Kennesaw State researchers develop non-invasive blood glucose monitoring course of
3 min read
KENNESAW, Ga. |
Sep 21, 2022
As a baby, Maria Valero witnessed her diabetic father prick his finger a number of occasions a day to attract blood and verify his glucose ranges utilizing an digital monitor. She was involved concerning the invasive and painful course of however was additionally curious concerning the know-how behind the gadget.

“After watching my father undergo that, I wished to create one thing much less invasive,” mentioned Valero.
The assistant professor of data know-how in Kennesaw State’s School of Computing and Software program Engineering (CCSE) and director of KSU’s IoT as a Service Analysis Group is working to enhance the glucose monitoring course of for the tens of millions of individuals round
the world affected by diabetes.
Utilizing funding from the School and plenty of trial and error, Valero and her staff created a non-invasive course of that may determine the precise worth of blood glucose with 90{c127157336ec838945c6ce4624047756c94c121afa63bab0c7fded5faf8ea679} accuracy with out taking a blood pattern. The GlucoCheck course of makes use of gentle shone by way of human tissue, in both the ear or finger, and a small digicam to seize photographs on the opposite aspect. Valero’s staff then makes use of a mannequin to check the quantity of sunshine absorption in these photographs to find out blood glucose focus.
“Our pilot examine was very profitable,” she mentioned. “We’re enthusiastic about how this gadget will assist individuals with diabetes, which impacts about one in each 10 individuals in america.”
Valero and her staff just lately filed a provisional patent utility with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace to guard the method they created. Director of Kennesaw State’s Workplace of Mental Property Improvement Chris Cornelison helped Valero sift by way of analysis tasks around the globe to verify the GlucoCheck course of is exclusive and patentable.
“The way in which we collect and output the information is novel, and we’ll proceed to work on methods to enhance the glucose estimation mannequin,” Valero mentioned. The staff has examined the method on practically 50 individuals up to now, however earlier than submitting a full patent subsequent summer season, they’ll assess how the method works on individuals with a variety of pores and skin pigmentations and pores and skin thickness.
Valero’s college students have already created a cell phone utility and are engaged on connecting GlucoCheck to Amazon’s digital assistant, Alexa.
“I’m very lucky to have nice college students who’re extraordinarily motivated and convey a wealth of information to this mission,” Valero mentioned. “Watching them develop as researchers who wish to make a distinction on the earth utilizing know-how could be very rewarding.”
In keeping with Paola Spoletini, interim affiliate dean of CCSE, Valero’s dedication to her analysis is compounded by her dedication to her college students.
“Dr. Valero is enthusiastic about utilizing know-how to make a distinction on the earth, and he or she is an unimaginable asset to our School,” Spoletini mentioned. “Not solely is she creating cutting-edge applied sciences, however she additionally serves as a mentor and position mannequin to her college students.”
Along with her college students, Valero has labored intently with Hossain Shahriar, affiliate
professor of data know-how, and Katherine Ingram, affiliate professor of
train science. Ingram is at present researching gestational diabetes threat, and Shahriar’s analysis focuses on well being data know-how, knowledge analytics and cybersecurity. Their paper detailing the pilot examine was just lately accepted into the Journal of Medical Web Analysis, and Valero has used the information to use for extra funding.
– Abbey O’Brien Barrows
Photographs by Judy Pishnery
Associated Tales
A pacesetter in progressive instructing and studying, Kennesaw State College affords undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels to its practically 43,000 college students. With 11 schools on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the College System of Georgia. The college’s vibrant campus tradition, numerous inhabitants, robust international ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw college students from all through the nation and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral analysis establishment (R2), inserting it amongst an elite group of solely 6 p.c of U.S. schools and universities with an R1 or R2 standing. For extra data, go to kennesaw.edu.