December 1st, 2005
Implanted Tech: Under Skin Glucose Monitor is Painless and Acccurate
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
For the millions of people who struggle with diabetes, the finger prick method of monitoring glucose levels may be accurate, but it is also literally a pain. Some time ago we covered a glucose monitoring wristwatch from a company called Glucon, but today’s there’s news of a simple under the skin implant that does the work without the pain and with far more accuracy than the Glucon ultrasound technology. We Say: You still need some sort of monitoring device, but implant technology is getting really sophisticated and this is proof of some of the things to come our way in the coming years.
Developed by Craig A. Grimes, professor of electrical engineering and materials science and engineering at Penn State, the glucose biosensor, when placed under the skin, could provide glucose levels for diabetics without a finger prick. Diabetics must monitor the levels of glucose in their blood and adjust insulin injections to maintain normal levels and avoid the complications of the disease. The device, which measures about a centimeter by half a centimeter and is about the depth of a thin hair, is composed of an I-shaped backbone crossed by a series of 10 slightly decreasing bars. The shape vaguely resembles a miniature harp.
The backbone and crossbars are made of a magnetorestrictive metallic glass – a material that changes shape with application of a magnetic field and generates a magnetic field when it changes shape – coated with a polymer that reacts to changes in acidity. This coating is then topped with glucose oxidase, the enzyme that reacts with glucose. The acid sensitive coating makes the device swell or shrink, changing mass depending on the surrounding acidity. The acid that causes the changes comes from the reaction of glucose with glucose oxidase, which produces gluconic acid.
When a magnetic field from the outside is placed near the sensor, the sensor vibrates at a frequency dependent on the mass of the sensor. A magnetic coil can read the magnetic flux of the sensor and determine the amount of glucose in the blood. Source: Eureka Alert
Thank you Michael Tate
David Johnston says:
That’s a great invention for people with diabetes. Very cool.
September 28th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Oldster says:
All the current flap about the “pain” of a finger stick amazes me. I am a Type 2 diabetic and measure my glucose levels 3 or 4 times a day. Believe me the pain is not exactly excruciating in spite of the TV ads that at least imply extreme agony from the stick. That said, this does look a lot more convenient and you needn’t carry your kit with you with one of these implants, assuming it works well and long term. Not having to tote along your kit seems the biggest advantage to me.
December 1st, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Chuck Perino says:
Oldster, I am with you. I have been type 1 for 21 years and I test my blood sugar 10+ times daily. It is not a painful experience, you get used to it. I get irritated by all the comfort products being developed…how about spending some money develop something that will really make a difference?
If they could develop this implant to do real-time, 24/7 monitoring via a wristwatch or something, that would be a wonderful thing.
December 1st, 2005 at 1:48 pm
Stephen says:
Well Chuck,
It is a painful experience but since you’ve gotten used to it you just don’t notice it. Sounds like you’re more “pained” that newbies may not have to go through what you have had to go through the last 21 years. the real benefit to this is that it does away with having to put a drop of blood on a test strip and then insert in a machine…kinda barbaric when you think about it. Easy, quick testing will help those who should be monitoring their blood sugar on a frequent basis but don’t. that’s the real benefit.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:27 pm
Chuck Perino says:
Actually I am “pained” that companies spend so much R&D dollars creating minor conveniences instead of using that money for research where it may actually do some good.
My diabetes experience hasn’t included pain at all FYI, I accept what I need to do to stay healthy and I do it.
If you were to prick your finger you would see that the amount of blood neccessary is EXTREMELY small, in addition it is done quickly 5 seconds with my machine.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Oldster says:
Couldn’t agree more with you Chuck. I also have a daughter who is Type 1 and she laughs at the current crop of “Oh! It’s so painful” ads.
Stephen, I’m not sure from your post whether you are diabetic or not, but, if you are having trouble with the stick, have you tried adjusting the depth of puncture? Your lancet should be adjustable from “not quite sticking you” to “going to the bone”.You only need a very small puncture. Another thing you might want to look at is the gauge of your lancet. Get the smallest gauge you can find—at least 28 gauge. (The bigger the number the smaller the diameter of lancet.) Although I have never done it you can also get a sample from the inside of your forearm where there are fewer nerve endings. I’ve never found that necessary though.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:52 pm
Andy says:
I’m a type 1 diabetic, and test 10-15 times a day, plus take 5-6 shots a day.
Here’s what would make a difference:
1. Execute the health insurance agents that get several-hundred-dollar bonuses for every diabetic that they convince not to stay with that company, or that they kill (diabetics cost them money.) I have 8 recorded calls of health insurance agents from 3 companies over 6 years screaming that I HAD TO follow certain instructions, or they would have me fired (or some similar threat) - each of the 8 sets of instructions would have been fatal. This is very deliberate.
2. A cure (almost as nice for me as #1)
3. A way for me to sleep more than hours at a time without having my blood sugar skyrocket after 5 hours (i.e., make Lantus Insulin affordable to people w/o insurance.)
4. A continuous glucose monitoring system.
Andy Out!
December 1st, 2005 at 4:45 pm
John House says:
For people who do seem to have a lot of pain with testing, make sure you use a new lancet each time. They get dull in a HURRY and tear the skin and then hook the skin on the way out making a real tear in the skin with increased pain levels.
John
December 1st, 2005 at 8:10 pm
Deb says:
I’m not diabetic - but my cat is. And the way to check a cat’s blood sugar level is to prick either his ear or his paw-pad. My 15 lb. cat has indicated with his teeth and claws that this hurts and he wants no part of it even once (in his life) let alone 10 times a day
. A device like this would be GREAT. What is a convenience to some could be a life-saver for others.
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:18 am
Elsa says:
I have a medical condition that makes me abhor the sight of blood, even a tiny drop, on myself or on others. I either pass out, throw up (which is sometimes worse), or both. Due to it, I was unable to self-monitor my glucose levels for many years until Medisense put out its Sof-Tact monitor. Unfortunately, they have now stopped producing that model and, worse even, no longer make the necessary test strips.
Now I need an alternative. I am going nuts over this problem. So, as you can see, it’s not just a little pin prick that is at stake here, but seeing and handling that tiny drop of blood. Just writing about it makes me nauseous!
I use insulin (140 units daily of Lantus, because I cannot use any other due to an allergy to glycerin) and I don’t mind the shots… much. It would be nicer to not have to inject myself, but as long as no blood is involved, I am fine. Don’t make fun or begrudge the R&D cash invested in what might tomorrow save my life — and the lives of many others like me!
Thanks!
January 9th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Alice says:
My father is the same way. He has actually passed out at the sight of blood.
January 9th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
glucosamine says:
Implant technology is getting really sophisticated and this is proof of some of the things to come our way in the coming years.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:05 am
Dating says:
good work
February 9th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
John Doe says:
I think this is an awesome invention. I’ve had type 1 for as long as I can remember (a long time) and even though there is no pain involved in the finger prick, it would be much nicer to just have constant results so all you have to do is look at the implant. The whole process of checking your blood sometimes just gets annoying, so it would be nice just to look at a dial then have to check it manually.
July 10th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
john says:
Blogs are becoming one of the most important source in order to share views and outlooks what you have done to make yout thing outrageously successful.I like the concept has been given there.
http://www.herbalessenceonline.com
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:35 am
Katie says:
Ok, who cares if this isn’t necessary? It would help people, wouldn’t it? That’s all that should matter. Who likes to carry around a testing kit? Not me. And I have to miss, like, 20 minutes of class every day to go to the office and check my sugar. And it would be extremely convenient to not have to wake up at 3:00 AM to check my sugar, also. And this could help whenever you don’t realize that your sugar’s low.
Come on, it’s not like checking your sugar hurts THAT much, but it’s a burden nonetheless.
I’ve had diabetes for 4 years, since I was 10, and my fingers are so callused that I have trouble even using them for checks anymore.
By the way, if any teenagers with MySpace read this, add me. I’d love to talk to you about this.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Bill Mclaren says:
I’ve been a very brittle diabetic for 36 yrs.-4 shots/day & 4+tests - finally got onto Lantus & Novorapid-I use a Medijector(10 yrs.)-needles got expensive !! I don’t mind the pricking but could sure use continuous monitoring-have had hundreds of lows-Thanx to my wife I’m still here !!!!No complications yet either !! I’m anxiously waiting !! I’m only 61 & hope for a few more years of fun !!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 9:09 am