Diabetics could be saved from pricking their fingers daily by a new tattoo that detects their blood sugar levels.
The new tattoo could replace finger-pricking as the best test for blood sugar levels
The new sensing system is being developed by chemical engineers at MIT, who suggest it could also offer more accurate readings.
The tattoo consists of nanoparticles which are designed to detect glucose and are injected below the skin.
A device similar to a wristwatch would be worn over the tattoo, displaying the patient's glucose levels.
Michael Strano, an associate professor at MIT, said: "Diabetes is an enormous problem, global in scope, and despite decades of engineering advances, our ability to accurately measure glucose in the human body still remains quite primitive.
"It is a life-and-death issue for a growing number of people."
Bruce Buckingham, a professor of pediatric endocrinology at the Stanford School of Medicine, says glucose monitoring is moving towards sensors.
There are similar devices available already, though none is as accurate as a finger-prick and they still need to be calibrated with blood once a day, a process that involves pricking the finger.
"As time goes on, the devices to do this should become smaller, easier to wear, and more accurate," said Professor Buckingham.
Unlike these existing sensors, which can only be used for seven days at a time, the new device would last for about six months before being refreshed.
Professor Strano, along with Professor Paul Barone of MIT, now need to ensure their sensor is accurate, as even small errors in glucose detection can be fatal for diabetics.
While human trials are still years away, the engineers are hoping to start testing their device on animals soon.
The new tattoo could replace finger-pricking as the best test for blood sugar levels
The new sensing system is being developed by chemical engineers at MIT, who suggest it could also offer more accurate readings.
The tattoo consists of nanoparticles which are designed to detect glucose and are injected below the skin.
A device similar to a wristwatch would be worn over the tattoo, displaying the patient's glucose levels.
Michael Strano, an associate professor at MIT, said: "Diabetes is an enormous problem, global in scope, and despite decades of engineering advances, our ability to accurately measure glucose in the human body still remains quite primitive.
"It is a life-and-death issue for a growing number of people."
Bruce Buckingham, a professor of pediatric endocrinology at the Stanford School of Medicine, says glucose monitoring is moving towards sensors.
There are similar devices available already, though none is as accurate as a finger-prick and they still need to be calibrated with blood once a day, a process that involves pricking the finger.
"As time goes on, the devices to do this should become smaller, easier to wear, and more accurate," said Professor Buckingham.
Unlike these existing sensors, which can only be used for seven days at a time, the new device would last for about six months before being refreshed.
Professor Strano, along with Professor Paul Barone of MIT, now need to ensure their sensor is accurate, as even small errors in glucose detection can be fatal for diabetics.
While human trials are still years away, the engineers are hoping to start testing their device on animals soon.
