Design and Development of a Non-invasive Opto-Electronic Sensor for Blood Glucose Monitoring Using a Visible Light Source

Background The management of diabetes is critically dependent on the continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels. Contemporary approaches primarily utilize invasive methods, which often prove to be uncomfortable and can deter patient adherence. There is a pressing need for the development of novel strategies that improve patient compliance and simplify the process of glucose monitoring. Aim and objectives The primary objective of this research is to develop a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring system (NIBGMS) that offers a convenient alternative to conventional invasive methods. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of using visible laser light at a wavelength of 650 nm for glucose monitoring and to address physiological and technical challenges associated with in vivo measurements. Methods Our approach involved the design of a device that exploits the quantitative relationship between glucose concentration and the refraction phenomena of laser light. The system was initially calibrated and tested using glucose solutions across a range of concentrations (25-500 mg/dL). To get around the problems that come up when people's skin and bodies are different, we combined an infrared (IR) transmitter (800 nm) and receiver that checks for changes in voltage, which are indicative of glucose levels. Results The prototype device was compared with a commercially available blood glucose monitor (Accu-Chek active machine; Roche Diabetes Care, Inc., Mumbai, India). The results demonstrated an average linearity of 95.7% relative to the Accu-Chek machine, indicating a high level of accuracy in the non-invasive measurement of glucose levels. Conclusions The findings suggest that our NIBGMS holds significant promise for clinical application. It reduces the discomfort associated with blood sampling and provides reliable measurements that are comparable to those of existing invasive methods. The successful development of this device paves the way for further commercial translation and could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with diabetes, by facilitating easier and more frequent monitoring.