Medical Diagnostics

Smart’s next-generation sensors offer an ideal solution for the in-vitro diagnostics market. The key benefit is that the nature of the reactive holograms removes the need for regular product calibration. Diagnostic analysis is continuous, accurate and real-time.

In the case of glucose monitoring for diabetic patients, Smart is paving the way for two highly unique products for use in critical care and self-testing environments, where responsible disease management is crucial for an improved quality of life.

Critical care continuous monitoring

Current practice advises regular monitoring of patients’ glucose and insulin levels to reduce the length of stay in the intensive care unit and improve mortality rates.

The reality is up to fifteen tests every day carried out manually by nursing staff, resulting in spiralling costs for hospital trusts and additional discomfort for the patient.

Smart is developing a tailor-made product designed to remove the need for regular tests. The catheter and fibre-optic reader based sensor will be easy for hospital staff to use and detects and alerts them to changes in glucose levels.

Self-testing: home-based continuous monitoring

The primary method of self-testing is blood sampling, using a finger-prick method and analysis on enzyme based strips. The samples have to be taken regularly causing some pain and inconvenience to the patient.

Smart’s product will eradicate the need for patient intervention by providing a device worn continuously which monitors glucose levels. The sensor hologram will be embedded in the device and as it senses changes in the bloodstream, it transmits the results instantly to a reader.