New diabetes monitor to text medics

Scientists hope to save lives by developing a new hi-tech diabetes monitor which sends a text alert to medics if a patient’s blood sugar levels fall to dangerous lows.

Researchers from Swansea University are collaborating with a number of technology companies to develop the next generation blood glucose-monitoring sensor.

They plan to create a new monitoring unit, which will send an SMS message to next of kin or medical personnel when a person is at risk of a hypoglycaemic attack.

Vincent Teng, a nanoelectronics expert from Swansea University’s College of Engineering, said the device would benefit diabetes sufferers as it would be non-invasive and pain free – unlike current methods such as the “finger stick” glucose meter that requires patients to carry out up to 10 tests a day.

He said: “Diabetic patients with low blood glucose can become unconscious due to hypoglycaemia and there are many reported incidents where patients who either live or work alone fainted without the notice of others. Such occurrence can often be fatal.

“Therefore, a multi-functional monitoring system is important to manage the glucose level of diabetic patients and to provide warning when the patient is unconscious.”

The £470,000 research project has already been backed by the Welsh government’s EU funded Academic Expertise for Business programme and is being developed in Wales.

The overall aim is to develop a “low-cost continuous monitoring system” using sensors and mobile networks. Blood samples would be collected via an array of micro-needles – measuring less than 1mm – from the dermal layer of the skin.

Using nanotechnology and wireless mobile technology, the device will then transmit readings from the sensor to mobile phones and on to the NHS and the clinical team responsible for the patient’s care.

Officials say the device also has the potential to be adapted for other chronic conditions – such as coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and asthma.

Bridget Turner, head of policy and care improvement at Diabetes UK, said: “This report reinforces that diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges this country faces.

“Increasing diabetes prevalence has largely caused this rise in cost and numbers of prescriptions.

“Diabetes UK believes that people should have access to the most appropriate treatment to manage their diabetes and reduce the risk of devastating complications.

“The long-term costs of poor diabetes management, such as caring for someone who’s had a heart attack or stroke, lost their sight or lower limb, far outweigh those of the drugs that help prevent such complications.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “The number of people being diagnosed with diabetes is increasing and this continues to cause a rise in spending on drugs prescribed to manage the condition.

“However, the continued upward trend is not down to rising cases alone and a number of factors need to be considered such as increased access to new and more effective medicines and the move towards prescribing medicines preventatively. Commonly prescribed drugs include metformin, Sulphonylureas and pioglitazone.”