Glucose sensors are a marvel of modern science and monitoring blood sugar levels is a vital aspect of managing and preventing diabetes. They are also used for fitness reasons, to monitor energy levels and optimize performance. Many people have them to monitor individual responses to foods and help tailor dietary recommendations.

Needles Hurt

And yet... using glucose sensors means you have to stab yourself with a device on a regular basis to get benefits. They involve needles and disposable sensors that have to be placed inside the body. Stabbing yourself hurts. It's uncomfortable, inconvenient, and can be stressful, and that can deter people from using them.

Help is at hand. NTT is working on a more user-friendly way of monitoring blood sugar.

... Microwaves are Painless

Using microwaves to detect changes in the glucose concentration of interstitial fluid beneath the skin, a new non-invasive sensor developed by the company eliminates the need for needles or disposable components. The device provides continuous and accurate monitoring of glucose levels, helping users visualize their daily profiles and identify trends over time, and it does so completely painlessly. A stress-free way for individuals to track their blood sugar and make informed lifestyle choices.

A Glucose Sensor You Can Wear

Demonstrated at the NTT R&D Forum event recently held in Tokyo, the prototype sensor is miniaturized to the size of a smartwatch, so that users can wear it comfortably—so that they can forget it's there, in fact—allowing them to enjoy continuous glucose monitoring. The data collected by the sensor can then be used to offer personalized recommendations for diet and exercise, helping users lower their risk of diabetes and maintain healthier habits.

No More Waste

A huge selling point of NTT's glucose sensor prototype is that it's long lasting. No more recurring costs and waste; nothing gets thrown away, nothing is disposable, and no more physical and psychological barriers to glucose monitoring. Think of it as another of the wearable health technologies we are all used to, like GPS watches and heart rate monitors. Providing continuous, real-time data without interfering with daily activities.

Better Health Decisions

By giving users detailed information on how their glucose levels respond to different foods and activities, the device can help them to make proactive changes. For example, users might discover that specific foods always lead to blood sugar spikes; knowing how they will react to those foods, they can then make appropriate adjustments to their diets. The device could also help users identify exercise routines that stabilize glucose levels.

A Healthier Society

Beyond the implications for individual users, on a societal level the technology could help shift the focus of care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. By giving users the tools to monitor and manage their health independently, NTT's non-invasive glucose sensors could reduce the burden on healthcare providers and lower costs associated with diabetes care.

It's got the potential to become a transformative tool in healthcare. Whether used as part of a broader health initiative or as a standalone solution, the sensor could improve outcomes for millions of individuals worldwide. NTT plans to have devices on the market within three to five years.

A smart, sustainable solution for a healthier future.

For more details of the NTT R&D Forum event, please see this website:
https://www.rd.ntt/e/forum/2024/

For further information on NTT's non-invasive glucose sensor technology, please see:
https://www.rd.ntt/forum/2024/doc/G09-01-e.pdf

If you would like to contact a member of NTT's R&D team, please see:
https://tools.group.ntt/en/rd/contact/index.php

NTT—Innovating the Future

Daniel O'Connor

Daniel O'Connor joined the NTT Group in 1999 when he began work as the Public Relations Manager of NTT Europe. While in London, he liaised with the local press, created the company's intranet site, wrote technical copy for industry magazines and managed exhibition stands from initial design to finished displays.

Later seconded to the headquarters of NTT Communications in Tokyo, he contributed to the company's first-ever winning of global telecoms awards and the digitalisation of internal company information exchange.

Since 2015 Daniel has created content for the Group's Global Leadership Institute, the One NTT Network and is currently working with NTT R&D teams to grow public understanding of the cutting-edge research undertaken by the NTT Group.