This Temporary Tattoo Lets Diabetics Monitor Their Glucose Levels
Rahul Kalvapalle — January 19, 2015 — Tech
References: jacobsschool.ucsd.edu & gizmag
A team of researchers led by University of California, San Diego grad student Amay Bandodkar are developing a temporary tattoo that can be used by diabetics to monitor their blood glucose levels. These tattoos would represent a painless and more fun way for diabetics to do so without having to prick themselves.
Once the tattoo is applied to the patient, a mild electrical current is passed to their skin. This causes glucose-carrying sodium ions to move towards the electrodes. The tattoo's built-in sensor then measures the strength of the electrical charge produced by the glucose, rendering it able to measure glucose levels in the patient's bloodstream.
This temporary tattoo doesn't provide a numerical read-out of glucose levels, with a separate device currently being developed for that purpose.
Once the tattoo is applied to the patient, a mild electrical current is passed to their skin. This causes glucose-carrying sodium ions to move towards the electrodes. The tattoo's built-in sensor then measures the strength of the electrical charge produced by the glucose, rendering it able to measure glucose levels in the patient's bloodstream.
This temporary tattoo doesn't provide a numerical read-out of glucose levels, with a separate device currently being developed for that purpose.
Trend Themes
1. Temporary Diabetic Tattoos - Temporary tattoos that can monitor blood glucose levels offer a painless and fun way for diabetics to manage their condition.
2. Non-invasive Glucose Monitoring - The development of temporary tattoos that use mild electrical currents to measure glucose levels presents an opportunity for non-invasive glucose monitoring technology.
3. Alternative Blood Glucose Testing - Temporary diabetic tattoos provide an alternative to traditional blood glucose testing by eliminating the need for pricking the skin.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry could benefit from incorporating non-invasive glucose monitoring technologies, such as temporary diabetic tattoos, for more efficient and painless diabetes management.
2. Medical Devices - The medical devices industry can explore the production of temporary diabetic tattoos as innovative tools for glucose monitoring, providing a more convenient and user-friendly option to diabetics.
3. Tattoo Industry - The tattoo industry has an opportunity to expand its offerings by venturing into the development and production of temporary diabetic tattoos, catering to a new market of individuals seeking wearable health monitoring solutions.
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