NonInvasive Device Monitors People with Diabetes

A new laser sensor that monitors blood glucose levels without penetrating the skin could transform the lives of millions of people living with diabetes.

Currently, many people with diabetes need to measure their blood glucose levels by pricking their fingers, squeezing drops of blood onto test strips, and processing the results with portable glucometers, but the process can be uncomfortable, messy and often has to be repeated several times every day.

The new technology developed by team at the University of Leeds (UK) uses a small device with low-powered lasers to measure blood glucose levels without penetrating the skin and could give people a simpler, pain-free alternative to finger pricking. The technology has continuous monitoring capabilities making it ideal for development as a wearable device. This could help improve the lives of millions of people by enabling them to constantly monitor their glucose levels without the need for an implant.

At the heart of the new technology is a piece of nano-engineered silica glass with ions that fluoresce in infrared light when a low power laser light hits them. When the glass is in contact with the users' skin, the extent of fluorescence signal varies in relation to the concentration of glucose in their blood. The device measures the length of time the fluorescence lasts for and uses that to calculate the glucose level in a person's bloodstream without the need for a needle. This process takes less than 30 seconds.

The technology is licensed to Glucosense Diagnostics Ltd, (London, UK), a spin-out company jointly formed and funded by the University of Leeds and NetScientific plc (London, UK), a biomedical and healthcare technology group specializing in commercializing transformative technologies from leading universities and research institutes.

Peter J. Grant, MBChB, MD, FRCP, FESC, a professor of medicine and consultant diabetes specialist, said, “Non-invasive monitoring will be particularly valuable in young people with Type 1 diabetes. Within this group, those who are attempting very tight control such as young women going through pregnancy or people who are experiencing recurrent hypoglycemia could find this technology very useful.”

Related Links:
University of Leeds
Glucosense Diagnostics Ltd. 
NetScientific plc