Mixed Signal ASIC

How SOC is Used in Glucose Monitoring Devices

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When thinking of a medical device such as a continuous glucose monitor, you might not consider the technological advancements behind them. Technology like system on a chip, or SOC, is helping make massive improvements in the world of glucose monitoring.

Monitoring blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes is vital. Unmonitored and uncontrolled conditions can lead to complications, such as the following diseases:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Glaucoma
  • Kidney damage
  • Nerve damage

Therefore, several different ways are available to properly  monitor blood sugar, including:

  • Blood glucose meter
  • Continuous glucose monitor
  • Freestyle libre
  • Urine test

Among several effective methods, the glucose monitoring device is gaining popularity for providing real-time glucose or blood sugar readings.

However, some patients find the conventional methods quite bothersome. Thus, advances in blood sugar monitoring technology can be a game-changer.

One of them is the glucose monitoring device to monitor the blood sugar levels by measuring the interstitial glucose level. A signal travels to a monitor or a mobile app where an alert sounds if the levels become too high or too low.

How glucose monitoring devices work

Glucose monitoring devices work with the application of sensors to check how fast and in which direction the glucose levels are trending. Moreover, it can let you check your sugar levels overnight. The values of the glucose readings appear after data is transmitted to a monitor or insulin pump.

The sensor inserts into the subcutaneous tissue or just under the skin. This is quite similar to the insertion of the insulin pump catheter in the upper buttock or abdominal area.

The glucose levels in the fluid surrounding the cell are measured every ten seconds and converted into an electrical signal. These signals will represent the amount of sugar in the blood.

This device uses a transmitter that attaches to the sensor and sends a signal to a pager-sized device at a person’s belt or waistline. The system will record an average glucose value automatically every 5 minutes for up to 72 hours.

It requires 3 days before the sensor will be removed and the information will be downloaded to a computer. This will then be used to collect data and make necessary adjustments if needed.

This is quite useful to identify the fluctuations and trends that might go unnoticed with standard tests as well as fingerstick measurements. As a result, it will enable you to take action to avoid severe high or low levels before it is too late.

Technological advancements using SOC

Applications without SOC, advancements in monitoring blood sugar levels would be slower to come about. In fact, conventional glucose monitoring methods around the world are costly, invasive, painful, and time-consuming.

The research helps determine the effectiveness of using continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring. SOC technology has been useful for introducing a wearable system for monitoring glucose levels based on a single wavelength photoplethysmography. The overall system uses a 180 nm CMOS process with a chip size of 4 square mm and consumes about 1.62 mW.

Furthermore, developers are working on an ASIC chip to provide a controlled blood glucose monitor as an implantable device. This ASIC-controlled blood sugar monitor using SOC is implantable in the upper arm or wrist area of the patient.

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