Google Creates Smart Contact That Could Change the Healthcare Industry

Dime-Sized Contact Lens Packs a Mean Punch of Digital Power

Google recently announced that they are partnering with pharmaceutical giant Novartis, to create a smart contact lens. This dime-sized lens packs a mean punch of digital power and was created to help patients manage diabetes. It is clear that Google will focus on the billions of dollars of potential revenue, accessible within the digital healthcare market.

Google Focuses on Helping People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a growing problem that affects one in every 19 people on the planet. Many people dealing with diabetes face the daily challenge of keeping their blood sugar levels under control; if they fail to do this, it puts them at risk of experiencing both short-term and long-term complications – which could potentially affect their eyes, kidneys, and heart.

Managing diabetes can be a difficult task for many people. In Google’s online blog they state, “[With diabetes], glucose levels change frequently with normal activity like exercising or eating or even sweating. Sudden spikes or precipitous drops are dangerous and not uncommon, requiring round-the-clock monitoring. Although some people wear glucose monitors with a glucose sensor embedded under their skin, all people with diabetes must still prick their finger and test drops of blood throughout the day. It’s disruptive and painful. And as a result, many people with diabetes check their glucose less often than they should.”

Scientists have tried to figure out the mystery behind working with body fluids, like tears, to try and find a better way to track glucose levels. This isn’t an easy task and hasn’t provided a clear solution.

Image: Google

Google has now begun testing a smart contact lens which can measure glucose levels in tears (on the surface of the eyelid) using a small wireless chip and mini glucose sensor which is embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. The system sends data to mobile devices where the user can view the information generated and easily stay informed. The contact may be able to produce a reading once per second. Eventually, Google hopes to incorporate an alert system into the lens; one that has the ability to light up when glucose levels are too high or too low for the wearer. They are looking into using tiny LED lights for the alert system and are still in the early stages of testing.

When Will the Contact Be Released?

Google said, “We’re in discussions with the FDA, but there’s still a lot more work to do to turn this technology into a system that people can use. We’re not going to do this alone: we plan to look for partners who are experts in bringing products like this to market. These partners will use our technology for a smart contact lens and develop apps that would make the measurements available to the wearer and their doctor. We’ve always said that we’d seek out projects that seem a bit speculative or strange, and at a time when the world is “losing the battle” against diabetes, we thought this project was worth a shot.”

Bravo to Google for putting in some serious effort to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with diabetes. This technology could offer a more simple approach to measuring their glucose levels and could also ease the stress from people’s minds (who normally have to constantly remember to do it on their own).

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Source: Google Blog