Latest Google glass puts eyes on diabetes
A contact lens to help manage diabetes is the latest next-level device to leak from Google’s technology labs.
The lens is the newest product to surface from the Google[X] lab – essentially a Willy Wonka’s Factory of real life, high-tech and futuristic inventions.
The lens will help diabetic monitor their condition by way of an integrated glucose sensor and wireless chip, sandwiched between layers of the device.
The prototype being tested recently was able to generate glucose level readings from tears about once per second, allowing a normal patient to keep up-to-date on their vital levels.
Google researchers want the lens not only to watch glucose levels, but to alert the wearer in case of danger as well. The team behind the project are reportedly exploring ways to integrate tiny LED lights into the lens to light up when glucose levels have crossed above or below a given threshold.
“It's still early days for this technology, but we've completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine our prototype,” project co-founders Brian Otis and Babak Parviz said.
“We hope this could someday lead to a new way for people with diabetes to manage their disease.”
Google says it has initiated talks with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more tests, and is looking for other partners to get on board and help development.