Diabetic Tattoo to Help Monitor Glucose Levels
I just read this article and was VERY excited about the prospect!!
"A special tattoo ink that changes color based on glucose levels inside the skin is under development by Massachusetts-based Draper Laboratories. The injectable nanotech ink could eventually free diabetics from painful blood glucose tests."
Even if (like CGM) it's not directly monitoring blood glucose levels, it sure seems like a safer, less invasive (and cheaper) option to CGM:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/12/diabetes-tattoo.html
"A special tattoo ink that changes color based on glucose levels inside the skin is under development by Massachusetts-based Draper Laboratories. The injectable nanotech ink could eventually free diabetics from painful blood glucose tests."
Even if (like CGM) it's not directly monitoring blood glucose levels, it sure seems like a safer, less invasive (and cheaper) option to CGM:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/12/diabetes-tattoo.html
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jaclyn on -
This is super weird!
But I dunno...I'm pretty skeptical about its actual benefits to helping tight control. It seems like a color wouldn't really be able to tell you a precise number. Could it differentiate a high of 160 from a high of 260?
I'd still prefer a traditional CGM with trend graphs myself!
But the idea behind this sure is interesting. I guess you never know where it could lead us in the future!!
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Permalink Reply by Greg on -
I would probably try it, but I think Jaclyn is right that it will be inaccurate or imprecise.
The press release talks about relief from "painful blood glucose tests." This has been a selling point for a lot of new diabetes technologies (like the failed Gluco-watch) so I suppose they have done their focus group research to find out what people don't like about diabetes. Maybe these people can go back to peeing on chemstrips. As for me, finger sticks are not really painful. Especially compared to the painful diabetic complications that could result from poor bg control.
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Permalink Reply by Scott on -
Yea, I don't know about tight control either, but is sure would be handy for folks, like myself, who are hypoglycemic unaware to be able to glance at something and at least have a general idea of what's up. I could see putting it on the inside of my wrist where it could be seen easily, not only by myself but by EMTs. Of course, I suppose we'd then have to come up with a standard tat so they would know what the heck it was...
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Permalink Reply by Leo2 on -
I like this! Shall we add it to newborns like we do silver nitrate for their eyes?
On the OTHER hand, "What carcinogens are in nanotech ink?" My 5th cousin three times removed died of Ca of the liver from being around printer's ink all her life in the 18 & 1900s!
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Permalink Reply by Greg on
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To my cousins from Massachusetts, who gloat about how "A lot of great things have come out of Boston," my standard response is, "Yeah, like United Airlines Flight 175."
There's my tasteless cheap shot against the state of Massachusetts for today, thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on -
I think it would be GREAT to look down and see actually when you need to pull out your glucometer due to a change in a small tatoo's color.., and as others have posted, less invasive and expensive than a CGM.. I wouldn't mind it at all!!! Sign me up!!!
God Bless,
Brunetta
Type1 41 Years
Insulin Pumper 5 1/2 years
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Permalink Reply by Rick Phillips on -
Manny,
I sort of got one of those. I married her 31 years ago. She goes red with fear every time I go low.
Rick
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Permalink Reply by Terrie on -
Yes, in a "Good" world this could be an asset for Diabetics. But with our imperfect world, I am reminded of the tattooed numbers on the Holocaust victims/survivors. I don't want to be a Diabetic Victim. I may die of something else but it won't be from Diabetes. So I don't need a tatt.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Conway on -
I was reading about this the other day, how exciting! I'd contemplate getting it in the shape of the dark mark haha
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Permalink Reply by Sweeter Cherise on -
Manny-
Clever ideal but I'm gonna stick to finger pricking...insurance has issue's paying for CGM's, Omnipod and stuff we really need. I can't see them paying for a Tattoo.
Cherise
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