Research at Swansea University to develop a hi-tech diabetes aid which could save patients’ lives by sending an SMS alert to emergency personnel if they suffer a hypoglycaemia attack has received a further funding boost.
The research to develop an easy to use, minimally-invasive, low cost continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system has been awarded a further grant of more than £114,600 from the Welsh Government, through its EU funded Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) programme.
The work led by Dr Vincent Teng, a nanoelectronics expert from the University’s College of Engineering, began in autumn 2011, following an initial project grant of £470,000 from the A4B programme.
The first project has already made significant progress towards a CGM device and this further funding will enable Dr Teng work to continue on a second project until the end of 2014, bringing the device closer to reality through the development of a preclinical trial prototype device.
The second project involves scientists and the state-of-the-art facilities at the University’s Centre for NanoHealth (CNH) to develop this next-generation device.
The device is based on the novel application of nanotechnology and micro-needles, and it allows painless, continuous monitoring of glucose levels that is useful in managing and controlling the disease.
The use of wireless technology will enable readings to be relayed from the sensor to a mobile device and it will also provide an emergency alert to the patient’s nominated next of kin or medical personnel if the patient is in danger of suffering a hypoglycaemia attack.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “The A4B programme is designed to harness the knowledge, expertise and facilities that exist within our academic institutions, help stimulate business ideas and launch new products and processes for the economic benefit for Wales. This project has the additional benefit of potentially improving the quality of life of millions of people suffering from diabetes.”
Dr Teng, who leads the Nanoelectronics Research Group within the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre in the College of Engineering, said: “Diabetes is a long term chronic disease that can only be controlled and not cured. The disease can lead to many health complications, even death, if it is not managed properly.
“The technology we are developing at Swansea aims to address a significant challenge for healthcare – supporting diabetics to effectively manage their own condition while not isolating them from their care providers.
“An effective monitoring system will reduce the risk of health complications associated with diabetes, enhancing the patient’s quality of life. We are delighted to receive this further funding from the Welsh Government through the A4B programme, which brings the realisation of this device and the positive effects it will have on patients’ lives a step closer.”
The monitoring system being developed at Swansea University will also have the capability to be adapted for other chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and asthma.
