Researchers at Texas A&M University are breaking new ground in diabetes care with the development of an innovative glucose monitoring system.
This groundbreaking project, which has received support from a National Science Foundation grant, aims to create a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) as small as a grain of rice.
The device is set to revolutionize how people with diabetes manage their condition.
A Leap in Diabetes Management Technology
Over the past 50 years, glucose monitoring technology has evolved significantly. The initial glucose self-monitoring systems, which weighed three pounds and required a large blood sample, have paved the way for more user-friendly devices.
However, even with advancements, current CGMs can still be cumbersome and discouraging for users due to their maintenance requirements and invasive nature.
Design and Functionality of the Miniature CGM
The proposed CGM, led by Dr. Gerard Coté and his team, is designed to be minimally invasive and user-friendly.
Unlike conventional CGMs that have a needle in the skin connected to an arm patch, this tiny sensor is injected under the skin and analyzed using a watch-type device that emits light to determine glucose concentration.
This data can then be transmitted to a smartphone, allowing patients to share their glucose levels with healthcare providers easily.
Unique Features of the New CGM
Size and Injectability: The sensor’s grain-of-rice size and injectability set it apart from current models, including totally implantable CGMs which are larger and require surgical implantation.
Autofluorescence Technology: The sensor and wearable reader utilize a unique optical sensing technology, especially beneficial for individuals with darker skin tones.
The technology involves a fluorescent color that emits in the red and infrared range, offering better accuracy across various skin tones.
Thermoresponsive Membrane: Co-principal investigator Dr. Melissa Grunlan is focusing on encapsulating the sensor in a thermoresponsive hydrogel membrane.
This material helps prevent the body from rejecting the sensor and forming scar tissue, ensuring its long-term functionality.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Innovation
This project is the culmination of nearly two decades of collaborative research between Coté’s biosensing expertise and Grunlan’s biomaterial expertise.
Their combined skills and experience are crucial in developing this complex technology. The team’s prior research and preclinical studies have set a solid foundation for the success of this project.
The development of this rice-sized CGM represents a significant step forward in diabetes management. Its minimally invasive nature and advanced technology promise to enhance the quality of life for millions of people living with diabetes.
As the project progresses, it holds the potential to transform the landscape of glucose monitoring and diabetes care globally.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that eating more eggs is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and how to eat to reduce heart disease death risk if you have diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about high-protein diets linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing Mediterranean diet could help reduce the diabetes risk by one-third.
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