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It is only slightly thicker than a capillary line and inserted through the catheter that the patient already has in the arm. At Gløshaugen's laboratory in Trondheim are Nicolas Elvemo and Parvinder Dhillon. They are very worried about the invention, which recently gave them $ 23 million in EU support.
The technology is intended for critically ill patients and consists of a hydrogel biosensor. The hydrogel is located on the tip of the optical fiber, and that is the length of this gel that indicates how it means blood sugar.
– Insulin is used in intensive care units where it also measures blood sugar. We are giving them a tool to make it a lot more effective than today, says Glucoset's entrepreneur and general manager, Nicolas Elvemo.
The reason that many need insulin on the intensive or operative table is that we have a fluctuating blood sugar. so sick.
Not a product of diabetes
Elvemo explains that the hydrogel is like a three-dimensional network of receptors that bind the molecule molecules at both ends.
– When the glucose level of the gel increases, each molecule of glucose binds to two receptors and the gel is collected. "
The binding between the receptor and the sugar is reversible down.The change in length occurs in seconds, and because this occurs on the tip of an optical fiber, one can transmit the light through the fiber Then the light is reflected again in the fiber
Glucoset
- A Norwegian medical technology company from NTNU was founded in Trondheim in 2011.
- Developed a sensor to measure blood sugar in critically ill patients.
- Has 11 employees, one of which is a great growth from 2016 when they were only three.
- In May, they received the amount up to $ 23 million from the EU's Horizon 2020 program, which is reserved for the most promising SMEs and will help to create new businesses.
– Some light comes from the fiber and light fabric comes from the gel tip, and these two waves Its bright interferes with each other in the fiber on the way to our light sensor. The degree of interference we use to calculate the length changes in the tip with nanoscale sensitivity, says Elvemo.
He points out that technology not is for people with chronic diabetes but for the treatment of intensive patients. It shows that about three quarters of patients in the intensive care department receive insulin.
In a short time, they will undertake studies that will probably confirm what they have already accomplished, namely that technology will help save lives. and prevent complications in operations.
– We have not yet done your own studies, but you look at other studies done with very frequent measurements, so we assume that we get complications that can occur with about 30%. Maybe the mortality will go down by ten percent. It is difficult to give exact figures, "says Elvemo.
Moved from Silicon Valley
Two years ago, Glucoset had only three employees, and today they are 11. Elvemo and Elvemo received, among other things, Parvinder Dhillon, chief technology officer of the company.He came to Norway from Silicon Valley last year solely because of the work that he was offered in Trondheim.Dhillon has experience with several successful medtech start-ups and has worked throughout the career on the implementation of advanced technologies in medical equipment.
– For me, Glucoset is a good opportunity to move forward and help the company to go to the state
Dhillon helped develop a range of products currently on the market, such as intravascular ultrasound (image of the heart's blood vessels in the interior, red.anm.)
He firmly believes that Glucoset's technology The fact that we can measure blood sugar levels quickly and accurately in real time with a device without moving parts makes it a very safe and credible method, "said Dhillon.
– Have you ever seen anything like this?
– No, and I was pissed off myself because I did not have it myself, said Dhillon laughing.
23 million support
In mid-May this year, Glucoset learned that they were receiving 23 million Norwegian kroner from the EU. As one of about 50 companies among more than a thousand applicants, they now receive grants from the EU Horizon 2020 program.
– We have recently received many requests from investors. EU money naturally leads to a reduction in the total capital requirement we need. Elvemo compares the blood glucose measurements made today in the intensive departments and is driving in real time on the highway. where you try to keep the speed constant just by looking at the meter from time to time.
– Then the speed will go up and down if the terrain is hilly. Having a real-time follow-up will let you know as soon as you are beyond the limits. This makes it much easier to control blood sugar levels, he says.
In contact with several hospitals
Glucoset is now in contact with several hospitals in several European countries. Everyone has shown great interest in the product developed in Trondheim. Everything from hardware and software development to product design and testing is done here.
The company recently signed intentional agreements with several
– They are all ready to test and are willing to pay for our product. Now, it's up to us to be able to deliver the technology. However, we can not sell products until they have been tested, says Elvemo.
They were also contacted by a Norwegian hospital. What can not he say today?
– It's always fun when hospitals contact us to find out if we can sell them the product we've developed. He shows that there is great interest, he says.
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