Analysis of Non-Invasive Devices and Techniques Involved in Continuous Monitoring of Interstitial Glucose of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Abstract: There are 422 million diabetes patients worldwide according to 2023 census of WHO, and around 100 million cases in India. 8.4 million type 1 diabetes cases were recorded as of 2021. By 2040, it is projected that the number of people living with Type 1 Diabetes will reach 13.5–17.4 million. The surge in diabetes cases has created the critical need for regular glucose monitoring to effectively manage this prevalent health issue. Currently, glucose levels are predominantly measured invasively by pricking the finger for a blood sample and involves invasive methods, such as fingertip pricks, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, particularly for paediatric patients. This method utilizes blood glucose monitoring devices, which measure sugar levels in a small blood sample placed on a disposable test strip and have a certain degree of inaccuracy. Patients do not test as often as they should because of the pain and hassle of finger pricks and many do not achieve optimal glycaemic control. However, the shift toward non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring is becoming increasingly imperative and a promising alternative. With current biotechnological advances, many techniques offer a non-invasive, continuous means of monitoring glucose levels and have garnered significant attention in recent years. The objective is to consolidate and summarize recent advancements in non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring, emphasizing integration into wearable platforms for seamless and real-time monitoring. Furthermore, paediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes face elevated risks of severe hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic events due to challenges in glycaemic control. Frequently, monitoring blood glucose is crucial to mitigate these risks and achieve optimal glycaemic management. The objective of ongoing research is to validate AI-based algorithms utilizing ECG signals collected through non-invasive devices to detect glycaemic events. These advancements, once commercially available, have the potential to revolutionize glucose monitoring, offering a convenient, efficient, and less intrusive approach, particularly benefiting paediatric patients and improving overall healthcare management. Despite substantial research and development, challenges persist, including standardizing sweat collection methods, addressing sample degradation, accounting for variations in sweat composition among individuals, optimizing diverse detection methods, improving glucose detection sensitivity, and ensuring overall commercial viability. Overcoming these challenges is paramount to bridge the gap between research and market availability, paving the way for a technological revolution in glucose monitoring. In this study, we compared potential non-invasive glucose monitoring devices and techniques to evaluate the most accurate, pain-free, fast, and cost-friendly device. Upon examination and survey, we have theorized the drawbacks persisting in the existing devices and hypothesized techniques. Looking forward this study has a broader application in not only understanding the limitations and creating more accurate devices but also in continuous glucose monitoring for diabetic patient care.