A new glove with electromagnetic sensors can measure blood sugar levels as accurately as traditional blood tests. The results will be transmitted to a smartphone in the future to warn diabetics of changes early on. Currently, diabetics have to prick their fingers multiple times a day to check their blood sugar levels. The medical field has been searching for new methods to make this unpleasant and repetitive procedure unnecessary. One of the solutions developed is a contact lens that measures blood sugar concentration, but none of the possible solutions are market-ready yet.
Scientists at the American University of Beirut have presented another non-invasive approach to determine blood sugar levels. The team led by biomedical engineer Jessica Hanna uses a combination of flexible sensors that can be integrated into clothing to continuously monitor changes in blood sugar levels. According to Hanna, “the sensors are more accurate and faster than previous devices.” The researchers have built a prototype glove with a forearm band that contains flexible antennas to demonstrate their development. These antennas emit electromagnetic waves that penetrate the skin, muscles, and fat layer to scan the underlying veins and arteries. The blood sugar level is determined by the concentration of the blood, which affects its electrical properties.
Although this measuring method is not new, electromagnetic sensors have not been used for blood sugar measurement because the results were too inaccurate. The researchers changed the course of the antennas to run directly like the veins in the forearm and hand surface, significantly increasing the accuracy of the results compared to previous attempts. In a clinical study with 21 healthy subjects, the new system analyzed blood sugar levels in real-time. This was confirmed by traditional sugar loading tests conducted in parallel with electromagnetic blood sugar measurement. Further studies will investigate whether the sensors can also provide accurate results in socks, necklaces, or other clothing items.
The system will be used in conjunction with a smartphone in practice, which will notify users of changes in blood sugar levels and record them for doctors. The release date of the system is currently unknown.
