The nanotube sensor monitors diabetic patients

Over the past few years, scientists have developed a variety of carbon nanotube products that have applications useful in monitoring human health, such as for toxicity monitoring or levels. important chemicals. But in order for this material to be useful, they must first be introduced into the human body without affecting the immune system.

>>> Extends opportunities for diabetics

MIT researchers have just released information that they have created sensors that can survive in the human body for up to a year. These are the first nanoscale sensors that can survive so long in the human body.

These sensors are made from tiny carbon nanotubes, just one atom thick. Carbon tubes can capture individual molecules so they will be great sensors. The researchers realized that when they combine nanotubes with different molecules, they can recognize special chemicals that are involved in human health.

The first sensor that scientists create can recognize nitric oxide , a chemical that is involved in the development of cancer. Using nanotubes to detect nitric oxide will give more information about the role of nitric oxide on health and cancer cells. Researchers are also interested in developing a sensor that can measure the amount of glucose in the body, which can be implanted into a diabetic patient and provides an automated sugar monitoring system as well. insulin of the patient.

Until now, researchers have tested their sensors on the skin of mice, where it lasted about 400 days. Because the human body usually excretes the intruder out through the skin, so the sensor is covered with an algae plastic gel to protect it from the body's immune system. Scientists hope that new carbon nanotube sensors could be used to monitor inflammation and implant on the bodies of people who tend to dispose of such devices.