Bengaluru: IISc develops painless needle-free laser-based glucose monitoring method

Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has introduced a groundbreaking, needle-free method for glucose monitoring using photoacoustic sensing, offering a painless alternative to traditional blood sugar tests.

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Currently, diabetes patients rely on frequent finger pricks, which can be inconvenient and carry infection risks. The IISc team from the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics has developed a laser-based technique that eliminates the need for invasive procedures.

Photoacoustic sensing works by directing a laser beam at biological tissue, causing a minimal temperature rise. This triggers expansion and contraction, generating ultrasonic sound waves that reveal the presence of specific molecules. By using polarised light, the researchers measured glucose levels based on the acoustic signal variations caused by glucose’s optical properties.

In tests, the method demonstrated near-clinical accuracy in detecting glucose concentrations in water, serum, and animal tissue samples. Additionally, it allowed for precise glucose readings at different tissue depths due to the minimal scattering of sound waves. A pilot study further validated the approach by tracking blood sugar levels in a participant over three days.

While the current setup relies on a bulky and expensive laser, efforts are underway to miniaturize the technology for clinical use. If successfully commercialized, this innovation could revolutionize diabetes management and broader medical diagnostics.