Researchers have developed a small, touch-based sensor that may detect the extent of lithium in an individual’s physique utilizing their sweat. The gadget may give out leads to lower than 30 seconds and doesn’t require a go to a clinic. The proper stage of lithium within the physique may also help in controlling the signs of psychological wellbeing points together with bipolar dysfunction and melancholy. Updates on the lithium stage within the physique enable well being care suppliers to maintain a observe of whether or not a affected person has been taking the treatment as prescribed or not. [1]

Figure 1. Sensor to Track Medication Intake in 30 Seconds using Sweat Developed

Figure 1 shows the presently available methods of keeping a track of medication are invasive and have their own drawbacks. While blood tests offer a picture of the progress of medication, the process is invasive and time-consuming. Pill counters, on the other hand, can’t assure the measure of actual medication intake. However, with this new device, researchers attempt to address this limitation using sweat.

The results of the device’s performance were presented at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The electrochemical sensing device uses a water-based gel containing glycerol to detect charged particles of lithium in the sweat which usually is present in minute amounts. [2]

Though it is probably not seen, the human physique continually produces sweat, typically solely in very small quantities,” stated Shuyu Lin, PhD, a postgraduate pupil researcher who co-presented the work with graduate pupil Jialun Zhu.

The gel created a managed setting for the digital portion of the sensor. To entice the lithium ions after they handed by means of the gel, the researchers used an ion-selective electrode. The accumulating ions generate a distinction in electrical potential in contrast with a reference electrode.This distinction was then used to determine the focus of lithium current in sweat. [3]

The device has already been tested on people, including one person on a lithium treatment regimen. The researchers recorded this person's lithium levels before and after taking the medication. The results showed that the measurement fell were close to those derived from saliva, which prior research has shown to accurately measure lithium levels.

Though the sensor is still in the preliminary testing phase, the researchers aim to incorporate it into a larger, yet-to-be-designed system that provides visual feedback to the provider or the patient. [4]

References:

1. https://www.pehalnews.in/this-sensor-tracks-your-medication-intake-using-your-sweat-details/2347779/
2. https://tech.india-samachar.in/science/sensor-to-track-medication-intake-in-30-seconds-using-sweat-developed-details/
3. https://insurancebix.com/2022/08/sensor-to-track-medication-intake-in-30-seconds-using-sweat-developed-details/
4. https://gadgets360.com/science/news/sensor-tracks-lithium-level-using-sweat-medication-intake-monitoring-3276140

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Sensor to Track Medication Intake in 30 Seconds using Sweat Developed, AnaTechMaz, pp.287