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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / February 2008New Diabetes Breath Test
NewScientist.com news service Justin Mullins 11 February 2008 Diabetes Breath Test Diabetics currently have to take a sample of their blood to measure their glucose levels, but a non-invasive test would be safer and give less discomfort. A few companies have developed non-invasive glucose meters that spot sugar by its spectroscopic signature. But the results have been poor, mainly because other substances in the blood such as water and some fats have a similar signature. A possible new solution comes from the fact that, a few years ago, scientists discovered that the amount of carbon monoxide that we breathe out is linked to the amount of glucose in our blood. This is thought to be because excess glucose stimulates the production of an enzyme called heme oxygenase, which catalyses reactions that release CO2 and other by-products. This has given consumer electronics company Philips an idea for a non-invasive blood glucose meter that simply monitors the concentration of carbon monoxide in exhaled breath. With diabetes on the rise, Philips' device could be a huge boon to both diabetes sufferers and health services if it proves reliable. Read the full glucose breath test patent application http://tinyurl.com/25x8hr http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13299-invention-flexible-micro -wings.html > NewScientist.com news service > Justin Mullins [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13299-invention-flexible-micro -wings.html I'm not holding my breath waiting for this [ pun not intended] but Phillip;s is a BIG company, and has the bucks to do the research. That makes the odds only 100 to 1 against it working, not a million to one. In any case, it will take years to pass tests and to be ready for market. The real question is will it require disposables? most of us who test a lot, or for years, have little problem with jabs. The problem is STRIPS they are expensive, hard to handle at times, easy to drop, etc. >> http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13299-invention-flexible-micro -wings.html > >I'm not holding my breath waiting for this [ pun not intended] but >Phillip;s is a BIG company, and has the bucks to do the research. I could be wrong as I can never keep up with who owns who and who has sold what department to who but I'm pretty sure Philips are involved in medical imaging and other medical products (they also have tie-ins to LG) >That makes the odds only 100 to 1 against it working, not a million to one. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >The problem is STRIPS >they are expensive, hard to handle at times, easy to drop, etc. Yes, how will they make their profits? OR could they possibly have the clout to undercut the cartel of meter manufacturers? Presumably won't work for smokers though you may also be able to tell if your central heating is failing . . . room CO detectors are quite widespread so the technology is there already I suspect initially a lab-sized and priced instrument rather than a personal one > I could be wrong as I can never keep up with who owns who and who has > sold what department to who but I'm pretty sure Philips are involved > in medical imaging and other medical products (they also have tie-ins > to LG) > ... You mean the people who make cell phones? Will the phone-mic double as a bg-breathalyzer?? I might actually keep mine on more if that pans out! > I suspect initially a lab-sized and priced instrument rather than a > personal one Things techie start out big & pricey & get small & cheap after a while. Just look at computers! bj >> I could be wrong as I can never keep up with who owns who and who has >> sold what department to who but I'm pretty sure Philips are involved [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >You mean the people who make cell phones? LG used to be Lucky Goldstar, they make all kinds of stuff, along with Samsung they're one of the major manufacturers of LCD screens often found with other people's circuitry under numerous brand names >Will the phone-mic double as a bg-breathalyzer?? >I might actually keep mine on more if that pans out! Now there's an idea. Except you'll have to make a call to find out your number. >> I suspect initially a lab-sized and priced instrument rather than a >> personal one > >Things techie start out big & pricey & get small & cheap after a while. >Just look at computers! yes, I was thinking it through from a manufacturing perspective [1] they already have CO sensing technology [2] it is now capable of being mass-produced for domestic sensors [3] therefore all they need to develop is medical levels of accuracy [4] they sell the first few thousand in a big shiny box with blue LEDs and a thing that goes "BEEP" at £1799 to hospitals [5] then they sell the same kit in a pocket sized box in bulk for £29.99 to the public you think they'll give me a job??? > NewScientist.com news service > Justin Mullins [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13299-invention-flexible-micro -wings.html The old test isn't even reliable, why a new one? All it does is measure the resistance of your blood. Many things can affect the resistance, not just sugar.  SignatureBlattus Slafaly ? 3 :) 7/8 |
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