Feasibility of non-invasive optical blood-glucose detection using overtone circular dichroism

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of using overtone circular dichroism spectroscopy as a non-invasive method for continuous blood glucose monitoring, aiming to improve patient compliance and disease management.

Contribution

It demonstrates the vibrational overtone circular dichroism properties of glucose and analyzes their application for non-invasive blood glucose detection.

Findings

Glucose exhibits measurable overtone circular dichroism signals.

Overtone circular dichroism can distinguish glucose levels non-invasively.

Potential for developing a non-invasive glucose monitoring device.

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most debilitating and costly diseases currently plaguing humanity. It is a leading cause of death and dismemberment in the world, and we know how to treat it. Accurate, continuous monitoring and control of blood glucose levels via insulin treatments are widely known to mitigate the majority of detrimental effects caused by the disease. The primary limitation of continuous glucose monitoring is patient non-compliance due to the unpleasant nature of "finger-stick" testing methods. This limitation can be largely, or even completely, removed by non-invasive testing methods. In this report, we demonstrate the vibrational overtone circular dichroism properties of glucose and analyze its use as a method of non-invasive glucose monitoring, capable of assuaging this trillion dollar scourge.