Device integration of electrochemical biosensors

Abstract

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.