International Partner Search

Innovation & Technology Offer

UK SME offers sensor for finger-prick glucose monitoring devices

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Reference Number: TOUK20180115002
Publication Date: 15 January 2018

Summary

A UK-based SME has developed a sensor for the detection of blood glucose levels that provides improved performance over existing technology. The SME is offering this technology to companies that have glucose measuring / monitoring devices for incorporation into their products. It is envisaged that the partnership will take the form of a commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Description

Diabetes is a health condition that is causing a great deal of concern both due to the long-term impacts of the condition on patients and due to the increase in number of people affected. It is a condition that requires careful, long-term management in order to prevent the vascular and neurological impacts of the condition which can cause morbidity and disability as well as premature death. Monitoring of blood glucose levels is a vital part of managing the condition.



A UK-based SME has developed an electrochemical measurement sensor for glucose monitoring devices. This sensor offers improved speed of response, reproducibility of results and sensitivity compared to sensors currently used in these devices. This improved performance will enable more accurate measurement of blood glucose levels and so more effective diabetes management. This sensor is manufactured using current techniques meaning that no change of production methodology or equipment will be required. It also means that the sensor has regulatory equivalence with currently used sensors. Patents surrounding this technology have been filed.



The SME is looking to partner with larger companies operating in the blood glucose monitoring device space. The SME is offering this technology to these companies to incorporate into their products. It is envisaged that this partnership will take the form of a commercial agreement with technical assistance. The SME will transfer this technology to the larger company partner and will assist in the integration of it into the partner's products.

Advantages and Innovations

Compared with currently available sensors, the SME's sensor technology exhibits:



•	Increased reproducibility: Electrode variations (Relative standard deviations) of less than 1% can be achieved as opposed to typically 3% in the case of screen printed macro electrodes



•	Greater sensitivity: typically 7 times or greater when compared with an analogous macro electrode



•	Improved speed of response: Measurements can be made within 100 milliseconds as opposed to seconds in the case of conventional electrodes

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

The UK SME is looking to partner with companies operating in the glucose monitoring space that either have measuring / monitoring devices on the market or in development. The SME will provide their sensor technology to the partner and will assist with integration into partners' products where required. It is envisaged that the partnership will take the form of a commercial agreement with technical assistance.