Glucose Monitoring

Non-invasive testing of blood glucose levels

Diabetes affects quality of life and can lead to major complications. The number of people with diabetes is increasing around the world, leading to higher costs for national economies. Diabetes has an enormous impact on individuals and on society:

• There are over 284 million people with diabetes world-wide;
• There are an estimated 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK;
• It costs the NHS approximately 9 billion pounds per year;
• There are an estimated 17.9 million people with diabetes in the USA, costing 174 billion dollars.

Various studies have demonstrated the importance of good control of blood glucose levels and this is most commonly achieved by taking a blood sample from the finger. The problems for the user associated with the technique are:

• It is invasive and therefore carries the risk of infection;
• Continuous pricking of the fingers causes hard skin and nerve damage;
• The process is not pain free.

As a result of inconvenience, social embarrassment and discomfort many people do not test themselves as often as recommended. This increases the likelihood of associated health problems.

By removing the need to sample blood directly, Lein's instrument will overcome these problems.

Lein's glucose meter

Lein is applying a proven, non-invasive optical measurement principle in a novel way to measure the amount of glucose in the eye. From this measurement, the amount of glucose in the blood can be derived.

By combining expertise in diabetes, ophthalmology and medical devices, we are developing the technology to produce a non-invasive glucose meter for point of care testing. The meter will be hand-held, portable and about the size of a mobile phone. The device will be held up to the eye in order to take a reading.

Lein now has two granted patents in this area and a fifth pending. The first patent deals with the optical measuring apparatus and method. The second expands upon the first patent and protects the particular methods and apparatus being used.