A non-invasive device for measuring blood glucose levels in people with diabetes has been developed by the University of Technology Sydney, which could supersede painful traditional ways of sampling blood.

Professor Hung Nguyen of the Faculty of Engineering and his team have named the ground-breaking hypoglycaemia monitor Hypomon.

According to Professor Nguyen most severe hypoglycaemia episodes occurred during sleep and that early detection was vital for saving lives.

He said Hypomon now offered patients with diabetes a painless way to identify hypoglycaemia episodes early.

"Hypoglycaemia, or abnormally low blood glucose, is a potentially life-threatening diabetic condition that left untreated can lead to coma and death," Professor Nguyen said.

"It is the most common complication experienced by patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or Type 1 diabetes.

"Many IDDM patients cannot recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, particularly at night. Our device is ideal when continuous monitoring is required.

"There is no comparable non-invasive monitor currently in the marketplace that identifies hypoglycaemia conditions using physiological parameters such as skin moisture and heart signals."

Hypomon is attached to a sleeping patient by means of electrodes while a portable microprocessor monitors physiological indicators such as sweating and heart rate. When these vital signs change in response to hypoglycaemia, an alarm alerts the patient, carer or parent.

Professor Nguyen said plans were underway for a more advanced "wireless" model that would also include electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring of brain activity.

"With minimal modifications, Hypomon could also be used for monitoring babies susceptible to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome," he said.

See the full story in UTS News online.