A New Way to Check Blood Sugar Without Needles

Diabetes management is tough. People with diabetes often deal with finger pricks or skin sensors to check their blood sugar. These methods can be painful and inconvenient. But now, researchers at MIT are working on a new device that could make life easier. This device uses near-infrared light to measure glucose levels without breaking the skin. It works by shining light on the skin and analyzing how the light scatters. This method, called Raman spectroscopy, helps identify molecules in the tissue. The current device is about the size of a shoebox. You place your arm on it for a 30-second scan. The light shines through a glass window onto your skin. The light that bounces back has tiny changes in wavelength, which reveal the molecules present. Earlier versions of this technology were bulky and slow. They collected too much data, making the process inefficient. But the MIT team found a way to simplify it. They discovered that only three spectral bands are needed to measure glucose levels accurately. This makes the device faster, smaller, and more affordable.In a recent study, a volunteer drank two glucose drinks while researchers took readings every five minutes. The new scanner matched the accuracy of two commercial glucometers. This was a big surprise because the device is still in early development. After perfecting the shoebox version, the researchers built a prototype the size of a cellphone. This prototype is now in clinical testing with healthy and prediabetic volunteers. A larger trial with people who have diabetes is expected next year. The long-term goal is to shrink the device to the size of a watch. Researchers also want to ensure it works accurately across different skin tones. If successful, this could lead to a wrist-based glucose monitor. This light-based method is not the only one trying to eliminate needles. Other ideas include using ECG signals to predict glucose levels. However, these methods are still in development and need more time before they reach consumers. For people with diabetes, fewer needle sticks could make a big difference. A quick scan could replace the stress of drawing blood or inserting a sensor. The accuracy seen in early testing shows that noninvasive tools are becoming a reality. They could help people catch changes in their glucose levels faster and make daily management easier.