The above image makes the need to find an alternative to the regular finger-prick method of testing blood glucose very clear. A new blood glucose sensor of the size of a rice grain is being developed which can be injected into the patient’s body and can monitor glucose levels all day long. This sensor, which is called Glucowizard, is injected into the wrist and it uses photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells are powered by a wristband, which send flashes of light through the skin. The Glucowizard works in the same way as conventional monitors to detect glucose levels. It has enzymes which react with blood and release electrons in proportion to the glucose contained in the blood. The chip senses the electrons and beams the data to the wristband where the sugar level in the blood is indicated. The chip is coated with an anti-inflammatory material which prevents the body’s immune system from attacking it. The chip will need to be replaced after this material is degraded-which is expected to be once a year.
This device, expected to be brought in the market by 2017, can be very helpful to detect problems which can be overlooked by conventional monitors because it can run full-time.
[popsci]