Non Invasive Tear Fluid Glucose Sensor Photonic Crystals

描述（由申请人提供）：该I期研究和开发计划将开发用于泪液的新型实时无创（或微创）葡萄糖比色传感器。这些传感器基于匹兹堡大学最近发明的新型光子晶体化学传感材料。这些光子晶体传感器使用纳米颗粒阵列来吸收可见光。衍射光的波长和视觉感知的颜色可用于确定葡萄糖浓度。这种葡萄糖传感材料将用作接触透镜的传感元件，以及设计用于下眼睑下的眼插入物。患者将通过利用简单的光谱仪装置来确定他们的葡萄糖浓度。观察到的衍射波长报告了患者的泪液葡萄糖浓度。由于泪液葡萄糖浓度跟踪血糖浓度，因此泪液葡萄糖测量确定血糖浓度。我们将优化这些传感器材料的响应度，并开发制造方法，将传感材料纳入隐形眼镜和眼插入型设备，这些设备将在该计划的第二阶段在动物和人类中进行测试。这些微创泪液葡萄糖传感器将彻底改变糖尿病患者的血糖控制。这些设备将允许无痛、连续、廉价地监测葡萄糖水平，这将显著增加患者葡萄糖监测依从性和糖尿病的长期健康后果。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase I research and development program will develop novel, real-time, noninvasive (or minimally invasive) glucose colorimetric sensors for tear fluid. These sensors are based on new photonic crystal chemical sensing materials recently invented at the University of Pittsburgh. These photonic crystal sensors use arrays of nanosclae particles to diffract visible light. The wavelength of light diffracted and the color perceived visually can be used to determine the glucose concentration. This glucose sensing material will be utilized as the sensing element of a contact lens, as well as an ocular insert designed for use underneath the lower eyelid. The patients will determine their glucose concentration by utilizing the simple spectrometer device. The observed diffraction wavelength reports on the patient's tear fluid glucose concentration. Since the tear fluid glucose concentration tracks the blood glucose concentration, a tear fluid glucose measurement determines the blood glucose concentration. We will optimize the responsivity of these sensor materials and develop fabrication methods to incorporate the sensing material in contact lenses and ocular insert-type devices which will be tested in Phase II of this program in animals and humans. These minimally invasive tear fluid glucose sensors will revolutionize glycemic control for patients with diabetes mellitus. These devices will permit painless, continuous, inexpensive monitoring of glucose levels, which will dramatically increase patient glucose monitoring compliance and the long term health consequences of diabetes mellitus.