Researchers In Tokyo Working On New Fluorescent Implantable Glucose Monitor

A group of researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo have been hard at work trying to perfect a new blood glucose sensor that can be implanted and glows when the blood sugar changes. The sensor is designed for long-term in vivo glucose monitoring. The study on the sensor was published earlier this month.

The photo above is the researchers implanting the sensor into the ear of a bald test mouse. The photo in the gallery of the angry mouse shows the sensor in the mouse ear glowing in response to blood sugar. The new sensor is made of a glucose-responsive fluorescent hydrogel encapsulated in a fiber structure. The fiber is 1mm in diameter and is designed to be easily injected under the skin and removed with tweezers.

In testing on mice, the sensor was found to be accurate and stable for up to 140 days. The team is working on further calibration and testing of the sensor. The goal is to create a sensor that can be implanted of the long term for continuous glucose monitoring. I think many diabetics will agree that a sensor like this is much more appealing than sticking themselves with lancets several times a day.

[via Medgadget]