Blood glucose control with tiny sensor

Millions of people with diabetes face discomfort with frequent blood tests. So scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany are developing a non-invasive, portable device to measure blood glucose levels. Instead of taking blood samples, the device can continuously measure glucose levels with fluids of other tissues such as sweat or tears.

Actually each device has similar features but their size is too large, consumes a lot of energy but is not accurate. According to Gizmag, the new sensor measures only 0.5 x 2mm and consumes less than 100 microamaps. Chip devices integrate a nanopotentiostat measure the concentration of H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peoxide) and other chemicals - results from the electrochemical reaction takes place with the help of the enzyme glucose oxidase called.

Through these chemicals the device will calculate the blood glucose level. It also incorporates a digital converter and then transmits it to the receiver, which can be a cell phone. In this way a device can be worn on the body for months to keep checking.

The Netherlands-based biomedical company NovoSense BV is also designing a low cost, low-cost biometric sensor that can be mass-produced. In the near future, the blood glucose test can go into the past.