Researchers have devised a novel method for precise glucose monitoring using a cellphone compass. This innovative approach involves connecting a miniature well containing a hydrogel strip to a cellphone, enabling accurate biological sensing.
Nurses take a patient's glucose level and pulse at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile clinic on October 7, 2017 at the Riverview School in Grundy, Virginia. This event was one of several weekend-long clinics held by RAM during the year, providing free dental, vision, and general health services to hundreds of people in remote areas of the United States. According to RAM, this clinic provided care for 750 people, with dental care being the most sought-after service. (Photo: VICTORIA SARNO JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Unveiling Biomedical Sensing Advancements
Scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have devised a groundbreaking method for precision glucose monitoring by integrating a cellphone's magnetometer with biological sensing technology.
This innovation leverages the ubiquity of magnetometers in modern cell phones to detect minute changes in glucose levels. By connecting a small well containing a hydrogel strip to the cellphone, researchers have unlocked a new realm of possibilities for biomedical monitoring.
As detailed in a recent publication in the journal Nature Communications, this technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling quick and cost-effective measurements of various biomedical markers beyond glucose.
Scientists devised a novel method by attaching a miniature well, housing the test solution, and a hydrogel strip onto a mobile device. Hydrogel, renowned for its porous properties, undergoes expansion upon contact with water.
This innovative approach enables the hydrogel to react to fluctuations in glucose levels or pH values. Microscopic magnetic particles were embedded within the hydrogel. Variations in pH levels are often indicative of various biological conditions.
As the hydrogel expands and contracts, it induces movement in the magnetic particles, detected by the cellphone's magnetometer. Utilizing this technique enables the magnetometer to discern alterations in the strength of the magnetic field.
Employing this approach, researchers achieved the detection of glucose concentrations reaching a few millionths of a mole. A mole, a standard unit of measurement, signifies a specific number of atoms or molecules within a substance.
Experts suggest that although a blood sample is typically utilized for home glucose monitoring, the remarkable sensitivity achieved could potentially facilitate routine testing for glucose in saliva. Saliva typically contains significantly lower sugar concentrations compared to blood.
Innovative Hydrogel Sensing Technology
Smart hydrogels, like those engineered by the NIST team, react to various substances for medical research. Bilayers of two hydrogels, each responsive to pH or glucose, enhance mobility for the magnetometer to track magnetic field fluctuations.
This allows the detection of histamines, proteins, and DNA at concentrations as low as tens of nanomoles. Such sensitivity streamlines testing processes, offering cost-effective pH level assessments comparable to expensive benchtop meters.
