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PRINTED TATTOO COULD PROVIDE NEEDLE-FREE GLUCOSE MONITORING

Flexible Temporary Tattoo May Help Diabetics to Manage Their Condition

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a short-lived printed tattoo sensor that could see an end to the daily finger-prick routine endured by diabetics. Engineers at the US-based university created the flexible device by printing meticulously patterned electrodes on temporary tattoo paper. Other blood-free glucose tests have used different bodily fluids like saliva to get an accurate glucose reading.

The device works by sampling interstitial fluid within the skin which contains glucose. The science behind the device relies on a method known as reverse iontophoretic extraction to access the glucose and an enzyme-based biosensor to measure it. Seven healthy volunteers with no history of diabetes were used in a study and it was found the tattoo sensor gave results that were just as accurate as a conventional finger-prick monitor. The researchers believe the device could be used in other areas, such as testing the level of lactate in athletes to monitor their fitness.

PRINTED TATTOO COULD PROVIDE NEEDLE-FREE GLUCOSE MONITORING

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  • 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
  • University of California