ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

Brief Summary: This study tested a new biosensor, named depth-gated mid-infrared optoacoustic sensor (DIROS), which uses intravital mid-infrared optoacoustic signals, for accurate non-invasive measurement of glucose concentrations in blood-rich volumes of the skin. DIROS provided in-blood glucose measurements with better accuracy and sensitivity than methods that measured glucose in the interstitial fluid.

Non-invasive glucose monitoring is an attractive alternative to finger pricking for blood glucose assessment (1). The introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which uses electrochemical microneedles as a minimally invasive technique, has revolutionised the management of diabetes, making glucose monitoring easier and providing a 24-hour profile (1). However, current CGM systems measure glucose in interstitial fluids not in blood. There are discrepancies between CGM and blood glucose levels, due to differences in glucose dynamics in these compartments, which potentially result in inaccurate measurements.

This study tested in mice a new biosensor, termed depth-gated mid-infrared optoacoustic sensor (DIROS), which allows non-invasive glucose detection in blood-rich volumes in the skin. This system can detect glucose levels directly from the blood, using optoacoustic signals from the mid-infrared spectrum. DIROS sends pulses of light into the tissue, which converts the light into ultrasound waves that can be detected on the skin surface. It uses time-gated optoacoustic measurements, which can remove the contributions from tissue components on the skin surface that might reduce measurement accuracy.

This new technology represents a remarkable step towards the development of non-invasive glucose measuring devices. Next step is to assess the performance of DIROS at different areas of the human skin and to translate these findings into clinical practice as an alternative way of monitoring glucose levels in people living with diabetes.

References: 1. Di Filippo D, Sunstrum FN, Khan JU, Welsh AW. Non-Invasive Glucose Sensing Technologies and Products: A Comprehensive Review for Researchers and Clinicians. Sensors. 2023;23(22):9130.