Glucose levels in the skin, where the ink would be injected subcutaneously, might not necessarily reflect the more critical measurement of glucose levels in the blood. Some studies show that skin glucose levels can lag up to 20 minutes behind blood glucose levels, while other show a much faster change. "It's an interesting question," said Clark. "It's one that we might even be able to help answer." Even if there is a significant lag time between blood and skin glucose levels, a small tattoo, in the several square millimeter range, according to Clark, would let diabetics know if an abnormally high or low reading was either returning to a normal level or getting worse. Initial tests of the sodium-detecting ink in mice have had "spectacular" results, according to Clark. Testing the glucose monitoring nanotech ink in mice could begin by the end of this month. Consumers will have to wait. Clark estimates that it will be at least two years before the necessary human testing is complete to bring the ink to the market. Robert Rubin, a professor at Harvard Medical School, is excited by Clark's work at Draper. "This will give me a great short cut for understanding what is happening inside the body," said Rubin. Related Links: |
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