Researchers at IIT Madras have developed and patented a low-cost, minimally invasive device that could change how millions of Indians with diabetes monitor their blood sugar. Designed to be accurate, comfortable, and affordable, the device offers an easier alternative to traditional glucose testing methods that rely on painful finger pricks.
The innovation comes from the institute’s Electronic Materials and Thin Films Lab, headed by Professor Parasuraman Swaminathan. It combines reusable electronic components and a low-power display with a disposable microneedle patch, reducing both cost and discomfort.
India has more than 10 crore people living with diabetes, according to the ICMR-INDIAB study. Most rely on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which, though effective, requires several finger-prick tests a day. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems are less invasive but remain expensive and depend on separate devices like smartphones to function.
Swaminathan said the goal was to take research beyond the lab and into people’s daily lives, helping them manage diabetes without the pain and inconvenience of current options. “If we can help someone avoid repeated finger pricks, stay within healthy glucose ranges, and prevent long-term complications, that’s meaningful innovation,” he explained.
L. Balamurugan, an MS (Entrepreneurship) scholar at IIT Madras working on the project, called the device a “real enabler.” By making glucose monitoring painless and affordable, it can encourage more frequent testing, timely medical action, and fewer emergencies or hospital visits.
He added that the device’s domestic development supports India’s broader goal of self-reliance in healthcare technology, reducing dependence on costly imports while opening new opportunities for local manufacturing and jobs.
