Optical Device Continuously Monitors Glucose Levels

A continuous, non-invasive device offers a fresh approach to glucose monitoring in the acute care environment.

The GlucoLight optical continuous glucose monitor (OCGM) is intended to provide an efficient monitoring method to patients' glucose levels in real-time, effectively reducing the time spent on traditional methods of testing blood. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the device is able to measure blood glucose levels through a unique anatomic area in the skin that shows physiologic changes directly correlating to changes in blood glucose. The device samples these physiological targets every 30 seconds to track blood glucose levels to a high degree of accuracy. Real time glucose measurements are displayed continuously after an initial single point calibration.

Blood glucose monitoring has been called "the next vital sign,” linking elevated levels with complications for all patients following surgery. Intensive glucose control protocols, including the "Portland Protocol” developed by Dr. Anthony Furnary of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (Portland, OR, USA) have been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity and reduce infections in post cardiac surgery patients. The GlucoLight OCGM monitor is under development by GlucoLight (Bethlehem PA, USA). The device requires regulatory clearance and is not commercially available.

"Eventually, we will miniaturize our glucose monitoring technology and develop a consumer product that will help both type I and type II diabetics better manage their glucose levels, and help decrease the complications associated with this world-wide illness,” said Ray Krauss, CEO of GlucoLight.


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