With over 500 million people worldwide living with diabetes, the need for reliable, continuous glucose monitoring is extremely high. Most commercial systems rely on the enzyme glucose oxidase, which gradually degrades and requires regular sensor replacement. Chinese scientists have developed an effective, enzyme-free alternative, EurekAlert reports .
Scientists have developed the ARMPatch system—a wearable glucometer consisting of glucose-sensing hydrogel microneedles. The patch acts as an acoustic interface and is placed between the skin and a standard ultrasound sensor, requiring no special reading devices.
Upon contact with tissue fluid, the microneedles absorb it and change their length depending on the glucose concentration. These changes are recorded in real time by a standard ultrasound system. The device does not require enzymes, fluorescent dyes, or specialized equipment.
In preclinical experiments, the patch consistently measured glucose levels for 56 days. In free-roaming animal models, the patch provided continuous glucose monitoring for seven days. Readings correlated with those of a commercial glucometer.
This technology opens a new avenue for the application of ultrasound in wearable biosensors and, potentially, will enable the creation of more durable and cost-effective glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes. Preclinical trials are currently ongoing.
Previously, other scientists have shown that a microneedle patch accurately assesses immune status without a blood test.
