Med-X最新文献

Mental disorders disturb the cognition, emotion, and behavior of a diverse patient population, and can reduce their quality of life and even cause death. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, challenges remain in achieving objective understanding, accurate assessment, and timely intervention for personalized conditions. Here, we review the recent development of intelligent sensing devices and systems for advancing the diagnosing, monitoring, and managing of mental disorders, with a special emphasis on personalized mental healthcare. We first introduce the mechanisms and clinical symptoms of mental disorders and related diagnostic principles. Then, we discuss the working principle and application of wearable sensors and systems to track various physiological parameters and markers for long-term monitoring, early screening, and treatment evaluation. Furthermore, we highlight recent emerging advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital health and give perspectives on their integration with sensing technologies to address the emergent challenges of personalized mental healthcare. We believe innovative intelligent sensing technologies may significantly improve the patient's quality of life, enhance the efficiency and robustness of current healthcare systems, and reduce the socioeconomic burden for mental disorders and other diseases.

The ability of liquid metals (LMs) to recover from repeated stretching and deformation is a particularly attractive attribute for soft bioelectronics. In addition to their high electrical and thermal conductivity, LMs can be actuated, potentially enabling highly durable electro-mechanical and microfluidics systems for applications such as cooling, drug delivery, or reconfigurable electronics. In particular, continuous electrowetting (CEW) phenomena can actuate liquid metal at relatively low voltage and affordable power requirements for wearable systems (~ < 10 V, ~ 10 - 100 µW) by inducing a surface tension gradient across the LM. However, sustaining LM actuation remains challenging due to factors such as electrolyte depletion, polarity changes in multi-electrode systems, and limitations related to LM composition. Here, we demonstrate LM actuation in a circular conduit for prolonged durations of at least nine hours. We enabled sustained actuation by sequentially applying short, direct current (DC) pulses through a multi-electrode system based on the dynamics of LM actuation. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrated the ability of LM to transport electrically conducting, non-conducting, and magnetic materials within a microchannel and show the liquid metal actuation system can be potentially miniaturized to the size of a wearable device. We envision that with further miniaturization of the device architectures, our CEW platform can enable future integration of low-voltage electro-mechanical systems into a broad range of wearable form factors.

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Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44258-025-00052-8.

Swallowing impairments, such as dysphagia, pose significant health risks, including aspiration pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations like infants and the elderly. Traditional diagnostic methods like videofluoroscopy and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing have limitations, including radiation exposure and discomfort. This study explores the potential of photoacoustic imaging as a non-invasive alternative for detecting swallowing events. Utilizing a 10 mg/mL charcoal solution as a contrast agent, we conducted both ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments using pig models. The ex-vivo tests on pig cadavers validated the system's ability in detecting charcoal flow in the airway. Subsequent in-vivo experiments on live pigs, conducted with synchronized videofluoroscopy, demonstrated photoacoustic's potential in seeing the same structure as videofluoroscopy. Our preliminary investigation indicates that photoacoustic imaging could offer a safer, more accurate method for dysphagia assessment, particularly in pediatric settings.

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Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44258-025-00062-6.

In contemporary medical technologies, the necessity for efficient, precise, and real-time health monitoring and management is becoming increasingly critical with the prevalence of chronic diseases and the aging population. Traditional wired sensors and active wireless sensors continue to present numerous problems in practical applications, including complex structures, substantial size, frequent battery replacements, and an elevated risk of infection. Passive and wireless inductor-capacitor (LC) sensors are emerging as significant candidates to address these challenges. These sensors are typically constructed with a simple structure comprising a capacitor and an inductor, operating through magnetic coupling with external reading devices, thereby eliminating the necessity for batteries, connection wires, and peripheral circuits. This review commences with a succinct overview of the theoretical foundations, analyzing equivalent components and operational modes. It subsequently investigates sensor technologies by examining various types of sensors, including pressure, strain, humidity, temperature, and chemical sensors. Through the introduction of two primary scenarios-wearable and implantable-the review elucidates diverse advancements and requirements pertinent to biomedical applications. It concludes with a discussion of challenges and potential solutions to facilitate future developments in this field.

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Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are essential in transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain, and their impairment has been linked to glaucoma and various neuro-ophthalmic diseases. In vivo imaging of RGC morphology and functionality is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of retinal disease caused by RGC degeneration and their responses to treatments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of optical technologies suitable for in vivo RGC imaging. First, we compare scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, and two-photon imaging and discuss their effectiveness in quantifying RGC damage in retinal disorders. Then, we discuss how functional vascular imaging techniques and specialized fluorophores, such as capQ and GCaMP, can be exploited to provide deeper insights into the physiology of RGCs. Lastly, we highlight the clinical translation of these imaging modalities, emphasizing handheld devices and clinical workflows to improve the image acquisition process. We also highlight the emerging role of machine learning, which automates tasks such as segmentation and disease classification to improve the efficiency of large data analysis.

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This perspective derives from the presentations and discussions on mechanobiology at the 2025 Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Conference in San Diego. Mechanobiological processes play critical roles in tissue development, regeneration, and disease progression. Recent advances in engineering, biology, and medicine have enabled the translation of mechanobiology discoveries into clinical practice, giving rise to the emerging field of mechanomedicine. The development and application of engineering technology and tools have provided new insights into how mechanical cues regulate immune cell response, stem cell differentiation, cell migration, and cell metabolism. In this perspective, we highlight exciting discoveries and innovative tools in mechanobiology research, and discuss challenges that must be overcome to truly bridge the gap between mechanobiology and mechanomedicine.

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Light-field imaging is an emerging paradigm in biomedical optics, offering the unique ability to capture volumetric information in a single snapshot by encoding both the spatial and angular components of light. Unlike conventional three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities that rely on mechanical or optical scanning, light-field imaging enables high-speed volumetric acquisition, making it particularly well-suited for capturing rapid biological dynamics. This review outlines the theoretical foundations of light-field imaging and surveys its core implementations across microscopy, mesoscopy, and endoscopy. Special attention is given to the fundamental trade-offs between imaging speed, spatial resolution, and depth of field, as well as recent advances that address these limitations through compressive sensing, deep learning, and meta-optics. By positioning light-field imaging within the broader landscape of biomedical imaging technologies, we highlight its unique strengths, existing challenges, and future potential as a scalable and versatile tool for biological discovery and clinical applications.

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Advancements in optoelectronic biointerfaces have revolutionized healthcare by enabling targeted stimulation and monitoring of cells, tissues, and organs. Photostimulation, a key application, offers precise control over biological processes, surpassing traditional modulation methods with increased spatial resolution and reduced invasiveness. This perspective highlights three approaches in non-genetic optoelectronic photostimulation: nanostructured phototransducers for cellular stimulation, micropatterned photoelectrode arrays for tissue stimulation, and thin-film flexible photoelectrodes for multiscale stimulation. Nanostructured phototransducers provide localized stimulation at the cellular or subcellular level, facilitating cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. Micropatterned photoelectrode arrays offer precise tissue stimulation, critical for targeted therapeutic interventions. Thin-film flexible photoelectrodes combine flexibility and biocompatibility for scalable medical applications. Beyond neuromodulation, optoelectronic biointerfaces hold promise in cardiology, oncology, wound healing, and endocrine and respiratory therapies. Future directions include integrating these devices with advanced imaging and feedback systems, developing wireless and biocompatible devices for long-term use, and creating multifunctional devices that combine photostimulation with other therapies. The integration of light and electronics through these biointerfaces paves the way for innovative, less invasive, and more accurate medical treatments, promising a transformative impact on patient care across various medical fields.