‘Breathalyzer’ For Diabetes? New Needle-FreeTest
MeasuresYour Blood Glucose Levels
Researchers from
Western New England University,
Springfield
MA
have developed a breathalyzer for diabetics that accurately meas-
ures blood-glucose levels without the needle. The hand-held device
is made up of “multilayer technology using nanometer-thick films
consisting of two polymers that react with acetone.” Acetone, the
ketone that remains when body fat is spent, combines with the poly-
mers, which in turn, changes the physical chemistry of the film. Blood
glucose levels are determined by the amount of acetone that interacts
with the polymers. Clinical trials starting in 2014 will compare results
and patient experience with finger pricks and blood tests.
Development of laser-printed biosensor for cancer
screening garners $370K grant
Researchers at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC; South-
ampton, England) are working to develop laser-printed biosensors that
can be used to detect biomarkers in cancer patients and monitor re-
sponse to their chemotherapy treatment. The grant from the EPSRC
is to explore whether laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) printing
of biological materials can be used to develop the sensor device on
paper.
...Continued
Sensor100 November News 2013
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