Nanobio

at the interface of nanotechnology and life sciences

GlucoSens, glucose sensing with optical fibers

One out of 14 persons in the Netherlands suffers from diabetes mellitus. They need to continuously monitor their food intake and inject insulin, to maintain the blood glucose concentration at a desired level. If they fail to do this, the glucose concentration will be either too low or too high leading to acute severe life-threatening situations and in the longer term additional complications, such as atherosclerosis, nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy.

In this project, in close collaboration with Inreda Diabetic, the manufacturer of the artificial pancreas (AP), we aim to develop a prototype of a new innovative glucose sensor for the AP device that is faster, more accurate and can be used for a longer time. In addition, we would like to explore limiting factors regarding wearing of an external AP, especially focused on wearing comfort. If we can develop a new glucose sensor and optimize the wearing comport of the external AP, such that the AP can be integrated into the current diabetes care, this means that a patient with diabetes type 1 no more needs to monitor/regulate the glucose concentration (except the replacement of sensors and batteries, etc). This enables a better regulation of the glucose levels and reduces the chance for complications, which can therefore lead to a more normal life.

In this project you will contribute to the development of an optical fiber-based sensor prototype for rapid and reliable detection of glucose in interstitial fluid. The developed prototype, consisting of an infrared pulsed light source, optical fiber(s) and a detector/sensor, will be first tested for glucose detection in non-complex media such as water/buffer. Next, it will be validated/calibrated with complex samples, e.g. interstitial fluid and/or blood. Furthermore, it will be investigated how this sensor prototype can be applied for reliable/accurate glucose detection in interstitial fluid under the skin.

Educational programs:
- Applied Physics / Technische Natuurkunde (TN)
- Mechatronics / Mechatronica (MT)
- Applied Computer Science / Technische Informatica (TI)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Elektrotechniek (ET)

Interested, please send your motivation letter and CV before the 4th of July 2022 to
Aurel Ymeti
a.ymeti@saxion.nl