Device to Detect and Measure Alcohol in the Body

A new device is being designed to continuously monitor the presence and level of alcohol in the body and to detect alcohol abuse in critical job functions, such as those of airline pilots or those in the criminal justice system. Results will be transmitted to a remote monitoring station.

Alcohol levels are currently measured by analyzing blood samples or by applying breathalyzer tests. However, these methods have limitations for certain applications because they are not able to continuously track changes in bodily levels over time.

The new device being developed tests for alcohol levels in interstitial fluid (ISF), the fluid that surrounds cells in the body. An inexpensive laser painlessly makes four microscopic holes, or micropores, in the outer dead layer of the skin through which ISF is drawn continuously into a patch, which is tested for alcohol. The micropores are just slightly larger than a strand of human hair and a self-limiting feature of the laser allows the pores to penetrate only the outer layer of skin.

SpectRx (Norcross, GA, USA) is developing the sensor and has adapted its ISF acquisition technology for alcohol measurement. The Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CA, USA) is developing the data processing, analysis, and integration systems. SpectRx plans to commercialize the device, and also plans to develop a similar consumer device for continuous glucose monitoring.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, Bethesda, MD, USA) has extended a contract with SpectRx to develop the device. SpectRx is coordinating the development program, and the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the primary subcontractor.



Related Links:
NIAAA
SpectRx
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles