Scientists from the University of California , San Diego , have developed and test a tinystick - on temporary tattoothat painlessly extract glucose and monitors its degree in the body . It works by softly pull glucose from between cells to the surface of the skin where it can then be value by in - built sensors . Not only is the widget non - invasive and discreet , it ’s passing cheap — costing just a few cents — and works just as well as the dreaded digit putz exam .
Although it ’s just at a validation - of - conception stage , it ’s hoped that one day it could be used to substitute terrible daily rakehell sampling , and could even be adapted to prove other medically significant molecules or deliver medicines .
Diabetes affectshundreds of millions of the great unwashed worldwideand despite many advances in both modern medicine and our sympathy of the disease , it stay one of the lead campaign of deaths globally . to effectively handle the condition and prevent its colligate problems , patients must oft supervise their line glucose storey which demand painful line try from the finger tip . For obvious reasons , many patients are reluctant to do this , lead in poor management of the disease . The ontogeny of painless , non - invading monitoring techniques is therefore extremely desirable .
More than a tenner ago , significant progress was made towards this end with the innovation ofGlucoWatch : a wristband that worked bysucking up glucosetowards the aerofoil of skin where it was find by built - in sensors . To do this , asmall electric currentwas give that make sodium ions from the fluid between skin cells — which also carry glucose — to transmigrate towards the twist . The glucose then entersgel filled discswithin the vigil that carry an enzyme , glucose oxidase , which breaks down glucose into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen . The amount of hydrogen hydrogen peroxide is then value and act as aproxyfor glucose levels .
Unfortunately , this picket was discontinued because users have discomfort from the electrical current . But now , a new twist has been designed ground on the principles of GlucoWatch , and it overcomes the tegument irritation problem by using a much lower electric current to attract the sodium ion .
As described inAnalytical Chemistry , the esthetically pleasing gadget comprises midget electrode printed onto temporary tattoo paper , which can then be adhered to a drug user ’s skin . Each compromising gadget survive for around a day , and once again senses glucose levels using glucose oxidase . The tattoo was tested out on seven volunteers between the ages of 20 and 40 with no story of diabetes . During initial trials , none of the participants reported feeling any uncomfortableness , although some account prickle for a few seconds .
UCSD / Jacobs School of Engineering
To investigate whether it could successfully pick up changes in glucose levels , Tennessean were given acarb rich mealconsisting of a sandwich and a can of soda . Sure enough , the gimmick was witness to foot up glucose spindle just as well as traditional monitoring method acting .
At this stage , the validation - of - concept tattoo ca n’t provide a numeric readout that would be ask to monitor a diabetic ’s glucose tier ; however , the researchers are crop towards developing aBluetooth instrumentthat would be able to charge this info either to the patient ’s Dr. or to another gimmick .
[ ViaAnalytical Chemistry , UCSD , GizmodoandScience Alert ]
