Wearable patch can non-invasively monitor diabetes using human sweat and then administer drugs to combat the disease
Optical image of the graphene-hybrid electrochemical device array on the human skin with perspiration
A scientific team from the Center for Nanoparticle Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has created a wearable grapheme (GP)-based patch that allows diabetes monitoring and feedback therapy.
Current diabetes monitoring and treatment requires testing kits with which diabetes patients have to prick themselves to draw blood and then inject themselves withs insulin shots to regulate glucose levels.
The IBS wearable patch facilitates non-invasive and painless monitoring of important markers of diabetes, according to the Institute.
Kim Dae-Hyeong, a scientist from the Center for Nanoparticle Research, said: “Our wearable GP-based device is capable of not only sweat-based glucose and pH monitoring but also controlled transcutaneous drug delivery through temperature-responsive microneedles.
“The patch is applied to the skin where sweat-based glucose monitoring begins on sweat generation.
“The humidity sensor monitors the increase in relative humidity (RH). It takes an average of 15 minutes for the sweat-uptake layer of the patch to collect sweat and reach a RH over 80% at which time glucose and pH measurements are initiated.
Dae-Hyeong also said that, “the device retains its original sensitivity after multiple uses, thereby allowing for multiple treatments.
During the IBS team’s research, two healthy males participated in tests to demonstrate the sweat-based glucose sensing of the device.
Glucose and pH levels of both subjects were recorded; a statistical analysis confirmed the reliable correlation between sweat glucose data from the diabetes patch and those from commercial glucose tests, according to IBS.
If abnormally high levels of glucose are detected, a drug is released into a patient’s bloodstream via drug loaded microneedles.
IBS said that the malleable, semi-transparent skin-like appearance of the GP device provides easy and comfortable contact with human skin, allowing the sensors to remain unaffected by any skin deformations. This enables stable sensing and efficient drug delivery.
The scientific team also demonstrated the therapeutic effects by experimenting on diabetic) mice. Treatment began by applying the device near the abdomen of the mouse.
Microneedles pierced the skin of the mouse and released Metformin, an insulin regulating drug, into the bloodstream.
The group treated with microneedles showed a significant suppression of blood glucose concentrations with respect to control groups.
Dae-Hyeong said: “One can easily replace the used microneedles with new ones. Treatment with Metformin through the skin is more efficient than that through the digestive system because the drug is directly introduced into metabolic circulation through the skin.
“These advances using nanomaterials and devices provide new opportunities for the treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes.”