the fabrication methods available so far, from the most basic to the highly integrated. The applications of this subclass of WBSs in general health, disease control, and sports are presented. We will end with concluding remarks and future perspectives. 

Recent progresses in micro- and nanotechnology have led to the design of implantable, swallowable, wearable, or portable wireless biosensors to continuously monitor and detect important physiological parameters. The miniaturization and integration of biosensors, readout circuits, embedded microcontrollers, and wireless transceivers on a single chip have opened the way for new possibilities in medical applications. 

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