---
Microscopic Sensor Monitors Glucose Levels
Microscopic Sensor Monitors Glucose Levels -- Posted by Gumbo on 11-02-04 04:55
Microscopic Sensor Monitors Glucose Levels
Microscopic sensor under skin changes colors according to blood glucose
levels, no monitor required.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio have developed a fully
functional, minimally invasive microscopic sensor that can be placed just
under the skin and be seen with the naked eye for accurate, continuous
examination of glucose and other body-fluid levels with the help of simple
color changes.
Colors in the tiny sensor, which is smaller than a pencil tip, gradually
change from orange (low glucose levels) to green and then to dark blue as
levels increase.
A darker blue signifies the highest glucose level that can occur in
diabetics. "Many diabetics could greatly benefit from this technology,
freeing them from having to take samples from their fingers several times a
day to monitor blood sugar levels," Miklos Gratzl said, a Case Western
Reserve University biomedical engineer. "The monitor could also help doctors
with close monitoring of electrolytes, metabolites and other vital
biochemicals in the body, primarily those of critically ill patients."
The sensor is one to two millimeters long and 100 to 200 micrometers wide.
Colors in the tiny sensor, which is smaller than the tip of a pencil,
gradually change from orange (low glucose levels) to green and then to dark
blue as levels increase. A deep, darker blue signifies the highest glucose
level that can occur in diabetics. The device penetrates the skin easily and
painlessly so users may insert or reinsert it themselves for several days of
operation.
It can be monitored by eyesight and by electronic telemetry using a watch
like device worn by the person for data processing. Sensing itself does not
require a battery, or the collection of blood samples, and needs very little
energy if a witch like signal processor is used. With no wires across the
skin, there is no deterioration of the skin surface or other areas inside
the skin and no danger of track infection. The device also is advantageous
because no electrical currents are going through the body.
Gratzl says lab testing and in vivo testing of the sensor in laboratory
animals has been going well. He also reports the sliver sensor could be
ready for human testing within six months. Gratzl says the sensor could be
ready for human testing in six months.
"So far, the sensor is performing beyond expectation in preliminary
laboratory tests," Gratzl said. "Over the years, there has been a lack of
good, quality devices for diabetics to monitor glucose - something they must
do every day of their lives - devices that are reliable, relatively low-cost
and minimally invasive." Press release, October 18, 2004 Case Western
Reserve University
Re: Microscopic Sensor Monitors Glucose Levels -- Posted by Harvey R. Stone on 11-02-04 06:08
Really good news and I would like to have it today. Someone just became
wealthy.
Harv
"Gumbo" wrote in message
news:cm804k$mif$0@pita.alt.net...
> Microscopic Sensor Monitors Glucose Levels
>
>
> Microscopic sensor under skin changes colors according to blood glucose
> levels, no monitor required.
>
> Scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio have developed a
> fully
> functional, minimally invasive microscopic sensor that can be placed just
> under the skin and be seen with the naked eye for accurate, continuous
> examination of glucose and other body-fluid levels with the help of simple
> color changes.
>
> Colors in the tiny sensor, which is smaller than a pencil tip, gradually
> change from orange (low glucose levels) to green and then to dark blue as
> levels increase.
>
> A darker blue signifies the highest glucose level that can occur in
> diabetics. "Many diabetics could greatly benefit from this technology,
> freeing them from having to take samples from their fingers several times
> a
> day to monitor blood sugar levels," Miklos Gratzl said, a Case Western
> Reserve University biomedical engineer. "The monitor could also help
> doctors
> with close monitoring of electrolytes, metabolites and other vital
> biochemicals in the body, primarily those of critically ill patients."
>
> The sensor is one to two millimeters long and 100 to 200 micrometers wide.
> Colors in the tiny sensor, which is smaller than the tip of a pencil,
> gradually change from orange (low glucose levels) to green and then to
> dark
> blue as levels increase. A deep, darker blue signifies the highest glucose
> level that can occur in diabetics. The device penetrates the skin easily
> and
> painlessly so users may insert or reinsert it themselves for several days
> of
> operation.
>
> It can be monitored by eyesight and by electronic telemetry using a watch
> like device worn by the person for data processing. Sensing itself does
> not
> require a battery, or the collection of blood samples, and needs very
> little
> energy if a witch like signal processor is used. With no wires across the
> skin, there is no deterioration of the skin surface or other areas inside
> the skin and no danger of track infection. The device also is advantageous
> because no electrical currents are going through the body.
>
> Gratzl says lab testing and in vivo testing of the sensor in laboratory
> animals has been going well. He also reports the sliver sensor could be
> ready for human testing within six months. Gratzl says the sensor could be
> ready for human testing in six months.
>
> "So far, the sensor is performing beyond expectation in preliminary
> laboratory tests," Gratzl said. "Over the years, there has been a lack of
> good, quality devices for diabetics to monitor glucose - something they
> must
> do every day of their lives - devices that are reliable, relatively
> low-cost
> and minimally invasive." Press release, October 18, 2004 Case Western
> Reserve University
>
>
Related
Discussion:
What's So Tough About Taking Insulin? Addressing the Problem of Psychological Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes (1 posts)
by Gumbo - Last post on: 11-14-04 19:47
What's So Tough About Taking Insulin? Addressing the Problem of
Psychological Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes
Originally Published:20040701.
Patients with type 2 diabetes are often reluctant to begin insulin and, in
many cases, delay the start of insulin therapy for quite lengthy per... (Read More)
Best tea (3 posts)
by Lego Kocke - Last post on: 10-17-04 12:40
http://www.megamedic.info/
... (Read More)
[A] USDA Nutrition Database SR-17 (1 posts)
by Elvis - Last post on: 04-19-05 11:40
http://www.nutritiondatabase.us
... (Read More)
The safety of caffeine and ephedrine use as a weight loss agent revisited (7 posts)
by Sweet Zombie Jesus! - Last post on: 07-17-05 10:47
Since passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of
1994, the sale of herbal dietary supplements containing caffeine and
ephedrine for weight loss has become widespread in the United States.
Reports of adverse events associated with the use of these
non-prescription supplements h... (Read More)
Top
Discussions From Our Archives
Caremark
Taking control of your life
World Medicine - An Apprenticeship Training
New Possible Neuropathy Drug
Sleep and diabetes
Other
Discussion Categories
Diabetes Symptoms
| 
