Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed what they call "Life Beans". These are fluorescent beads that are implanted inside the human body. They glow with varying intensity subject to the glucose level of the patient:
Researchers tested it in the ears of a mouse, and watched as the ear fluoresced at different intensities depending on the mouse's blood sugar.
The researchers think it would be possible to develop devices that manage diabetics' blood sugar without them noticing it.
One difficulty with the current design is that the patient's immune system attacks the beads and dims the lights.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-08/life-beans-could-be-made-implantable-glucose-monitor | Video | Image: DigInfo
Previously:
Contact Lenses That Change Color to Alert Diabetics of Glucose Levels
Diabetes-Monitoring Nanoparticle Tattoos
Newest 3 Comments
Does it glow when glucose levels are high or low? Because I feel like it would be a terrible temptation for a diabetic to let their blood sugar level get too high in order to see a lovely glowing light under their skin. Or perhaps only I would do that.
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The downside? You have to have a mouse's ear grafted onto your arm first.
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Looks like it scares the crap out of that rat.
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