Multifunctional Fibers to Shape Future Biomedical Devices

Fiber-based configurations are highly desirable for wearable and implantable biomedical devices due to their unique properties, such as ultra-flexibility, weavability, minimal invasiveness, and tissue adaptability. Recent developments have focused on the fabrication of fibrous devices with multiple biomedical functions, such as noninvasively or minimally invasively monitoring of physiological signals, delivering drugs, transplanting cells, and recording and stimulating nerves. In this Review, the recent progress of these multifunctional fiber-based devices in terms of their composite materials, fabrication techniques, structural designs, device-tissue interfaces, and biomedical applications is carefully described. The remaining challenges and future directions in this emerging and exciting research field are also highlighted.