Next-Generation Biomedical Devices

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B:Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 3324

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
Interests: wearable devices; implantable devices; flexible/stretchable electronics; bioelectronic systems

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea
Interests: mobile health care; wearable device; optofluidics; biomedical image processing; machine learning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Micromachines, titled “Next-Generation Biomedical Devices,” aims to highlight pioneering research in wearable and implantable devices, flexible and stretchable electronics, and bioelectronic systems that represent the next frontier in biomedical engineering. As healthcare increasingly shifts toward personalized, real-time monitoring and therapeutic solutions, there is a critical need for technologies that can conform to the human body, integrate seamlessly with biological tissues, and operate reliably in dynamic, real-world environments. We welcome contributions presenting novel materials such as flexible polymers and stretchable composites; advanced fabrication techniques including micro/nano-scale manufacturing; innovative sensor and actuator architectures for biocompatible, low-power operation; and all aspects of bioelectronic systems research ranging from device design and integration to hardware-based functional validation in clinical or preclinical settings. Topics of interest include wearable and implantable bioelectronics with robust signal transduction, wireless communication, energy harvesting, implantable microsystems for physiological sensing and stimulation, device–tissue interfaces utilizing bioMEMS or printed electronics, and system-level integration strategies demonstrated in realistic or in vivo settings. By bringing together advances across materials science, electronic engineering, and biomedical applications, this Special Issue aligns with the scope of Micromachines, emphasizing the development and integration of next-generation biomedical devices.

Dr. Kyowon Kang
Dr. Hee-Jae Jeon
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • wearable devices
  • implantable devices
  • neuromorphic devices
  • organ-on-chip
  • biosensors
  • wireless communication
  • energy harvesting
  • low-power biomedical devices
  • bioelectronic integrated circuits
  • physiological sensing
  • physiological stimulation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2721 KB  
Article
A Portable Extended-Gate FET Integrated Sensing System with Low-Noise Current Readout for On-Site Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7
by Weilin Guo, Yanping Hu, Yunchao Cao, Hongbin Zhang and Hong Wang
Micromachines 2026, 17(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17020151 - 23 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 570
Abstract
Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors enable label-free and real-time electrical transduction; however, their practical deployment is often constrained by the need for bulky benchtop instrumentation to provide stable biasing, low-noise readout, and data processing. Here, we report a portable extended-gate FET (EG-FET) integrated sensing [...] Read more.
Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors enable label-free and real-time electrical transduction; however, their practical deployment is often constrained by the need for bulky benchtop instrumentation to provide stable biasing, low-noise readout, and data processing. Here, we report a portable extended-gate FET (EG-FET) integrated sensing system that consolidates the sensing interface, analog front-end conditioning, embedded acquisition/control, and user-side visualization into an end-to-end prototype suitable for on-site operation. The system couples a screen-printed Au extended-gate electrode to a MOSFET and employs a low-noise signal-conditioning chain with microcontroller-based digitization and real-time data streaming to a host graphical interface. As a proof-of-concept, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 was selected as the target. A bacteria-specific immunosensing interface was constructed on the Au extended gate via covalent immobilization of monoclonal antibodies. Measurements in buffered samples produced concentration-dependent current responses, and a linear calibration was experimentally validated over 104–1010 CFU/mL. In specificity evaluation against three common foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes), the sensor showed a maximum interference response of only 13% relative to the target signal (ΔI/ΔImax) with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Our work establishes a practical hardware–software architecture that mitigates reliance on benchtop instruments and provides a scalable route toward portable EG-FET sensing for rapid, point-of-need detection of foodborne pathogens and other biomarkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Biomedical Devices)
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11 pages, 3113 KB  
Article
Highly Sensitive Detection of Chymotrypsin Using Gold Nanoclusters with Peptide Sensors
by Siyuan Zhou, Cheng Liu, Haixia Shi and Li Gao
Micromachines 2026, 17(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17010107 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 571
Abstract
Pancreatic function tests are used to determine the presence of chronic pancreatitis, particularly in the early stage of the disease. Chymotrypsin is an indicator of pancreatic function and is thus related to pancreatic diseases. However, these methods often require specific equipment and cannot [...] Read more.
Pancreatic function tests are used to determine the presence of chronic pancreatitis, particularly in the early stage of the disease. Chymotrypsin is an indicator of pancreatic function and is thus related to pancreatic diseases. However, these methods often require specific equipment and cannot always meet on-site analysis requirements. Consequently, a highly sensitive detection method needs to be developed. This research employed graphene oxide modified with NHS sensors and peptides (RRHFFGC: Arginine-Arginine-Histidine-Phenylalanine-Phenylalanine-Glycine-Cysteine) tagged with gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) for the detection of chymotrypsin. The N-Hydroxysuccinimide-(Polyethylene Glycol)4-Dibenzocyclooctyne (NHS-PEG4-DBCO) and graphene oxide (GO)-N3 click reaction yielded GO-NHS material, appropriate for fluorescence quenching. The peptide chain was accurately broken with the introduction of chymotrypsin, and the Au NCs were situated far from the GO-NHS surface. The detection limit was 2.014 pg/mL. The results showed that the detection method had high sensitivity in comparison with the previous studies. This method is relevant to real samples due to its potential efficacy. Therefore, it is a promising method in the biomedical field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Biomedical Devices)
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15 pages, 2988 KB  
Article
Microhand Platform Equipped with Plate-Shaped End-Effectors Enables Precise Probing of Intracellular Structure Contribution to Whole-Cell Mechanical Properties
by Masahiro Kawakami, Masaru Kojima, Toshihiko Ogura, Atsushi Kubo, Tatsuo Arai and Shinji Sakai
Micromachines 2025, 16(11), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16111272 - 12 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Cellular mechanical properties are critical indicators of cellular state and promising disease biomarkers. This study introduces a novel microhand system, featuring chopstick-like plate-shaped end-effectors, designed for stable and high-precision single-cell mechanical characterization. First, we automated the force sensor calibration to overcome the inefficiency [...] Read more.
Cellular mechanical properties are critical indicators of cellular state and promising disease biomarkers. This study introduces a novel microhand system, featuring chopstick-like plate-shaped end-effectors, designed for stable and high-precision single-cell mechanical characterization. First, we automated the force sensor calibration to overcome the inefficiency and unreliability of conventional manual methods. To validate the system’s sensitivity, we precisely quantified the mechanical contributions of subcellular components, such as the actin cytoskeleton and chromatin, by measuring stiffness reductions after treatment with Cytochalasin D and Trichostatin A, respectively. Notably, when applied to a cellular model of Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, we successfully captured disease-induced mechanical alterations. A distinct population of high-stiffness cells was detected in progerin-overexpressing cells, a feature not observed in the control groups. Furthermore, by controlling the indentation speed and depth, the mechanical properties of the cytoplasm and nucleus could be distinctly evaluated. These results demonstrate that our microhand system is a highly sensitive and robust platform, capable of detecting subtle, disease-related changes and elucidating the contributions of specific subcellular structures to cell mechanics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Biomedical Devices)
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