Tattoos to Help Monitor Blood Glucose Levels?

Blood Glucose Monitoring Tattoo

What if getting a tattoo had health benefits? In a few decades, this could be the case as researchers are currently experimenting with tattoos that could help diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels. For the elderly, this discovery could be monumental as it would eliminate the need for them to use multiple finger sticks a day to check their blood sugar. As a type 1 diabetic myself, I know first hand the disadvantages to using finger sticks (inserting a needle on the tips of your fingers) up to 10 times a day. For the elderly, finger sticks are exceptionally problematic as the constant pricking of fingers creates a loss of sensation in one's fingers as one ages. Moreover, this system would provide constant glucose monitoring which is proven to me significantly more effective than testing sporadically throughout the day.

The research and experimentation of tattoos to help monitor one's blood glucose levels is being conducted by researchers Paul Barone and Michael Strano at MIT's Department of Engineering. This technology consists of nano particle ink that is imbedded into the patient's skin as a tattoo. This ink contains nanotubes wrapped in polymer that serves as a sensor to detect blood glucose levels. The monitoring device would be placed over the tattoo (this close proximity increases reliability) and would display the patient's blood glucose levels.

This new technology is different from existing constant glucose monitoring technologies for many reasons. First, the most effective existing constant glucose monitors (CGMs) must be changed approximately every 7 days. These tattoos would be effective for about half a year and the researchers are hoping to extend its lifespan. Secondly, CGM's require twice a day finger pricks in order to calibrate the monitor to increase reliability. Ideally, the technology for these tattoos would be advanced enough to not require any finger sticks. 

Although the elderly may be hesitant to get a tattoo, these tattoos can be of small size and can be placed in areas where they will not be apparent in daily life. Moreover, tattoo technology has made tattoos much safer (infection free) and relatively pain free. 

Barone, Strano, and their teams of researchers are hoping to conduct animal trials in the near future. Therefore, this technology will probably not be available for about a decade. However for current adult type 1 diabetics, this news is comforting as they can hold on to the hope that in their old age there will be technology that will allow them to avoid multiple finger pricks a day. Who knows, in the future type 1 diabetics may be identified not by their medical alert bracelets, but by their blood glucose monitoring tattoos.


For more information on different studies of these tattoos see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2225404.stm


References: http://healthland.time.com/2010/06/04/a-tattoo-to-help-monitor-blood-sugar-levels/?xid=rss-blogs