IISc develops non-invasive, needle-free glucose checks for diabetics

FOR millions of people with diabetes, checking blood glucose levels is a painful yet daily necessity as it requires pricking the skin several times a day, which is inconvenient and poses a risk of infection.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru

However, scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a painless alternative, using light and sound instead of needles. This breakthrough, based on a technique called photoacoustic sensing, can change the way glucose levels are monitored.

'Photoacoustic sensing' is a method wherein a laser is beamed onto biological tissues. When the tissue absorbs the light, it heats up slightly—by less than 1 degree Celsius—causing it to expand and contract. This tiny movement generates ultrasonic sound waves, which can be detected by specialized instruments.

Since different molecules absorb light in unique ways, they create distinct "fingerprints" in the emitted sound waves, allowing scientists to identify and measure specific substances in the body without ever needing to break the skin.