Scientists from Tokyo University of Science have announced that it is a new sensor designed to fit inside diapers to generate the electricity it needs to run directly from urine using a biofuel cell.
The device also measures glucose concentrations, allowing health care providers to monitor the wearers for diabetes, while generating the power needed to work using urine. Scientists say urine glucose levels are directly related to blood glucose levels.
The university revealed that the sensor is completely self-powered and does not require a battery to run the electricity, as it uses urine as fuel. Usually, checking blood glucose levels involves needles and taking blood drops for immediate testing using expensive test strips and glucometers.
The advent of a self-powered biosensor that can be placed in a diaper is seen as an important advance for medical care, as they can be used by both skilled medical personnel and those without medical training to treat diabetes, a common disease. to be monitored remotely.
A sensor of this type is considered extremely important in monitoring blood sugar levels and in avoiding blood draw for diabetes care.
Scientists say the sensor could be used to monitor both diabetics and people with pre-diabetic conditions. While diapers are usually associated with babies, some adult diabetics are unable to get out of bed and wear diapers due to injury or age.
According to the university, the sensor uses electrochemistry to generate electricity from urine. Researchers developed a paper-based biofuel cell that uses a reduction-oxidation reaction to reduce electrical power based on glucose in the patient’s urine. A special electrode has been created that serves as a conductive base material for the wearable sensor using carbon graft polymerization to embed glucose-reactive enzymes and mediator molecules.
At the time of this report, there is currently no indication when the sensor may be available for commercial use. The electricity generated by the biosensor powers a Bluetooth Low Energy transmitter that wirelessly transmits the measured glucose concentration to a smartphone. Researchers note that it can collect data very quickly to read in about a second.
