Temporary Tattoo Detects Glucose Levels

Jan-19-15 Researchers have developed a temporary tattoo that could one day allow diabetics to do away with finger pricks and needles altogether.

The "proof-of-concept" tattoo, developed by a team from the University of California, San Diego, was made by printing a specific pattern of electrodes on a piece of temporary tattoo paper. Once the tattoo is in place, a very mild electrical current is applied to the skin for ten minutes. This causes the sodium ions in the fluid between skin cells to move to the electrodes, carrying glucose molecules with them as they go. The tattoo can then use its integrated sensor to measure the electrical charge produced by the glucose and determine the patient's glucose level.


A second device is in the works that will assign a numerical readout to the glucose level, and the team is also working to increase the durability of the tattoos.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[JACOBSSCHOOL.UCSD.EDU]

---