Preprint · Nov 21, 2025

Subdermal Insertable Sensors: Characteristics and Applications

By Zhu H, Du L, Liu X et al.

Continuous monitoring of chronic diseases with mobile health tools is rapidly advancing to improve patient care. Wearable sensors placed on or near the skin remain the dominant paradigm for collecting physiological data noninvasively during activities of daily living. However, wearable sensors have their limitations. Epidermal sensors are fundamentally limited by the information barrier that the skin presents. Furthermore, environmental factors impact stability and longevity of wearables. An alternative technology is the expanding class of minimallyinvasive subdermal sensors, also called insertables. Characteristics of insertable sensors are reviewed, emphasizing state-of-theart approaches for achieving biocompatibility, remote powering, and wireless data transmission from their location under the skin. Next, key applications for subdermal sensors are analyzed, including three current clinical devices: insertable cardiac monitors, insertable continuous glucose monitors, and sub-scalp epilepsy monitors. Finally, future directions for material and system innovations, addressing challenges such as fibrotic encapsulation and energy efficiency, are explored to suggest potential next-generation subdermal biosensors that address unmet needs in chronic disease monitoring.

doi.org/10.22541/au.176376449.93603809/v1Open accessInterventions