Indian Express: Scientists are developing an electrochemical sensor device that has the potential to measure blood sugar levels from tears instead of blood, an advance that could save millions of diabetes patients from painful pricking tests. In a report that appeared in ACS’ journal Analytical Chemistry, researcher Mark Meyerhoff and colleagues explained that about 5 percent of the world’s population have diabetes. The disease is a fast-growing public health problem because of a sharp global increase in obesity, which makes people susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.People with diabetes must monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day to make sure they are within a safe range. Current handheld glucose meters require a drop of blood, which patients draw by pricking their fingers with a small pin or lancet. However, some patients regard that pinprick as painful enough to discourage regular testing. So, Meyerhoff’s team is working to develop the new, pain-free device that can use tear glucose levels as an accurate reflection of blood sugar levels. Soon, device to measure blood sugar levels from tears - Indian Express
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Soon, device to measure blood sugar levels from tears
Indian Express: Scientists are developing an electrochemical sensor device that has the potential to measure blood sugar levels from tears instead of blood, an advance that could save millions of diabetes patients from painful pricking tests. In a report that appeared in ACS’ journal Analytical Chemistry, researcher Mark Meyerhoff and colleagues explained that about 5 percent of the world’s population have diabetes. The disease is a fast-growing public health problem because of a sharp global increase in obesity, which makes people susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.People with diabetes must monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day to make sure they are within a safe range. Current handheld glucose meters require a drop of blood, which patients draw by pricking their fingers with a small pin or lancet. However, some patients regard that pinprick as painful enough to discourage regular testing. So, Meyerhoff’s team is working to develop the new, pain-free device that can use tear glucose levels as an accurate reflection of blood sugar levels. Soon, device to measure blood sugar levels from tears - Indian Express