NU 2017-094 Inventors
Short Description A non-invasive diagnostic platform for detecting glucose in saliva. Background The glucometer is currently the state-of-the-art technology for at home glucose detection and is based on electrochemical analytics of blood samplings. Patients prick their finger and transfer blood onto the glucose test strip. The test strip is then inserted into the glucometer, which provides a reading of the subject's blood glucose level. This test requires the uncomfortable need to prick one's finger repeatedly, which is both invasive and inconvenient for many patients, particularly elderly people and children. Technology that would enable a non-invasive glucose diagnostic platform that is inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available could offer a highly attractive alternative on the market. Abstract This novel technology has the potential to disrupt the market for in vitro diagnostics by offering patients the first reliable and non-invasive platform for glucose detection without blood pricking. The invention introduces a sustainable, water-based method to create advanced nanocomposites that exhibit enhanced peroxidase-like catalytic activity. These nanocomposites are used to detect H₂O₂, a key product in the oxidation reaction of glucose catalyzed by glucose oxidase. In combination, the nanocomposite material and glucose oxidase are easily fabricated on a test strip by inkjet-printing and used to detect glucose concentration in saliva. Glucose can be detected in any transparent fluid by dipping the test strip and observing a color change (or grayscale for color blind patients) on the strip (see figure). The nanocomposite-based test strips show great potential in detecting glucose in body fluids such as saliva, tears, and sweat. Given the established close correlation between glucose in blood and saliva, the strip is capable of detecting glucose in saliva with a level of sensitivity comparable to the glucometer. Based on the preliminary studies, the strip can detect glucose concentrations as low as 225 mg/dL with the naked eye, and efforts are underway to digitally quantify the color change to detect the targeted diabetic glucose level (130 mg/dL fasting, 180 mg/dL 2 hours after meal -- standards provided by the American Diabetes Association). In addition, researchers are developing a smartphone-based attachment/module for more automated, user-friendly monitoring of glucose readings with the capability to remotely send the results to a physician/clinic. Applications
Advantages
Publications Vinayak P. Dravid*, Vikas Nandwana, Wenyuan Huang, Yuan Li, One-Pot Green Synthesis of Fe3O4/MoS2 0D/2D Nanocomposites and Their Application in Noninvasive Point-of-Care Glucose Diagnostics, ACS Applied Nano Materials Vol 1/Issue 4, March 26, 2018 IP Status Issued US Patent 11,591,223