by Joel Harrison
18. January 2011 21:00
Speculations about the possibility of monitoring blood glucose with the use of smart contact lenses have been circulating for quite some time. Now, a report concerning the effectiveness of a contact lenses biosensor has been published.
Researchers used the biocompatible MPC polymer and polydimethyl siloxane as materials for the biosensor and employed the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technique. The sensor consists of two electrodes and generates current depending on glucose concentration.
The relationship between the output current and glucose level was good, with a correlation coefficient as high as 0.999. The range in which the device was tested included tear glucose levels found in normal patients and in patients suffering from diabetes.
In addition, the biosensor was applied to a rabbit in order to monitor its tear glucose. The researchers found that tear glucose concentration rose 10 minutes after blood sugar concentration.
Moreover, they are certain that the tested biosensor will provide further data concerning the relationship between changes in blood glucose and tear glucose.
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