Nanocomposite hydrogel fibers in the field of diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

In the past few decades, many researchers have focused their research interests on nanocomposite hydrogel fibers (NHFs). These practitioners have developed and optimized techniques for preparing nanofiber membranes such as the template method, microfluidic spinning, electrospinning, wet spinning and three-dimensional printing (3D printing). NHFs have important applications in wearable monitoring, diagnosis and nursing due to their various excellent properties (such as high-water content, porous morphology, flexibility, braiding and rich active functional groups). In this paper, the latest progress of NHFs in pose monitoring, continuous monitoring of physiological indicators, diagnosis, wearables, nursing, drug delivery and dressings are reviewed. This paper also aims to review their key operational parameters, advantages and disadvantages of NHFs in the above fields, including sensitivity, working range and other special properties. Specifically, NHFs can be used for continuous monitoring of biological postures (such as gestures) or physiological indicators (such as blood sugar) in vitro and in vivo. NHFs also can be used for long-term monitoring of related indicators in the wearable field. NHFs can be used in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Finally, we look forward to the development prospects, challenges and opportunities of the next generation of NHFs. We confirm that the emergence of NHFs in the field of diagnosis and treatment has opened up a new vision for human health. Researchers have optimized the template method, microfluidic spinning, electrospinning, wet spinning and 3D printing.

Keywords

• nanocomposite
• hydrogel fibers
• diagnosis
• treatment
• postures monitoring
• physiological indicators monitoring
• nursing
• drug delivery