- Prototype smart ring developed by engineers at the University of California appears to have cracked one of the holy grails of health wearables: non-invasive blood sugar measurement.
- In a study published in Nature Communications on July 23, the engineering team reports that the new smart ring uses sweat to continuously monitor up to four biochemical measurements.
- The ring’s ability to track both glucose and ketone continuously and simultaneously would greatly benefit optimal insulin dosing for the management of diabetes.
- Testing showed that it achieved very similar accuracy to invasive blood draws.
- The prototype ring, dubbed the Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM), clamps around a person’s finger and wirelessly shares data with a smartphone.
- The ring uses an osmotic hydrogel that relies on the principles of osmosis to naturally draw sweat out.
- The sweat is then run through electrochemical sensors to track changes in six biomarkers—glucose, ketone, ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactate, and alcohol—measuring four at a time.
- Continuous glucose and ketone monitoring may also help with determining optimal insulin dosage, especially for diabetics.
- In trials with participants with and without Type 1 diabetes, CHARM’s sweat analysis was able to closely match glucose measurements from a continuous glucose monitor.
- Commercial rings only provide biophysical information, but they lack molecular information about biochemical markers that offer deeper insights about an individual’s health status.
- The study states that sustained multi-day monitoring will also require further advances in hydrogel engineering.
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a groundbreaking prototype smart ring that measures blood sugar and other biomarkers through sweat analysis. The device, known as the Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM), can continuously monitor up to four biochemical measurements, including glucose and ketones, which are crucial for diabetes management.125
The ring utilizes an osmotic hydrogel to draw sweat from the skin, which is then analyzed by electrochemical sensors. This innovative approach allows for real-time tracking of various biomarkers such as vitamin C, uric acid, lactate, and alcohol concentrations. In trials, CHARM demonstrated accuracy comparable to traditional blood tests, achieving similar results to continuous glucose monitors and traditional blood meters for ketone levels.679
The ability to monitor both glucose and ketones simultaneously is particularly beneficial for individuals managing diabetes, as it aids in determining optimal insulin dosing. However, the study notes that sustained multi-day monitoring will require advancements in hydrogel engineering and battery performance, as the ring currently lasts for only 12 hours on a charge without a convenient recharging method.11
This development represents a significant step forward in health wearables, potentially transforming how individuals monitor their health and manage conditions like diabetes.
“The Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM) can monitor glucose and ketones continuously, aiding diabetes management by optimizing insulin dosing. However, the study notes that improvements in hydrogel engineering and battery performance are necessary for sustained multi-day monitoring, as the ring currently lasts only 12 hours on a charge.”
9to5Mac
Gizmodo
