Recent Advances in Wearable Transdermal Delivery Systems

Abstract

Wearable transdermal delivery systems have recently received tremendous attention due to their noninvasive, convenient, and prolonged administration of pharmacological agents. Here, the material prospects, fabrication processes, and drug-release mechanisms of these types of therapeutic delivery systems are critically reviewed. The latest progress in the development of multifunctional wearable devices capable of closed-loop sensation and drug delivery is also discussed. This survey reveals that wearable transdermal delivery has already made an impact in diverse healthcare applications, while several grand challenges remain.

Significance of Nanomaterials in Wearables: A Review on Wearable Actuators and Sensors

“…[14] Such kind of responding approach is significant in wearable technologies since it is capable of converting "passive" wearables into "active" or "smart" wearables. [16] In textile industry, the development of e-textiles and smart fabrics [11,14,15] has broaden the applications of wearable actuators whereas heating elements embedded in wearables, [12,[17][18][19][20] nanocomposite-based therapeutic devices, [21,22] artificial muscles and muscular actuators, [10,[23][24][25][26] rehabilitation devices, [27,28] and wearable drug delivery systems [29,30] have also contributed to the development of wearable actuators. They are still emerging as promising candidates in wearable actuators as current trends on smart wearables, smart clothing, and the performance enhancing fabrics can accelerate their presence in future market.…”

“…When it comes to textiles and other wearable applications, actuators are described as a type of devices that exert mechanical movement, noise, or substance release upon receiving an electronic signal. [30,46,47] With the development of new composites, the range of applications is broadening and hence can make an interesting impact on wearable electronics.…”

“…They are still emerging as promising candidates in wearable actuators as current trends on smart wearables, smart clothing, and the performance enhancing fabrics can accelerate their presence in future market. [16] In textile industry, the development of e-textiles and smart fabrics [11,14,15] has broaden the applications of wearable actuators whereas heating elements embedded in wearables, [12,[17][18][19][20] nanocomposite-based therapeutic devices, [21,22] artificial muscles and muscular actuators, [10,[23][24][25][26] rehabilitation devices, [27,28] and wearable drug delivery systems [29,30] have also contributed to the development of wearable actuators. A detailed description on applications in various industries will be presented in a following section.…”

“…The development of smart fabrics [15] has opened up some interesting applications for wearable actuators including wearable heaters, [18,19,44] therapeutic devices, [21,22] artificial muscles, [10,25,26] and wearable drug delivery devices. [30,46,47]…”

“…Fabric like drug delivery systems, wearable patch like drug careers, or small-scale device like drug delivery systems are emerging as an alternative to traditional drug delivery methods. [30] Generally, four triggering mechanisms are used in drug delivery applications, [30] as in mechanically stimulated, electrically stimulated, light or thermally stimulated, and bio stimulated. Here, we will not explore bio-stimulated drug delivery systems since they are not in our scope.…”