ABSTRACT
Most truly noninvasive glucose monitoring (NIGM) systems are optical in nature and follow these physiological concepts. As variations in skin conditions, such as pigmentation, temperature, hydration, and blood flow, affect the skin's optical properties, glucose sensing becomes challenging. The appeal of NIGM systems is obvious. NIGM allows patients with diabetes to measure glucose levels without pain, irritation, and risk of infection that are associated with other methods. Ultrasound waves permeate the skin and glucose is diffused through. Glucose is sensed through a current that passes through an array of cymbal transducers. Absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range has been used to measure glucose levels according to the changes in the beam of light returned to the device. The place for NIGM is obvious—a painless system that can measure glucose levels and guide treatment could dramatically improve the quality of life of diabetic patients and reduce long-term organ damage.
