Skin patch that may cut need for blood tests

A NEW skin patch could help people monitor their health conditions without regular blood tests.

Scots scientists have created a wearable sensor that monitors the chemical composition of sweat and could pick up problems in patients with diabetes or other conditions such as kidney disease.

The small patch is designed to be worn on the wrist and upper part of the hand.

It can transmit information wirelessly, and without external power, to a smartphone app, which could allow doctors to monitor patients’ health conditions remotely.

Some patients with diabetes need regular monitoring of their blood glucose levels to allow them to control the condition and decide what to eat or what dose of medication to take.

This currently involves a pin-prick test to draw blood. The skin patch has been created by a team of scientists from Glasgow University’s School of Engineering.

The research was led by Professor Ravinder Dahiya, head of the school’s bendable electronics and sensing technologies group.

He said: ‘Human sweat contains much of the same physiological information that blood does.

‘Its use in diagnostic systems has the significant advantage of not needing to break the skin in order to administer tests.’ Professor Dahiya added: ‘We’re planning to add sensors capable of measuring glucose and urea, for example, and ultimately we’d like to see a system ready for market in the next few years.’

High levels of urea mean the kidneys are not working properly, while high levels of ammonia could indicate a problem with the liver.

The research is published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.