Device integration of electrochemical biosensors

Electrochemical biosensors incorporate a recognition element and an electronic transducer for the highly sensitive detection of analytes in body fluids. Importantly, they can provide rapid readouts and they can be integrated into portable, wearable and implantable devices for point-of-care diagnostics; for example, the personal glucose meter enables at-home assessment of blood glucose levels, greatly improving the management of diabetes. In this Review, we discuss the principles of electrochemical biosensing and the design of electrochemical biosensor devices for health monitoring and disease diagnostics, with a particular focus on device integration into wearable, portable and implantable systems. Finally, we outline the key engineering challenges that need to be addressed to improve sensing accuracy, enable multiplexing and one-step processes, and integrate electrochemical biosensing devices in digital health-care pathways. Electrochemical biosensors can be integrated into wearable, portable and implantable devices for health monitoring and disease diagnosis. This Review discusses the design and integration of different types of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of analytes related to health and disease, and outlines engineering challenges that need to be addressed to enable clinical translation of electrochemical biosensor-based point-of-care devices. Electrochemical biosensors are self-contained, analytical devices, in which a biological recognition element is in direct contact with an electrochemcial transduction element to allow the sensitive and specific detection of analytes. Depending on the design and sensor type, health-related and disease-related biomarkers, such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and cells, can be rapidly analysed in different body fluids, including blood, saliva and tears. Electrochemical biosensors, including amperometric, voltammetric, potentiometric, organic electrochemical transistor, photoelectrochemical and electrochemiluminescent sensors, can be integrated into wearable, portable and implantable devices to enable point-of-care diagnostics and health monitoring. Commercialization and broad point-of-care applicability of integrated electrochemical biosensors will require improvements in stability, sensitivity, reproducibility, multiplexing, and digitalization and, importantly, low-cost materials and easy fabrication methods. Electrochemical biosensors are self-contained, analytical devices, in which a biological recognition element is in direct contact with an electrochemcial transduction element to allow the sensitive and specific detection of analytes. Depending on the design and sensor type, health-related and disease-related biomarkers, such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and cells, can be rapidly analysed in different body fluids, including blood, saliva and tears. Electrochemical biosensors, including amperometric, voltammetric, potentiometric, organic electrochemical transistor, photoelectrochemical and electrochemiluminescent sensors, can be integrated into wearable, portable and implantable devices to enable point-of-care diagnostics and health monitoring. Commercialization and broad point-of-care applicability of integrated electrochemical biosensors will require improvements in stability, sensitivity, reproducibility, multiplexing, and digitalization and, importantly, low-cost materials and easy fabrication methods.