Abstract
AbstractAs solid‐state light sources based on amorphous organic semiconductors, organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are widely used in modern smartphone displays and TVs. Due to the dramatic improvements in stability, efficiency, and brightness achieved over the last three decades, OLEDs have also become attractive light sources for compact and “imperceptible” biomedical devices that use light to probe, image, manipulate, or treat biological matter. The inherent mechanical flexibility of OLEDs and their compatibility with a wide range of substrates and geometries are of particular benefit in this context. Here, recent progress in the development and use of OLEDs for biomedical applications is reviewed. The specific requirements that this poses are described and compared to the current state of the art, in particular in terms of the brightness, patterning, stability, and encapsulation of OLEDs. Examples from several main areas are then discussed in some detail: on‐chip sensing and integration with microfluidics, wearable devices for optical monitoring, therapeutic devices, and the emerging use in neuroscience for targeted photostimulation via optogenetics. The review closes with a brief outlook on future avenues to scale the manufacturing of OLED‐based devices for biomedical use.
Highlights
As solid-state light sources based on amorphous organic semiconductors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are widely used in modern smartphone displays and TVs
Especially in the field of optical sensing, require narrower emission spectra than what is offered by conventional OLED emitter materials—an aspect that we will discuss in more detail in Section 3.1 when reviewing lab-on-chip OLED applications
OLEDs have a number of unique characteristics that render them highly relevant for biomedical applications
Summary
As solid-state light sources based on amorphous organic semiconductors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are widely used in modern smartphone displays and TVs. Due to the dramatic improvements in stability, efficiency, and brightness achieved over the last three decades, OLEDs have become attractive light sources for compact and “imperceptible” biomedical. The specific requirements that this demand for more compact devices that are biocompatible (potentially even bioresorbable and transient) and that for example can be implanted in animal models or worn by patients Such devices poses are described and compared to the current state of the art, in particular would allow continuous monitoring and in terms of the brightness, patterning, stability, and encapsulation of OLEDs. treatment, would enable the delivery of Examples from several main areas are discussed in some detail: onchip sensing and integration with microfluidics, wearable devices for optical monitoring, therapeutic devices, and the emerging use in neuroscience for targeted photostimulation via optogenetics.
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