Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed and patented a minimally invasive, low-cost glucose monitoring device aimed at easing daily management for people with diabetes.
Designed to address the discomfort and inconvenience of multiple daily finger pricks, the new device combines reusable electronics with a disposable microneedle sensor patch. It enables users to monitor glucose levels with a quick glance, without the need for smartphones or external readers.
India has over 10 crore diabetes patients, according to a 2023 study published in The Lancet by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Traditional Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose methods require repeated blood samples, while current Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems are often expensive and depend on additional gadgets.
The IIT Madras device features a low-power electro-thermochromic display and compact design, enabling real-time results directly on the skin patch. Researchers say this can make glucose tracking more frequent and accurate, potentially reducing diabetic emergencies and hospital visits.
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“This device has the potential to spare people the discomfort of finger pricks and help them stay in range more consistently,” said Prof. Parasuraman Swaminathan, who led the research from the Institute’s Electronic Materials and Thin Films Lab.
Calling it a “real enabler,” IIT Madras Entrepreneurship scholar L. Balamurugan said the device could support self-reliance in medical technology and boost local manufacturing and employment.
The project has already secured multiple patents in India, and a start-up has been formed to take the device into clinical trials and eventual commercialisation. Technology transfer discussions are underway with medical device manufacturers, while further steps include regulatory testing and real-world validations.
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