A Waterloo Engineering research team has designed a system that fits into a smart watch and eliminates the need for diabetics to have to prick their fingers or rely on invasive wearable patches with micro-needles to track their blood-sugar levels.
Led by Dr. George Shaker, an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the team's innovative radar technology enables non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring that is essential for those managing diabetes.
To explain how the new system works, Shaker points to weather satellites that use radar to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere and, for example, measure storm movements and other kinds of cloud cover.
“We’ve figured a way to miniaturize these radar systems on satellites and put them in a wearable device and use the same radar technology that looks at changes in the atmosphere to look at changes in the human body,” he said.
The unique aspect of this system is the meta-surface which Shaker and his team have developed. It further improves the radar’s resolution and sensitivity, allowing for more accurate glucose readings.
The team is currently working with industry partners to introduce the technology to be installed in the next generation of wearables.
“We have a minimum viable product that’s already being used in clinical trials, and while there’s more work to be done, we’re much closer to a full marketable device,” Shaker said.
Go to No more needles! Tracking blood sugar on your wrist for the full story.