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https://www.medgadget.com/2021/10/wearable-non-invasive-sensor-measures-glucose-in-sweat.html

Conn Hastings, PhD writing for Penn State University

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Scientists at Penn State University developed a wearable glucose monitor that can non-invasively measure glucose levels within sweat in real time. The low-cost sensor consists of laser-induced graphene and a nickel-gold alloy that can detect the very low levels of glucose in sweat without the use of enzymes. 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 least for now.

A pain-free alternative would involve exploiting a freely excreted body fluid that also contains glucose. This could provide a non-invasive alternative to blood glucose testing. The fluid is sweat, and while technology to reliably measure the tiny levels of glucose present in it is still not commercially available, researchers are hoping to change this.

The Penn State research group is confident that the tiny levels of glucose found in sweat can provide a meaningful correlation with the amount found in the blood, and have designed a device to measure sweat glucose levels. The technology involves drawing sweat into a microfluidic chamber, where glucose reacts with an alkaline solution to form a compound that can react with a nickel-gold alloy present in the device. This reaction causes an electrical signal that can indicate the amount of glucose present in the sweat.

The device has numerous advantages over another sensor type, that requires enzymes to detect glucose. "An enzymatic sensor has to be kept at a certain temperature and pH, and the enzyme can't be stored in the long term," said Huanyu Cheng, a researcher involved in the study, in a press release. "A nonenzymatic glucose sensor, on the other hand, is advantageous in terms of stable performance and glucose sensitivity regardless of these changes."

At only the size of a quarter, the device is unobtrusive. So far, the researchers have tested it with some volunteers, and found that it could successfully track changes in blood glucose before and after a meal.

"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," said Cheng. "This glucose sensor serves as a foundational example to show that we can improve the detection of biomarkers in sweat at extremely low concentrations."

See a video of someone wearing the sensor below:

Study in journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics: Laser-induced graphene non-enzymatic glucose sensors for on-body measurements

Via: Penn State

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Wearable, Non-Invasive Sensor Measures Glucose in Sweat

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Scientists at Penn State University developed a wearable glucose monitor that can non-invasively measure glucose levels within sweat in real time. The low-cost sensor consists of laser-induced graphene and a nickel-gold alloy that can detect the very low levels of glucose in sweat without the use of enzymes.

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• Painless
• Noninvasive
• Good correlation with plasma glucose levels
• No need for specific storage conditions as with enzymatic sensors

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• Not wireless
• Need to connect to complex machine to read
• Glucose measurements not as exact as with blood glucose readings
• Potential skin irritation

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Hastings, C. (2021, October 15). Wearable, non-invasive sensor measures glucose in sweat. Medgadget. https://www.medgadget.com/2021/10/wearable-non-invasive-sensor-measures-glucose-in-sweat.html

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A research group from Penn State University has created a non-invasive measuring device that detects levels of glucose in sweat (Hastings, 2021). The small device, approximately one inch long, can be worn on the forearm and allows for sweat to interact with an alkaline solution that forms a reaction with an alloy within the device. An electrical signal then determines the glucose level of the sweat.

This device would eliminate the need for painful finger sticks, and is more convenient that other noninvasive measuring devices such as enzymatic sensors (Hasting, 2021). The device has performed well in testing and researchers have found good correlations between the glucose level detected in sweat and that detected with a blood sample. As work continues on this glucose monitor, researchers hope to gather more data to ensure accuracy of glucose measurement and ways to make the device more portable and ready for use in patients that require regular glucose monitoring (Hastings, 2021).

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Finger stick monitoring of glucose is a hassle for patients, and avoiding the pain this requires can contribute to patient noncompliance with recommended monitoring schedules. Other noninvasive measuring devices use enzymes to measure glucose, but these require being stored at a specific pH level and temperature, and there is also a limit on how long these enzymes can be stored. Removing these discomforts and barriers to regularly monitoring glucose levels can enhance patient compliance, lead to better patient outcomes, and help to avoid adverse events related to infrequent monitoring of glucose.

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Using my own Clifton Strengths of Intellection, Input, Learner, Individualization, and Empathy, I will assemble a team with complimentary strengths in order to facilitate successful implementation of this innovation.

Amelia, with strength in Adaptability, will be a great choice as we work to implement a new device into practice and she can help facilitate our transition to its use. Rose, who is a good Relator, can help the team to work well together and to understand the different points of view regarding this innovation and its implementation. Fernando brings the strength of Focus, and this is needed to make sure the entire team continues to stay centered on our task of how to implement this new innovation, as well as to help us keep in mind the great benefits of this new technology. Carter, whose strength is Communication, can help to ensure best communication both within the group working towards this goal but also in communicating to others outside the group about the importance of our innovation. Lastly, William has the Woo strength and will help to keep us all energized and excited about bringing this new innovation into our practice.