A simple breath test could soon be a cheaper and quicker way to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes, thanks to a new device.
Researchers have developed a new sensor which measures the level of acetone in the breath, a byproduct of burning fat. Acetone levels above 1.8 parts per million can point to diabetes.
It is estimated that one in five adults in the U.S. has diabetes but are unaware they have the condition.
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Currently, people are diagnosed following a doctor’s appointment or a lab test to measure glucose in the blood or sweat, which can take longer and is more costly.
While other breath tests for diabetes are available, they still require lab analysis, whereas acetone levels can be measured on site after the individual being tested simply breathes into a bag.
Research lead Huanyu ‘Larry’ Cheng, James L. Henderson, Jr. Memorial Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, explained: “While we have sensors that can detect glucose in sweat, these require that we induce sweat through exercise, chemicals or a sauna, which are not always practical or convenient.
“This sensor only requires that you exhale into a bag, dip the sensor in and wait a few minutes for results.”
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Associate Professor Cheng said the next step is to develop the sensor so it can go on the inside of a mask, or even under the nose directly.
He also said there are plans to explore how the sensor could be used to monitor key health markers to improve outcomes, saying: “If we could better understand how acetone levels in the breath change with diet and exercise, in the same way we see fluctuations in glucose levels depending on when and what a person eats, it would be a very exciting opportunity to use this for health applications beyond diagnosing diabetes.”
Read more in Chemical Engineering Journal
