Scientists have created a portable blood glucose measure for diabetics which uses microwaves instead of pricking the skin.
Currently, diabetics have to test their blood several times a day or use inserted devices known as continuous blood glucose monitors (CGMs).
But a new monitor created by Cardiff University's School of Engineering can be discreetly stuck on to the skin.
Prof Adrian Porch said: "It will help with the management of the condition."
He added: "Conventional methods of monitoring blood glucose require the extraction of blood.
"Our device is non-invasive - it does not require the extraction of blood apart from the initial calibration."
Prof Porch said the monitor, developed with Dr Heungjae Choi, can be stuck on to the arm or side of the body using an adhesive.
It also has a longer shelf-life because it is not chemical in its action.
The data it collects can then be monitored continuously on a computer or mobile app.
And while the idea of sticking a microwave emitter to someone's body may sound disconcerting, Prof Porch said it s entirely safe.
"It uses microwaves, but the levels are very, very low. Nowhere near the levels used in domestic cooking.
"Think about a mobile phone, we're about a thousand times less than that level."
Prof Stephen Luzio, of Swansea University's College of Medicine, carries out clinical research into diabetes and has overseen trials on about 50 patients using the device - with more planned this summer.
He said: "Patients are very keen on this. One of the big problems with patients measuring their glucose is they don't like pricking their finger, so there's a lot of interest."
People with diabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels.
There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, with an estimated 549,000 more who have the condition, but do not know it.
The 10% who have Type 1 diabetes have to monitor their blood glucose level more regularly - up to six times a day, or 20,000 times over a decade.
Cardiff University's diabetes monitor project started in 2008 and has since received £1m in funding from health improvement charity Wellcome Trust.
The team said the product is potentially five years away from reaching the market, subject to further investment.
BBC NEWS.
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patliputra
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I've just received news that there is a non-invasive CGM that has just made it to the market and it's called "FreeStyle Libre Reader" [by Abbott]. It's being sold for 159 British pounds. So, Patliputra, there's no need to wait for the microwave gadget to come on the market. The great advantage is that one can get a glucose reading with a quick, painless scan, without pricking one's finger.
The FreeStyle Libre reader harnesses advanced sensor-based technology to read glucose data, then instantly displays the data in a meaningful, user-friendly way.
It has the following features:
[1] Compact and lightweight - Easy to hold and carry around
[2] Provides easy to read graphs - Offers easy-to-understand graphs with a quick summary of glucose history.
[3] Backlit colour touchscreen - Enhances the user experience, can be read in the dark.
[4] Stores 90 days of glucose data - Provides a complete glucose picture over 3 months.
I also can't access the video too. But I'll try to access it via another pathway and if I succeed, I'll let you know. As this new-fangled product is still relatively new on the market, it may take a while to reach other parts of the world. If it is indeed from Abbotts, then one can be sure of a reliable product.
There was a previous product called Glucowatch - this was worn like a watch but it didn't succeed and was withdrawn as there are technical issues and expensive to maintain. Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) is working with Dexcom on a wearable contact lens that can also do non-invasive CGM and the first version is expected to be launched in two to three years, with a follow-up product to come out within five yearssoon. Elsewhere, there are two competitors one called Glucowise and the other Glucosense. The former looks very promising and originate from UK and its expected launch in sometime in 2016. The latter is a joint venture of University of Leeds and NetScientific, both from Britain. News of a launch date for the latter has not been announced to date.
There are two NICGM that made it to the market a while ago - one from Korea and the other from Russia. It's difficult to get news about the Korean one owing to language barrier. But the other one called Omelon, priced between USD 170-300, has received mixed reviews. It is a "twin device" for measuring both BG non-invasively, and heart pressure. It can be ordered online. I think the Abbotts one is better, and with a little patience, one can soon find it - yes, looking for us instead of the other way round!!
The point to make is that it is not just about the issue of invasive pin-pricks (type 1s may disagree about this) but rather the great many benefits that can be derived thru' its use. Research studies have found again and again that, even with the invasive CGM currently available, diabetics have scored clear plusses through better BG control and management of the disease.
I think It will provide a very valuable tool for those who are keen to find which foods will trigger a spike, have little or no effect or even a fall in BG. Each person's biochemistry and constitution is different and naturepaths have pointed out before that diabetics may be "allergic" to certain foods without being aware of it and that those allergic foods may well underlie their diabetic condition. Hence it should regarded more as an instructive, educational device rather than one aimed at avoiding pain from multiple pin pricks.
Last but not least, since one can see the BG readings displayed round the clock, it can help us to make knoweledge-based and guilt-free decisions on whether it is "safe" to relish some irresistible cheese cake, chomp down a piece of pizza, a bowl of fruit salad, or munch a chocolate chip cookie, savory curry puff, or just sipping a heavenly cup of latte, cappucino, frapuccino, expresso...
Oh yes it did. I was thinking about doing a similar post earlier, so it is good to see that the same subject is being discussed here. I've been interested in NICGM and tracking their development for a number of years.
RE Libre - many people are ordering Libre online. While the initial cost is OK at £150 (2 sensors + 1 reader), one has to replace the sensors every two weeks. So, one will need 2 sensors every month, but spending £100 (2 x £48.29) is rather steep. It reminds me of the expensive PC printer ink cartridges that one needs to buy to replace the spent ones.
China, India, Taiwan, etc. are likely to compete with them eventually and produce cheaper clones of this NICGM. Perhaps the soon-to-be-launched Glucowise or the microwave device you wrote about is worth waiting for.
RE the page you couldn't access. I checked it out and discovered that one has to be subscribed to that website before being allowed to browse the site and watch the explanatory video posted there. Sorry for the wrong lead.
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