"New sugar-based sensor to detect and prevent diseases"

A team led by a scientist of Indian origin has developed an implantable sugar-based sensor capable of monitoring the body's biological signals to detect, prevent and diagnose diseases. The sensor developed by Subhanshu Gupta, an assistant professor at the University of Washington in the United States, and his colleagues use a biofuel cell and take glucose from body fluids.

The sensor, described in the IEEE Journal of Circuits and Systems, presents a unique integration of the biofuel cell with electronics to process physiological and biochemical signals with great sensitivity. Patches that are worn on the skin, which are superficial and can not be integrated, say the researchers. The sensor developed by the team could also eliminate the need to prick oneself to test certain diseases, such as diabetes.

"The human body carries a lot of fuel in its body fluids via blood glucose or lactate around the skin and mouth," said Gupta. "The use of a biofuel cell opens the door to using the body as a potential fuel," he said.

The sensor electronics uses advanced design and manufacturing to consume only a few microwatts while being very sensitive. Coupling these electronic components with the biofuel cell makes it more efficient than traditional battery-powered devices, Gupta said. As it relies on body glucose, the electronic components of the sensor can be powered indefinitely. So, for example, the sensor could work on sugar produced just under the skin, according to the researchers.

Unlike commonly used lithium-ion batteries, the biofuel cell is also completely non-toxic, making it more promising as an implant for people, he said. It is also more stable and sensitive than conventional biofuel cells.

The researchers claim that their sensor could be manufactured cheaply through mass production, taking advantage of economies of scale. While the sensors have been tested in the laboratory, the researchers hope to test them and demonstrate them in the blood capillaries, which will require regulatory approval. Researchers are also working to improve and increase the power of their biofuel cell. "This combines biofuel battery manufacturing technology with our sophisticated electronic system – it's a very good marriage that could work for many future applications," Gupta said.