Diabetes is one
of the major problems in not only Pakistan but also in the world. This disease
is no more than a "silent killer" which malfunction the human
physiology at a snail's pace. Diabetes can be easily defined as “the disorder
of insulin function or production”. In diabetes, the glucose level in the blood
deviates from the normal levels, due to the lack of insulin quantity or due to
the disturbance in the insulin function. This disturbance in glucose levels can
be easily controlled through synthetic insulin delivery. But, here a can question
can arise that how do we know about the disturbance in the blood glucose
concentration?
The answer to
this question is quite simple. A blood glucose meter can used to keep track of
the blood glucose levels. Currently, there are glucose meters which can be used
as a household medical device (like, a thermometer in your home!). Some of the
household medical devices require a complete drop of blood from you while others
require less than a blood. Some of these glucose meters are automated but, most
of them are manual. For, manual glucose meters you have to prick your blood by
yourself through a lancet or pricking gun (and ouch, it is really painful). The
automated glucose meters does not require manual pricking, they just suck your
blood automatically in very few amounts (usually, half the drop of blood). The
pricking or sucking sites are mostly fingers. These devices are called invasive
glucometers.
The research for
the quest of a novel blood glucose meter that doesn’t require any blood is continuing
since 40 years and, up till now many methodologies have been implemented to
produce such devices. The most famous of them are through reflection, refraction
and/or scattering of either infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. You just only
have to wear a ring or a clip on your finger or wear special glases on your face or even wear it on ears like ear tops! And lo! Bingo! You will get your blood
sugar level. These devices are collectively known as non–invasive glucometers.
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| Non-invasive Glucometer with a clip |
Non-Invasive
glucose meter are better than the invasive ones. Not only that invasive
glucometers require blood and pricking but also they need glucose strips.
Glucose strips have a significant running cost which have to be beared by the
patient. Non-invasive ones are cheap, user–friendly and comfortable. They also
have very low running cost. Scientists, engineers and industrialists believe
that by 2013, the commercialization of glucose meters will start and people
will feel much comfortable when using these machine.
