A group of engineers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have developed a device that is placed on the skin to simultaneously measure glucose levels and track health, taking a sample directly from cerebrospinal fluid that is very close to levels in blood. It is also able to continuously measure vital signs enabling the user to monitor their health while they go about their daily activities. What distinguishes the device from sensors that measure glucose levels is that it measures multiple signals, thus filling the imbalance in the lack of information that a diabetic needs.

Method of installation:

 The device is attached to a patch containing fine needles, each one-fifth the width of a human hair, in the upper part of the upper arm.

The method of work:

The micro-needles are connected to a patch of electronics that measures the reaction of enzymes on the tips of the micro-needles that sense biomolecules in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding cells under the skin. These interactions generate small electric currents that are analyzed by electronic sensors and through the device the results are sent wirelessly to the application on the smartphone.

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