Graphene has long been heralded as a miracle material. A layer of carbon just one atom thick, it has the potential for wide-ranging applications. One of these could be helping people monitor their blood sugar without using needles to collect blood samples or having a sensor embedded under their skin.

A team of researchers at Penn State have developed a wearable, non-invasive, low-cost device that can measure glucose levels in sweat on the skin's surface in a much less intrusive way, detailed in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. The main component of the device is laser-induced graphene (LIG). These are layers of graphene in various shapes that can be made in seconds. [1]

Figure 1. Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Wearable Device

Figure 1 shows the sensor contains a microfluidic chamber into which sweat is drawn, and then an alkaline solution reacts with the glucose in the sweat, causing a reaction in the alloy and a substantial electrical signal.

Measuring glucose levels is a pain, literally. From traditional finger stick tests to implantable monitors, there is an invasive element to the process. As patients with diabetes require frequent measurements of blood glucose levels, these invasive procedures are unavoidable, at a least for now. This could provide a non-invasive alternative to blood glucose testing. [3]

Testing and future plans

To demonstrate the achievement, the researchers used a skin-safe adhesive to attach the reusable device to a person’s arm one hour and three hours after a meal.

To produce an adequate level of sweat for measurement, the person also performed a brief workout. Upon analysing the collected sweat, it was found that the detected glucose concentration dropped from the first measurement to the next. The measurements from the device were verified by measurements made with a commercially available glucose monitor.

The research team further intends to improve upon the prototype for future applications, including addressing how the sensor can be used for incremental glucose measurements or continuous monitoring to determine treatments, such as administering insulin.

The team also wishes to refine and expand this platform for more comfortable monitoring of other biomarkers present in the sweat or interstitial fluids that fill the space between cells in the body.

“We want to work with physicians and other health care providers to see how we can apply this technology for daily monitoring of a patient,” Cheng said. “This glucose sensor serves as a foundational example to show that we can improve the detection of biomarkers in sweat at extremely low concentrations.” [2]

References:

1. https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/wearable-noninvasive-glucose-monitoring-device-removes-need-for-needles/
2. https://www.electronicsforu.com/news/whats-new/non-invasive-glucose-monitoring-wearable-device
3. https://www.medgadget.com/2021/10/wearable-non-invasive-sensor-measures-glucose-in-sweat.html

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Wearable Device, pp. 74