An In-Ear PPG-Based Blood Glucose Monitor: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract

Monitoring diabetes saves lives. To this end, we introduce a novel, unobtrusive, and readily deployable in-ear device for the continuous and non-invasive measurement of blood glucose levels (BGLs). The device is equipped with a low-cost commercially available pulse oximeter whose infrared wavelength (880 nm) is used for the acquisition of photoplethysmography (PPG). For rigor, we considered a full range of diabetic conditions (non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, type I diabetic, and type II diabetic). Recordings spanned nine different days, starting in the morning while fasting, up to a minimum of a two-hour period after eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast. The BGLs from PPG were estimated using a suite of regression-based machine learning models, which were trained on characteristic features of PPG cycles pertaining to high and low BGLs. The analysis shows that, as desired, an average of 82% of the BGLs estimated from PPG lie in region A of the Clarke error grid (CEG) plot, with 100% of the estimated BGLs in the clinically acceptable CEG regions A and B. These results demonstrate the potential of the ear canal as a site for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring.

Toward the Next Generation Human–Machine Interaction: Headworn Wearable Devices

“…The primary forms of wearing these devices include spectacle frames, contact lenses, patches, helmets, and headphones. These devices are specifically engineered to offer a range of functionalities and comforts, encompassing vision correction, hearing enhancement, protection, and even entertainment. − Eye-wearable devices primarily exist in two forms: eyeglass frames and contact lenses. The frame-type device effectively enables noninvasive and convenient monitoring of blink frequency through sensors, thereby enabling timely detection of certain diseases …”

Non-Invasive Glucose Sensing Technologies and Products: A Comprehensive Review for Researchers and Clinicians

“…Despite this lim has been investigated as an NIGST for a continuous glucose monitoring wrist or forearm by VitalSpex Pro & Bioptx Band, WristTee, LIFELEAF, an Section 4.6 on product classification). More recently, proof-of-concepts measuring glucose levels using PP studied through the ear canal (Figure 7a) and fingertip (Figure 7b) [35,36,3 and Mandic [39] developed a proof-of-concept in-ear device equipped w pulse oximeter that enables continuous and non-invasive blood glucose (Sanmina by Sanmina Corp., San Jose, CA, USA)).The device utilizes an infr a PPG chip (connected to a data acquisition board with Bluetooth capability) process real-time data for blood glucose estimation. While capturing gluco a commercially available glucometer, the proof-of-concept device achieved More recently, proof-of-concepts measuring glucose levels using PPG have been studied through the ear canal (Figure 7a) and fingertip (Figure 7b) [35,36,39].…”

“…More recently, proof-of-concepts measuring glucose levels using PP studied through the ear canal (Figure 7a) and fingertip (Figure 7b) [35,36,3 and Mandic [39] developed a proof-of-concept in-ear device equipped w pulse oximeter that enables continuous and non-invasive blood glucose (Sanmina by Sanmina Corp., San Jose, CA, USA)).The device utilizes an infr a PPG chip (connected to a data acquisition board with Bluetooth capability) process real-time data for blood glucose estimation. While capturing gluco a commercially available glucometer, the proof-of-concept device achieved More recently, proof-of-concepts measuring glucose levels using PPG have been studied through the ear canal (Figure 7a) and fingertip (Figure 7b) [35,36,39]. Hammour and Mandic [39] developed a proof-of-concept in-ear device equipped with a low-cost pulse oximeter that enables continuous and non-invasive blood glucose measurement (Sanmina by Sanmina Corp., San Jose, CA, USA)).The device utilizes an infrared LED and a PPG chip (connected to a data acquisition board with Bluetooth capability) to collect and process real-time data for blood glucose estimation.…”

“…While capturing gluco a commercially available glucometer, the proof-of-concept device achieved More recently, proof-of-concepts measuring glucose levels using PPG have been studied through the ear canal (Figure 7a) and fingertip (Figure 7b) [35,36,39]. Hammour and Mandic [39] developed a proof-of-concept in-ear device equipped with a low-cost pulse oximeter that enables continuous and non-invasive blood glucose measurement (Sanmina by Sanmina Corp., San Jose, CA, USA)).The device utilizes an infrared LED and a PPG chip (connected to a data acquisition board with Bluetooth capability) to collect and process real-time data for blood glucose estimation. While capturing glucose levels with a commercially available glucometer, the proof-of-concept device achieved 82% accuracy within the clinically acceptable range.…”

“…While capturing glucose levels with a commercially available glucometer, the proof-of-concept device achieved 82% accuracy within the clinically acceptable range. Due to its stable temperature, constant pressure, consistent positioning, and universal fit, the ear canal makes it a promising, cost-effective, and scalable solution for continuous and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring [39].…”