Contactless glucometer. Devices for measuring blood sugar without puncture. Economical model from Accu Chek


Draw your attention to!
The Glucowise instrument is a scientific development,
is NOT mass-produced and is NOT sold in any country in the world!
Be careful!

The British company MediWise, which has successfully implemented several innovative projects in the field of health, announced the creation of its own version of a non-invasive glucometer. The device, called Glucowise, will be more accurate than the analogues already presented, as it is supposed to examine blood at the capillary level.

The monitoring system consists of:

  • directly sensor Glucowise;
  • a special application on a smartphone;
  • Smart Cloud is a cloud server that allows you to store and organize the information received.

How does everything work?

The proposed technique makes it possible to measure the concentration of glucose without a single puncture and blood sampling. And the analysis will take a maximum of 10 seconds. The GlucoWise meter is similar to the Abbott system, but does not include consumables. The basis of the Glucowise system is a special sensor that passes high-frequency waves through a skin area with a well-developed network of capillaries (an earlobe or a skin fold between the thumb and forefinger is ideal). The opposite side of the device registers the received signals and compares their characteristics with the original radio waves. Based on the measurement made, the sugar level is calculated using a special algorithm.

To improve accuracy, the surface in contact with the skin is covered with non-composite films, which provide sufficient sensitivity of the epidermis to radio waves during analysis. As a result, the error will be minimal, regardless of age or skin type.



Immediately after the test is completed, the result is displayed on the Glucowise screen. In the future, information can be transferred to a smartphone or tablet for statistics and trend tracking (if there is a special mobile application).

The creators of Glucowise are planning to integrate the application with other mobile and online platforms used for self-monitoring of health.

The information collected by the meter can be uploaded directly to the Smart Cloud. It is enough to connect the bloodless analyzer to the computer via the USB interface.

Frequent glucose monitoring prevents unwanted effects and complications. Patients with diabetes should constantly measure indicators.

The modern arsenal of diagnostic methods includes non-invasive glucometers, which greatly facilitate research and take measurements without blood sampling.

Benefits of non-invasive diagnostics

The most common device for measuring sugar levels is injection (using blood sampling). With the development of technology, it has become possible to take measurements without piercing a finger, without injuring the skin.

Non-invasive glucometers are measuring devices that monitor glucose without drawing blood. There are various types of such devices on the market. All of them provide fast results and accurate readings. Non-invasive sugar measurement is based on the use of special technologies. Each manufacturer uses its own developments and methods.

The advantages of non-invasive diagnostics are as follows:

  • relieve a person from discomfort and contact with blood;
  • no expenses for consumables;
  • eliminates the ingress of infections through the wound;
  • no consequences after permanent punctures (corns, impaired blood circulation);
  • the procedure is completely painless.

Characteristics of popular glucometers

Each device differs in price, research methodology and manufacturer. The most popular models today are Omelon A-1, Symphony tCGM, Freestyle Libre Flash, GluSens, Gluco Track DF-F.

A popular model of a device that measures glucose and blood pressure. Sugar is measured using thermospectrometry.

The device is equipped with the functions of measuring glucose, pressure and pulse.

Works on the principle of a tonometer. The compression cuff (bracelet) is attached just above the elbow. A special sensor built into the device analyzes vascular tone, pulse wave and blood pressure. The data is processed, ready-made sugar indicators are displayed on the screen.

Important! For the results to be reliable, you need to relax and not talk before testing.

The design of the device is similar to a conventional tonometer. Its dimensions, excluding cuffs, are 170-102-55 mm. Weight - 0.5 kg. Has a liquid crystal display. The last measurement is automatically saved.

Reviews of the non-invasive glucometer Omelon A-1 are mostly positive - everyone likes the ease of use, the bonus of measuring blood pressure and the absence of punctures.

At first I used an ordinary glucometer, then my daughter bought Omelon A1. The device is very convenient for home use, quickly figured out how to use it. In addition to sugar, it also measures blood pressure and pulse. I compared the indicators with laboratory analysis - the difference was about 0.6 mmol.

Alexander Petrovich, 66 years old, Samara

I have a diabetic child. For us, frequent punctures are generally not suitable - the very sight of blood frightens, cries when pierced. We were advised Omelon. We use the whole family. The device is quite convenient, the discrepancies are minor. If necessary, we measure sugar using a conventional device.

Larisa, 32, Nizhny Novgorod

GlucoTrek is a device that determines blood sugar without piercing. Several types of measurement are used: thermal, electromagnetic, ultrasonic. With the help of three measurements, the manufacturer solves issues with inaccurate data.

The measurement process is quite simple - the user attaches a clip-on sensor to the earlobe.

The device looks like a modern mobile, has small dimensions and a clear display, which displays the results.

The kit includes the device itself, a connecting cable, three clip sensors, painted in different colors.

It is possible to synchronize with a PC. The clip sensor is changed twice a year. Once a month, the user must recalibrate. The manufacturer of the device is an Israeli company of the same name. The accuracy of the results is 93%.

Symphony is a device that reads data through transdermal diagnostics. Before installing the sensor, the surface is treated with a special liquid that removes the top layer of dead cells.

This is necessary to improve the thermal conductivity and reliability of the results. The process itself is painless, it resembles skin peeling.

After that, a special sensor is attached, which evaluates the state of the interstitial fluid. The study is carried out automatically every half an hour. The data is sent to the phone. The accuracy of the instrument is 95%.

FreestyleLibreFlash is a system for monitoring sugar in a not entirely non-invasive way, but without test strips and blood sampling. The device reads indicators from the interstitial fluid.

With the help of the mechanism, a special sensor is attached to the forearm area. Next, a reader is brought to it. After 5 seconds, the result is displayed on the screen - the glucose level and its fluctuations per day.

Each set includes a reader, two sensors and a device for their installation, a charger. The waterproof sensor is installed completely painlessly and, as you can read in consumer reviews, it is not felt on the body during the entire time.

You can get the result at any time - just bring the reader to the sensor. Sensor life is 14 days. Data is stored for 3 months. The user can store on a PC or electronic media.

I have been using Freestyle LibraFlash for about a year. Technically, it is very convenient and simple. All sensors worked out the stated period, even some a little more. I really liked the fact that you do not need to pierce your fingers to measure sugar. It is enough to fix the sensor for 2 weeks and read the indicators at any time. With normal sugars, the data differ by about 0.2 mmol / l, and with high sugars - by one. I heard that you can read the results from a smartphone. To do this, you need to install some kind of program. I will deal with this issue later.

Tamara, 36 years old, St. Petersburg

Freestyle Libre Flash sensor installation video:

GluSens

GluSens is the latest innovation in the field of sugar measuring instruments. Consists of a thin sensor and a reader. The analyzer is implanted into the fat layer. It interacts with the wireless receiver and transmits indicators to it. The service life of the sensor is one year.

When choosing a glucometer without test strips, you should pay attention to the following points:

  • ease of use (for the older generation);
  • price;
  • time of testing;
  • the presence of memory;
  • measurement method;
  • the presence or absence of an interface.

Non-invasive glucometers are a worthy replacement for traditional measuring devices. They control sugar without pricking a finger, without injuring the skin, and show results with little inaccuracy. With their help, diet and medication are adjusted. In case of dispute, you can use the usual device.

We recently published a note on the market launch of the first commercial non-invasive glucometer, which attracted a lot of attention from readers. The development of the Israeli allows you to control the level of sugar without the need to pierce a finger for blood sampling. The company's device, which resembles a regular pulse oximeter in appearance, uses an optical method to measure sugar levels by observing the color change of the user's finger.

But this is not the only contender for the king of the non-invasive blood sugar control market, and we decided to introduce you to other promising developments that are also close to commercialization to one degree or another.

Determination of sugar level by optical method

The non-invasive blood sugar monitor GlucoBeam, which uses Raman spectroscopy (Critical Depth Raman Spectroscopy) technology for measurements, is being developed by the Danish company RSP Systems. This device allows measurements of the concentration of substances in the interstitial fluid through the skin. Certain molecules, such as glucose, affect the specific wavelength laser beam emitted by this portable device in different ways. Raman spectroscopy can analyze the scattered light from a sample as read by the device and count the number of molecules in the sample. Those. it is enough for the patient to stick his finger into the hole in the device intended for this, wait a little and then see the result in his smartphone.

The company has already demonstrated the viability of its concept of measuring blood sugar levels and, according to company representatives, now plans to apply it to the field of non-invasive diagnostics and the production of wearable sensors. RSP is currently conducting clinical trials at Odense University Hospital (Denmark) and similar testing in Germany. When the test results will be published, the company does not report.

Another example is Israel's GlucoVista, which uses infrared technology to non-invasively measure sugar levels. This method has already been tried by several other development companies, but none of them could achieve a result in which the measurements corresponded to the required level of accuracy and repeatability. The Israelis, however, argue that their device is quite competitive. This medical device (GlucoVista CGM-350), which is still in development, is a watch-like wearable device that works on the principle of continuous monitoring of sugar levels and interacts with a smartphone or tablet. The device is currently being tested in several Israeli hospitals and is not yet available to end users.

Wave radiation for sugar control

Another Israeli firm, Integrity Applications, also claims to be a pioneer in this area with the GlucoTrack, a device somewhat reminiscent of a pulse oximeter with its sensor attached to the earlobe.
True, the principle of operation of the glucometer is somewhat different, it uses three different technologies at once - ultrasonic and electromagnetic radiation, as well as temperature control data in order to measure the level of sugar in the blood passing through the lobe. All information is sent to a smartphone-like device that allows you to view the current result, as well as evaluate trends by viewing measurements over a certain period. For people who experience vision problems, the device can voice the measurement result. All results can also be downloaded to an external device using a standard USB cable.

It only takes about a minute for the device to take a measurement.

The company has already obtained European Regulatory Approval (CE Mark) and is available in Israel, the Baltic countries, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Australia, China and a number of other countries.

Determination of blood sugar levels by sweat analysis

Scientists from the University of Texas at Dallas (USA) have developed a wrist sensor in the form of a bracelet, which is able to continuously accurately monitor the level of sugar, cortisol and interleukin-6, analyzing the patient's sweat.

The device is capable of operating in this mode for a week, and for measurements, the sensor only needs the minimum amount of sweat that forms on the human body without additional stimulation. The sensor, built into the device worn on the hand, uses a special gel in its work, which is placed between it and the skin. Because sweat is difficult to analyze and production can vary, this gel helps preserve it for more stable measurements. Due to this, no more than 3 µl of sweat is required for accurate measurements.

It should be noted that Texas scientists managed to cope with the main problems associated with the analysis of sweat fluid - a small amount of fluid for analysis, instability of sweat with a composition and pH that changes over time, etc.

To date, this device is at the prototype stage and does not connect to a smartphone. But with further development, the system will certainly transfer all measured data to a smartphone application for analysis and visualization.

A similar project is being carried out by scientists from the State University of New York (USA), who are developing a sensor to monitor blood sugar levels during exercise. It is a paper patch that is glued to the skin and accumulates sweat in a special miniature reservoir, where it is converted into electrical energy to power a biosensor that measures sugar levels. No external power supply is required.

But it is true that, unlike the University of Texas product, scientists from New York still did not cope with the difficulties of measuring sugar levels under normal conditions, when sweat production is very small. That is why they stipulate that their device is able to control the level of sugar only during exercise, when the sweat begins to stand out more.

This development is still only at the stage of testing the concept, and it is not clear when it will be implemented as a finished device.

Determination of sugar levels by analysis of tears

The Dutch company NovioSense has developed an original monitor for monitoring sugar levels based on tear fluid analysis. It is a miniature flexible sensor, similar to a spring, which is placed in the lower eyelid and transmits all the measured data to the corresponding application on the smartphone. It is 2 cm long, 1.5 mm in diameter and covered with a soft layer of hydrogel. The sensor's flexible form factor allows it to fit snugly against the surface of the lower eyelid without disturbing the patient. The device uses highly sensitive and low-power technology to measure minute changes in tear fluid sugar levels, accurately reflecting the patient's blood sugar levels. To communicate with a smartphone, the sensor uses NFC technology, if it is supported by the user's phone.

According to the company, this is the first of its kind "wearable in the eye" wireless device that does not require a power source for its operation.

The device will be brought to the market presumably in 2019, and now the company is completing the next phase of clinical trials. Unfortunately, there is no other information on the company's website, but judging by the fact that it has recently received another tranche of investments, they are doing well.

The scientists from the University of Houston (USA) and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology also decided to use tear fluid to control blood sugar levels. They are developing contact lenses that will work as sensors. To measure the concentration of sugar, Raman scattering spectroscopy (surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy) is used, for which a special nanostructure is applied to the lenses. This nanostructure consists of gold nano-conductors printed on top of a gold film, which are integrated into the flexible material of contact lenses.

These nanostructures create so-called "hot spots" that greatly increase the sensitivity of spectroscopy in order to measure the concentration of what's underneath.

So far, scientists have developed only a conceptual model, and any future sugar level sensor based on this technology will require an external light source to illuminate contact lenses and a sensor on them to take measurements.

By the way, the GlucoBeam glucometer, which we wrote about above, also uses Raman spectroscopy technology to control sugar levels, although tear fluid is not used there.

Determining blood sugar levels

Researchers from Western New England University (USA) have developed a device the size of a small book that measures the level of acetone in a person's breath to determine the level of sugar in his blood. This is the first non-invasive glucometer that detects blood sugar levels from the level of acetone in the patient's breath.

The device has already been tested in a small clinical study and its results showed a perfect match between blood sugar and breath acetone. There was only one exception - the inaccuracy of the measurement results in a person who is a heavy smoker and whose high level of acetone in the breath was the result of burning tobacco.

The scientists are currently working on downsizing the device and hope to bring it to market in early 2018.

Determining sugar levels in interstitial fluid

Another device that we want to draw your attention to has been developed by the French company PKVitality. For the sake of accuracy, we note that the method used here cannot be classified as non-invasive, but rather can be called "painless". This glucometer, called K "Track Glucose, is something like a watch that can measure the user's blood sugar and show its value on a small display.
In the lower part of the "watch" case, where "smart devices" usually have a heartbeat monitoring sensor, the developers have placed a special sensor module called K "apsul, containing a matrix of micro-needles. These needles painlessly penetrate the top layer of the skin and allow you to analyze the interstitial (interstitial) fluid.

To take measurements, you just need to press the button at the top of the device and wait a couple of seconds. No pre-calibration is required.

The device works with iOS and Android devices and can be programmed to provide alerts, reminders, or trending settings.

Once approved by the FDA, K'Track Glucose will retail for $149. The manufacturer does not specify the terms of medical certification. An additional K "apsul sensor, which has a lifespan of 30 days, costs $99.

A non-invasive glucometer allows you to measure the amount of glucose in a person's blood using a thermospectroscopic method. After all, control over the concentration of glucose in the blood is a primary task, which is aimed at preventing complications associated with the consequences of diabetes. This control method is called non-invasive because it does not require capillary blood sampling from a finger.

To use a conventional glucometer, you must be prepared for the fact that this procedure is quite painful. In addition, each time the patient runs the risk of contracting some disease or infection transmitted through the blood, we are talking about AIDS, hepatitis C, etc. The need for daily finger piercing creates inconvenience in everyday life, although the patient still takes this step, t to. there is a danger of glycemia and falling into a coma.

In addition, due to the constant puncture of the finger, calluses form on its surface, and blood circulation deteriorates, which further leads to a deterioration in self-diagnosis. And although it is supposed to carry out the procedure 4-7 times a day, a diabetic checks the amount of glucose in the blood only twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Benefits of a non-invasive diagnostic method

A non-invasive method that helps to determine the concentration of glucose in the blood is a quick, painless, safe and convenient alternative to the usual method of testing. It allows for adequate and regular monitoring.

To date, there are a huge variety of non-invasive glucometers that allow you to choose the most optimal device for yourself that meets the requirements of "price-quality". What non-invasive glucometers are known to the world today?

Non-invasive device Omelon A-1

Speaking about the non-invasive glucometer and automatic tonometer Omelon A-1, it must be said that this device uses the principle of a conventional tonometer in its work: it measures pressure and pulse rate, and then converts these data into a blood glucose value.

The role of the indicator in it is played by an eight-digit liquid crystal display. The tonometer gives the parameters of the lower and upper blood pressure, as well as the pulse rate by means of a compression cuff, which is fixed on the forearm of the hand. The device then calculates the blood glucose concentration without drawing blood, based on the information obtained during the blood pressure measurement.

How does Omelon A-1 work? A compression cuff attached to the forearm of the arm causes the pulses of blood passing through the artery of the arm to create impulse changes in the pressure of the air that is pumped into the cuff. The pressure sensor located in the tonoglucometer converts these air pulses into electrical signals, which are then processed by the microcontroller of the glucometer. To measure the upper and lower pressure, as well as calculate the level of glucose in the blood, pulse wave parameters are used. The results of the obtained measurements and calculations can be seen on the display of the device.

It is necessary to determine the concentration of glucose in the blood in the morning on an empty stomach or 2-3 hours after a meal. Normal blood glucose levels are 3.2-5.5 mmol/L or 60-100 mg/dL. To use the device, you need to follow certain requirements: sit down in a calm environment, in silence, not to worry and not talk during the entire time the device is working. And it must be borne in mind that glucometers from different manufacturers are configured differently and may have their own blood sugar level.

Non-invasive device Gluco Track

A non-invasive glucometer made in Israel measures the level of glucose in the blood using a special clip attached to the earlobe. You can both measure the concentration of glucose in the blood at once, and carry out continuous monitoring. The principle of operation is based on a combination of three technologies: ultrasound, heat capacity and electrical conductivity measurement.

Each of these methods has already been used in various developments, but individually, none of them, with the current level of technology, provided sufficient reliability and accuracy. But thanks to the combination of all three methods, it was possible to achieve unprecedented heights at the same time and get fairly accurate results.

The latest version of Gluco Track has a very attractive appearance, a large graphic screen that is capable of producing detailed statistical reports and graphic elements. Controlling the device is as easy as using a cell phone. As for the ear clip, it is replaceable. Using additional clips, the device can be used by three people at once. Moreover, especially for such a case, it is provided that all clips have a different color. The device does not require any consumables, so you can save a lot on its operation.

As a result of clinical trials, it was proved that 92% of the measurements obtained correspond to all existing international standards of accuracy, this creates the prerequisites for fundamentally new developments.

Non-invasive device Symphony tCGM

This non-invasive glucometer performs all measurements transdermally, it also does not involve skin puncture and insertion of the sensor under the skin. The only thing that he requires in order to carry out all the necessary measurements is a special preparation of the skin using another system - Prelude (Prelude SkinPrep System). This device "absorbs" the topmost layer of the skin. That is, on a small area of ​​the skin, consisting of keratinized cells with a thickness of 0.01 mm, a kind of peeling is carried out. This is necessary in order to improve the electrical conductivity of the skin.

In the future, a sensor is attached to this place - as tightly as possible to the skin. After some time, data on the amount of sugar in the subcutaneous fat will be obtained and transferred to the phone. In 2011, the device was tested in the USA. As a result, all respondents who used this sensor did not notice any skin irritation or redness at the sensor installation site.

The analysis of the obtained results showed that the device is just a little short of the accuracy of conventional glucometers, its accuracy was 94.4%. It was decided that it is quite possible to use it for patients with diabetes to measure the concentration of sugar in the blood every 15 minutes.