Non-Invasive Glucometer

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.

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.