Smart Diabetic Contact Lenses from Google

Contact lens determines the blood sugar level based on the tear fluid

01/17/2014

Google is developing electronic contact lenses that measure blood sugar levels, making it easier for diabetics to make everyday life easier. The Google X research lab is currently testing the first prototypes of the smart contact lens, which measures blood glucose levels based on tears, according to the announcement in the official Google Product Blog.

It is not without reason that Google is considered one of the most innovative companies of our time. The Group is now active in countless fields of activity. In a separate company, Google explores, for example, the possibilities for extending human life. With the now developed contact lens for diabetics, Google has once again shown how diversified the entrepreneurial activities of the Internet concern are. Although the project is currently still at an early stage, the announcement of the development details makes it clear that the path to a marketable product has already been paved.

Smart contact lens continuously measures blood sugar
According to Google, the smart contact lens has a wireless chip and a miniaturized glucose sensor embedded in the contact lens material. The built-in antenna is thinner than a human hair. With the electronic contact list, the sugar content in the tear fluid can be continuously measured. Once a second, the values ​​were recorded and could be transmitted to an external receiver, such as a mobile phone. It will also be examined whether tiny LED lights can be installed as an early warning system in the contact lens, which light up as soon as certain limits are exceeded or fallen below. Google is according to the product blog „looking for partners who are familiar with the market introduction of such products. These partners can then use our technology for an intelligent contact lens and develop apps that enable carriers and their physicians to retrieve the readings.“

Control of blood sugar level significantly simplified
Although the development of the smart contact lens is still in its infancy, Google has already completed several clinical trials that have helped improve the prototype. In the future, the contact lenses could „To open up new opportunities for people with diabetes to control their disease“, such as the hope of the responsible Google researcher, Babak Parviz. Since blood sugar levels often change during normal activities (eg exercise, eating), the regular control of blood sugar levels is of particular importance. Many diabetics have to use a special measuring device to analyze their values ​​several times a day using a blood drop taken. A very annoying procedure that can not detect spontaneous derailment of blood sugar in case of doubt.

Avoid derailment of the blood sugar level
A sudden increase (high blood sugar) or a steep drop (low blood sugar) of the blood sugar levels, however, are extremely critical to health and require immediate countermeasures. A neglected control can therefore have extremely unpleasant consequences. Here, the intelligent contact lenses could contribute to early detection of blood sugar derailment and remedy. Babak Parviz explained that Google in times when the International Diabetes Association (“International Diabetes Federation”) warned that the world is losing the fight against diabetes, which believes that the intelligent contact lenses are worth a try as a project. Now, the idea has already made it to a prototype and a market launch seems quite realistic - even if it may take a few years to go by then. (Fp)