http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/new-implantable-sensor-1103.html
MIT scientists are developing injectable and embeddable carbon nanotube sensors that can monitor blood sugar levels, inflammation, and other health issues. The continuous monitor can stay in a person’s body for up to a year.
Researcher Nicole Iverson wrapped carbon nanotubes in DNA sensitive to nitric oxide and made two types of sensors. One is injectable for short-term monitoring of problems such as a reaction during surgery. The other is implanted for long-term monitoring of cancer, diabetes or immune reactions to artificial joints.
The next step will be to link the nanotube sensor to a medical device, such as an insulin pump. The sensor would be implanted under a person’s skin, detecting blood glucose levels. The nanotubes would fluoresce when exposed to certain levels of glucose, and the light could signal the pump to start working and release insulin.
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