Biorasis Inc has developed a state-of-the-art implantable sensor that could replace the use of conventional finger-prick monitors for diabetics. The implantable sensor, which is rice grain-sized, is called Glucowizzard and could be injected into a patient's wrist to continuously monitor glucose levels for approximately a year. The Glucowizzard is solar powered.
Once the monitor is implanted in a patient's wrist a nurse would fit a wristband that powers the chip's photovoltaic cells by flashing light pulses through the skin. The chip works like conventional glucose monitors where an enzyme reacts with glucose in the blood and free electrons in proportion to sugar levels. The chip senses the electrons and beams data to the bracelet, which pings the user if sugar levels are raised to alert the patient. As the Glucowizzard runs continuously, it could detect problems that might be missed by current finger-prick monitors, which are typically used five times a day.
Image source: Biorasis Inc
The sensor would be replaced yearly based on the expected life span of an anti-inflammatory coating preventing the immune system from attacking the implant, and would mean less pain for diabetics.
There are about 30 million diabetic patients in the US and over 200 million globally. The potential benefit to human health of a device that allows for continuous glucose monitoring is enormous. Besides the associated pain, inconvenience and lack of patient compliance the current technology does not provide continuous monitoring which is necessary for corrective feedback and optimum glucose-level management to prevent hypo- and hyper-glycolic events as well as to minimize fluctuations in glucose levels that lead to the many debilitating complications associated with diabetes.
University of Connecticut researchers hope to start clinical trials in two years and have the device on sale by 2017.
Credit and Top image: Biorasis Inc
For more read : Energy Harvesting and Storage for Electronic Devices 2009-2019
