Technological and patent landscape of biosensors for leukemia detection: Evolution, maturity, and future prospects

The growing demand for rapid, sensitive, and accessible diagnostic tools for early leukemia detection has driven the advancement of biosensors, particularly those based on electrochemical principles. These devices stand out for their low cost, portability, and integration into point-of-care systems, making them attractive alternatives to conventional diagnostic methods. However, doubts remain about their technological maturity and long-term prospects. This study evaluated the evolution and technological life cycle of biosensors for leukemia detection through an integrated bibliometric and patentometric analysis. A total of 1278 scientific articles indexed in Scopus and 4756 patent families retrieved from Orbit Intelligence between 2004 and 2024 were analyzed. Of these, 2332 granted and in-force patent families were considered for technological maturity and forecasting analyses. Bibliometric mapping was performed using VOSviewer, while patent classification followed International Patent Classification codes. Logistic S-curve models (Loglet Lab 4) and Yoon's parameters were applied to estimate maturity levels and future projections. Results reveal sustained growth in publications and patents, indicating that biosensors entered an early maturity stage in 2025, with projected technological and market relevance until approximately 2050. Among detection techniques employed in electrochemical biosensors, cyclic voltammetry accounts for the largest projected number of publications and patents, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows the longest technological longevity. Differential pulse voltammetry, although less represented, remains a complementary technique. In conclusion, biosensors represent a consolidating technology with strong potential to transform leukemia diagnostics. Patentometric analysis provides strategic intelligence to guide innovation policies, strengthen intellectual property management, and support technology transfer in this developing area. • Biosensors enable the early and highly accurate detection of leukemia. • Electrochemical biosensors are one of the most widely used types of biosensors for the detection of leukemia. • Top electrochemical methods for leukemia detection: cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and EIS, in practice. • The S-curve model indicated that the electrochemical biosensor technology has reached the earlier maturity step.