Easy glucose monitoring for Diabetics

Canadian biomedical engineers have designed an electronic skin patch for quick and painless blood glucose testing for diabetics.

We all know that the current method where blood is drawn from fingertips can be painful, inconvenient and time-consuming.

The researchers, who have patented their device called the Electronic Mosquito, said the patch is approximately the size of a deck of cards. It uses four micro-needles that “bite” sequentially at programmed intervals. The needles are electronically controlled to penetrate the skin deep enough to draw blood from a capillary, but not deep enough to hit a nerve. That means patients would experience little or no pain.

Glucose Nano-monitor for Diabetics

A new technology is being developed that can constantly monitor a person’s blood sugar level and alert them when they need an insulin shot. Nanosensors, injected under the skin, would trigger a fluorescent response when exposed to an infrared light, and alert a patient if they need insulin.

The nanosensor technology could be used to measure other chemicals, such as sodium, which could be used to detect dehydration.

Sensing sodium: This cell glows red because it has been injected with nanosensors that fluoresce in the presence of sodium. Credit: Heather Clark, Draper

 

 

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