Development of Hand Held Breath Acetone Monitor for Control of Type 1 Diabetes
Lead Participant:
OXFORD MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
Abstract
Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century, being a leading
cause of death in most high-income countries. There is substantial evidence that it is an
epidemic in many economically developing countries. It is estimated that 366m people have
diabetes globally costing $465bn pa (11% of global healthcare expenditure) and the incidence
is increasing[1].
Raised blood sugar, Hyperglycaemia, is common in uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads
to progressive failure of a number of the body’s systems, especially nerves and blood vessels
which can lead to severe and debilitating ulcers and potentially limb amputation.
There are two types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 (10% of diabetic popn): the absence of insulin production, managed by regular
testing of blood glucose levels (3~10 times daily) and insulin administration.
2. Type 2: insufficient production of, or ineffective use of, insulin, managed by lifestyle
changes and drugs.
There is evidence that good control of blood glucose by regular monitoring is essential in the
management of diabetes, especially Type 1[2]. However, current blood glucose monitors are
invasive, the patient extracts blood by a finger prick, which is painful and inconvenient
especially for children, and is one of the causes of poor patient compliance and sub optimal
self-management. A non-invasive blood glucose monitor would provide the incentive for
improved self-management especially in children.
OMD is developing a hand held non-invasive breath acetone monitor for Type 1 diabetics,
designed to test blood glucose levels by measuring breath acetone levels. There is clear
evidence of a correlation between the changes breath acetone and blood glucose in diagnosed
Type 1 diabetics[3,4,5]. The technology has been tested in the laboratory such that the next
development stage, miniaturisation, can proceed. The project plan is to develop a preproduction
prototype by Q4 2012 ready for use in clinical trials in 2013
cause of death in most high-income countries. There is substantial evidence that it is an
epidemic in many economically developing countries. It is estimated that 366m people have
diabetes globally costing $465bn pa (11% of global healthcare expenditure) and the incidence
is increasing[1].
Raised blood sugar, Hyperglycaemia, is common in uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads
to progressive failure of a number of the body’s systems, especially nerves and blood vessels
which can lead to severe and debilitating ulcers and potentially limb amputation.
There are two types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 (10% of diabetic popn): the absence of insulin production, managed by regular
testing of blood glucose levels (3~10 times daily) and insulin administration.
2. Type 2: insufficient production of, or ineffective use of, insulin, managed by lifestyle
changes and drugs.
There is evidence that good control of blood glucose by regular monitoring is essential in the
management of diabetes, especially Type 1[2]. However, current blood glucose monitors are
invasive, the patient extracts blood by a finger prick, which is painful and inconvenient
especially for children, and is one of the causes of poor patient compliance and sub optimal
self-management. A non-invasive blood glucose monitor would provide the incentive for
improved self-management especially in children.
OMD is developing a hand held non-invasive breath acetone monitor for Type 1 diabetics,
designed to test blood glucose levels by measuring breath acetone levels. There is clear
evidence of a correlation between the changes breath acetone and blood glucose in diagnosed
Type 1 diabetics[3,4,5]. The technology has been tested in the laboratory such that the next
development stage, miniaturisation, can proceed. The project plan is to develop a preproduction
prototype by Q4 2012 ready for use in clinical trials in 2013
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| OXFORD MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED | £552,470 | £ 248,611 |
Participant |
||
| THE TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Rob Peverall (Project Manager) |