A breakthrough by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) may soon allow millions of people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels without drawing a single drop of blood. Researchers have developed a non-invasive glucose-monitoring system that uses light waves instead of needles — a device they believe could eventually shrink down to the size of a smartwatch.
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Their findings were published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. For decades, checking blood sugar has largely meant pricking a finger several times a day. Although wearable glucose sensors have eased that burden, they still require a tiny wire to be inserted under the skin and replaced every couple of weeks. The adhesive patches can also irritate the skin and remain inconvenient for many users.
“No one wants to puncture their finger multiple times every day,” said Jeon Woong Kang, an MIT research scientist and co-author of the study. “This isn’t just about discomfort — many people end up testing far less often than recommended, which increases the risk of serious health complications.”
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Non-invasive method based on Raman spectroscopy
The MIT team’s light-based alternative builds on more than 15 years of research. In 2010, engineers at MIT’s Laser Biomedical Research Centre showed that glucose levels could be measured non-invasively using Raman spectroscopy — a technique that identifies molecules based on how they scatter light. By shining near-infrared and visible light onto the skin and analysing the returning Raman signals, they could detect glucose in the interstitial fluid. But the early system was too cumbersome for practical use.
A major advancement arrived in 2020. Researchers discovered that they could isolate glucose signals more effectively by combining Raman light with near-infrared light from another angle, which helped filter out the “noise” from other skin molecules. This refinement significantly improved the clarity of glucose readings.
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The first version of the monitor was roughly the size of a desktop printer. Through years of refinement, the team has now reduced it to about the size of a shoebox. One key improvement was narrowing the system down to only the essential Raman bands required to measure glucose, instead of analysing the full spectrum.
“Rather than capturing over a thousand data bands, we now focus on just three,” said study co-author Arianna Bresci. “This streamlined design reduces the space, components, and cost needed for the device.”
A full reading takes just over 30 seconds, and tests show that the system’s accuracy is comparable to two currently available continuous glucose monitors worn on the body.
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“If we can deliver a truly non-invasive glucose monitor with reliable accuracy, it could transform daily life for nearly everyone living with diabetes,” Kang said.
The researchers are now working on miniaturising the scanner even further and conducting wider clinical trials. A major focus will be to ensure that the device performs consistently across all skin tones — a crucial step before any commercial rollout.
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