Flexible Photonic Devices for Implantable and Wearable Therapeutics

Light‐based therapeutic devices have become common in clinical settings, often appearing as familiar equipment plugged into the wall or placed beside patients’ beds. Recently, there has been a surge in ideas for developing implantable or wearable devices with functional capabilities. Advances in materials for photonic healthcare devices are driving much of this progress. However, the limited depth to which light can penetrate the body remains a significant challenge for their broader clinical use. In this review, we explore the fundamental principles and showcase examples of cutting‐edge implantable and wearable photonic healthcare devices for therapeutic purposes. We first discuss the role of emerging flexible photonic devices, which are essential for the development of next‐generation implantable and wearable devices, and the necessary steps for their clinical adoption. The review then examines implantable photonic healthcare devices, focusing on their properties and therapeutic applications. Next, we highlight several examples of non‐invasive, wearable photonic devices used across various anatomical areas. Finally, we outline future research directions for the field, with a particular emphasis on mobile healthcare and personalized medicine.