New Smart Ring Tracks Glucose Without Blood Test
Scientists have developed a prototype smart ring that can monitor glucose levels through sweat, raising hopes for a simpler way to track blood sugar without repeated blood tests.
The wearable device analyses sweat to measure important biological markers, including glucose, lactate and alcohol.
Researchers say the technology could eventually make continuous health monitoring more convenient, particularly for people who need to monitor their glucose regularly.
The findings, published in the journal Nature, tackle one of the major challenges facing wearable health technology: how to accurately measure substances normally detected through blood without using an invasive method.
The experimental ring uses an osmotic hydrogel to gently draw small amounts of sweat from the skin. The system can collect sweat even when a person is not visibly sweating, allowing the device to obtain readings over time.
Researchers found that measurements from the ring closely corresponded with those obtained through conventional blood analysis.
They said this could give the technology an advantage over some optical sensing systems being developed for non-invasive health monitoring.
The device is still at the research stage and is not yet ready for everyday use. The current prototype is bulkier than most smart rings available commercially and can operate for only about 12 hours on one charge.
Further development will be needed to make the device smaller, improve its battery life and ensure that its readings remain reliable under different conditions.
Despite these limitations, the researchers say the technology could point towards a future where wearable devices monitor important health markers continuously without needles, finger pricks or repeated blood collection.
For people who need regular glucose monitoring, such a development could eventually offer a more convenient way to keep track of their blood sugar throughout the day.
