Diabetes-monitoring Nanoparticle Tattoos

Posted by Queuebot in Medicine, Science & Tech, Tattoo, Etc. on February 13, 2009 at 6:13 am


Diabetics monitoring their glucose levels may soon put the days of painful finger-sticks behind them. Instead, they can go through the one-time ordeal of getting inked with a nanoparticle tattoo. Heather Clark, a scientist at Draper Laboratories, has developed a nano ink particle that constantly samples glucose levels in the skin. Injected subcutaneously, the ink changes color in response to glucose content.

The nano ink particles are tiny, squishy spheres about 120 nanometers across. Inside the sphere are three parts: the glucose detecting molecule, a color-changing dye, and another molecule that mimics glucose.
…
If the molecules mostly latch onto glucose, the ink appears yellow. If glucose levels are low, the molecule latches onto the glucose mimic, turning the ink purple. A healthy level of glucose has a “funny orangey,” color, according to Clark. The sampling process repeats itself every few milliseconds.

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by tempeh.


Previous post
this post? Please Email this               
Next post

Tags: , ,


FUN PRODUCTS FROM THE NEATORAMA SHOP:


COMMENT

18 comments to "Diabetes-monitoring Nanoparticle Tattoos"

  1. lurky
    February 13th, 2009 at 7:08 am

    I´m a diabetic, and this is fuckin awesome! Sign me up!

  2. The Manticore
    February 13th, 2009 at 7:24 am

    *chugs more Dew* would be the best tattoo ever!! c'monnn Diabeetus!

  3. theturbolemming
    February 13th, 2009 at 7:41 am

    Yaaay! A *good* article from the upcoming queue!

  4. Gail Pink
    February 13th, 2009 at 9:17 am

    This actauly sounds like a great idea to me. As long as it does what it's meant to do.

  5. nihil
    February 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am

    Hopefully, if this comes to fruition it will help diabetics better control their blood glucose levels. It's my experience that there are some diabetics that are in the mindset that "If I don't see it happening then I'm OK." Perhaps having a constant visual reminder of their range blood glucose levels will cause them to better associate controlling it. The first hurdle is testing and monitoring, and getting a non-compliant diabetic to do that can be a very trying thing to family and loved ones. Although, I can see a problem with older people and cataracts because they cause things to look brown but otherwise this just rocks.

  6. Edward
    February 13th, 2009 at 10:02 am

    Whoa! Color changing tats! Is that neat or what?

  7. Johnny Cat
    February 13th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Very cool!

  8. Another Tim
    February 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Reminds me of the Tes-Tape I had to use in the 70's and early 80's. With Tes-Tape, you urinated on it, and the sugars in your urine would change the color of the tape. After about 30 seconds - 1 minute, you compared the color of the tape to a chart on the Tes-Tape container to determine about what your blood sugar was. Yes, I know--it was a SWAG, but it was the best thing we had until the blood glucose monitors had home-use models.

    I wonder if there is a power consumption and, if so, how that power will be replaced.

    Also, I will wait to get this until it can be as accurate as my glucose monitor. For instance--"oh, my tattoo is yellow; how much insulin should I give to get it into the 'funny orangey' zone and not dip into the purple?"

    It is a good concept though. In the meantime, I will continue using my glucose monitor, or try to get the thing that attaches to my stomach and broadcasts my blood sugar to my insulin pump every 15 minutes (MiniMed/Medtronic engineering).

  9. teknocholer
    February 13th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    I can see the technique being used to monitor other medical conditions. Eventually, to avoid clutter, we will all just get a simple "CHECK BODY" tat.

  10. eni
    February 13th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    This has the potential to be totally awesome. It would be helpful, too, in case a diabetic were to pass out. Friends or family, or even hospital staff (if it gets good enough, one day) could easily monitor their blood sugar levels through this.

    The only thing I'm curious about is how long this ink-stuff is good for. Regular tattoos fade over the years. I'm sure this must lose its effectiveness or accuracy at some point.

  11. Dan Smith
    February 13th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    i don't care about diabetics (sound harsh i know, i'm just playin)

    the important thing i read in this article is indeed "color changing tattoo. I want to get a chameleon tattoo in nanoparticle ink.

    i might just have to change my plan of only getting black tats.

  12. belled27
    February 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    I am there! Sign me up. I hope this truly comes to fruition. I will be asking my artist about it the next time I am at the shop.

  13. stilledlife
    February 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Woah, I want one. As a Type 1 I've always thought about getting a medical alert tattoo, but if it also reads my sugars and help me monitor my insulin reaction I'm going to get it!

  14. Noelegy
    February 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    As a tattooed diabetic, this is one of the truly "Neatest" things I've read on this site! Thanks for sharing. :)

  15. Joe H
    February 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am

    I'm gonna need to know where I can get this done.

  16. violet
    February 14th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    'spensive I bet. but awesome.

  17. Vicky
    February 16th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    This is awesome! Now I have the most stylish disease ever! :)

  18. Henry J
    May 4th, 2009 at 12:35 am

    Hi, can I distribute this awesome item in China?


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Neatorama Comment Policy
You don't have to register or login to comment, but it's easier if you do so. Comments aren't censored, but those that are abusive or off-topic may be edited or deleted.


Stay updated on the comments with Comment RSS