journal article·2026-02Open access

A Wearable System Featuring Biomimetic Spatially Distributed Iontronic Sensing Array for Dynamic Monitoring of Deep Tissue Modulus

Zhenning Wang, Chaohua Fang, Ruoyu Sun, Chenghao Feng, Xiaoyuan Wang, Hao Bi, Yidan Wu, Jiangdong Gong, Yuyang Wang, Jiahao Guo, Yu Chang, Huizhi Wang, Tingrui Pan

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 8

Abstract

Abstract Assessing soft tissue hardness is critical for disease diagnosis and motion monitoring. However, existing technologies are confined to skin‐level and quasi‐static measurements, leaving the dynamic behavior of deeper tissues, such as muscle, inaccessible. This study introduces a wearable system that enables dynamic monitoring of Young's modulus in multilayer tissues containing deep muscle (DMYD). Inspired by the spatial encoding strategy of human mechanoreceptors, DMYD integrates spatially distributed, high‐resolution, low‐detection‐limit iontronic sensing arrays with a load sensor to continuously capture the contact radius and contact force between a hemispherical indenter and the tissue, allowing real‐time and accurate modulus estimation based on Hertz contact theory. A simulation‐informed indentation strategy optimizes the accuracy of measurements in deep, multilayer tissues while minimizing wearing discomfort. In vitro experiments demonstrate that DMYD achieves high accuracy (>93%), supports dynamic operation, and remains robust to signal drift, sweat, and mechanical fatigue. In postoperative patients, its measurements correlate strongly with clinical edema indicators, while in healthy users, it tracks task‐dependent muscle hardness dynamics during rest, loaded elbow flexion, rope skipping, and stretching. Collectively, these results highlight DMYD as a promising platform for personalized and home‐based disease management, performance evaluation, injury‐risk warning, and training strategy optimization.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics · Muscle activation and electromyography studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P. R. China

Center for Intelligent Medical Equipment and Devices, Institute for Innovative Medical Devices, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research University of Science and Technology of China Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 P. R. China

Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200080 P. R. China

National Center for Materials and Service Safety University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing 100083 P. R. China

Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center (BSIC), Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China

Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation University of Science and Technology of China Anhui Hefei 230026 P. R. China

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

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