New Method Uses Laser to Measure Blood Glucose
Researchers have developed a method to measure blood sugar levels with a laser system, according to a recent study.
According to a new study, the laser device—developed by researchers at Princeton University—was 84% accurate in reading a diabetic patient’s blood sugar level within 20% of the actual level—the range of accuracy required in standard glucose monitors.
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For the study, researchers gave 3 healthy individuals 20 jellybeans (known to raise blood sugar) and measured the participants' blood sugar before and after they ate them. They repeated the process and collected measurements over a duration of several weeks.
Blood sugar levels were measured by directing a specialized laser at participants' palms. After passing through the skin, the laser is absorbed by the sugar molecules in the body. Using the amount of absorption, researchers are able to calculate the levels of blood sugar.
The results showed that the laser measurements met clinical requirements in terms of accuracy, but yielded larger errors than the typical blood sugar evaluators.
If researchers could find a way to minimize the laser into a portable size, the new method would allow diabetic patients the option of not pricking themselves to test their blood.
“This summer, we are working to get the system on a mobile platform to take it places such as clinics to get more measurements,” said Sabbir Liakat the study’s lead author and graduate student at Princeton University.
The complete study is published in the June issue of Biomedical Optics Express.
-Michelle Canales
Reference:
Princeton University. Laser Device May End Pin Pricks, Improve Quality of Life For Diabetics. August 21, 2014. www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=13390. Accessed August 22, 2014.