Abstract
We have developed a portable measurement system for automatic transcutaneous blood-glucose monitoring by adopting the Suction effusion fluid (SEF) as sample. The SEF is transcutaneously sampled by sucking in a corneous layer-stripped skin with a slight invasive procedure. The glucose concentration in the SEF shows good correlation with that in serum. This automatic system consists of a main body and a suction apparatus. Each parts are easily fixed on waist and arm with belt for human usage. Glucose concentration in the SEF was measured with a miniature Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET) glucose sensor. This sensor can continually measure glucose concentration in a very small amount sample. A rotary valve for 5μl sampling, a sensor apparatus with an ISFET glucose sensor and a stirring unit, and small, low-power pumps were originally developed. They realized this automatic and portable system. The present system was applied to white rabbits during glucose loading. The glucose concentration in SEF was automatically measured every 15 minutes for about 3 hours with this automatic system, then compared with that from a different position on the same rabbit with manual suction apparatus. The each result with these procedures showed almost the same. This automatic system is expected to achieve a great contribution to managing glucose monitoring in human, such as diabetic pacients.
