Breathalyzers for Diabetes' Patients Measures Acetone Levels

The American Association of Diabetes Educators came out with finger pricking as a way to help more suffering from diabetic conditions measure insulin levels in the convenience of their own home. However, many health officials note via surveys and studies that finger pricking multiple times a day is not only painful but it can create calluses and may be difficult for those who have visual or dexterity limitations from the disease.

Yet researchers from Western New England University think they may have discovered an easier solution to monitor blood glucose. According to lead study author Dr. Ronny Priefer and colleagues, who presented the first functional breathalyzer for diabetes at the Nov. 13 session of the 2013 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) annual meeting in San Antonio, Tex., the key to easier tests are through measuring the acetone levels in the breath of people with diabetes.

"Breathalyzers are a growing field of study because of their potential to have a significant positive impact on patients' quality of life and compliance with diabetes monitoring. What makes our technology different is that it only accounts for acetone and doesn't react with other components in the breath," said Priefer, via a news release. "The breathalyzer we currently have is about the size of a book, but we're working with an engineer, Dr. Michael Rust at Western New England University, to make it smaller, more similar to the size of a breathalyzer typically used to detect blood alcohol content levels."

Researchers worked to develop the noninvasive nanotechnology device that produces monitoring results and present blood glucose monitoring technology.

This new technological device, which researchers hope to be available in approximately two years, is about the size of the average book. Currently, the study authors are preparing a smaller model that could be easy for patients to use during clinical trials.

Limitations of the device include possibly inconsistent results due to variation caused by humidity in patients' breath.