Augmenting ultrasound for continuous glucose monitoring via a wearable acoustically readable microneedle patch

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Millimolar resolution glucose detection

• Primary Outcome: Successful glucose monitoring with reversible correlation between microneedle swelling and glucose variations

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Response time: 30-60 minutes, stability: 56 days, 7-day continuous monitoring demonstrated

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

Requires standard ultrasound equipment; may be feasible in clinical settings with appropriate training Would require TGA approval for therapeutic use; potential PBS listing considerations for diabetes management; alignment with RACGP diabetes care guidelines pending clinical validation Currently limited to research applications; potential future use in diabetes patients requiring continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) represents substantial advancement, yet poses a challenge in wearable health care development. Current enzymatic CGM faces limitations in stability, cost, and durability. We introduce an enzyme-free, wearable acoustically readable microneedle patch (ARMPatch) composed of glucose-responsive hydrogel. Positioned between a standard ultrasound probe and the skin, ARMPatch acts as an acoustic interface enabling CGM using conventional ultrasound. Its hydrogel microneedles minimally penetrate the epidermis, allowing interstitial fluid to trigger variable swelling of the microneedles in response to glucose fluctuations. ARMPatch delivers stable and selective glucose readings for up to 56 days. Glucose variations with millimolar resolution are obtained via ultrasound within a response time of 30 to 60 minutes. In vivo CGM in animal models for 7 days reveals a reversible correlation between microneedle swelling and glucose variations. Acting as "accessory" for standard ultrasound probes, this approach offers a minimally invasive, cost-effective, and long-lasting solution to non-enzymatic CGM, expanding the utility of ultrasound in wearable biosensing.

References

1. 1.Zhang, W., Xu, J., Li, X., Jang, Y., Liu, Q., Ma, W., Luo, G., Ma, M., Wang, Q., He, Y., Yuan, Q., Jeong, J. W., Meng, L., & Su, Z. (2026). Augmenting ultrasound for continuous glucose monitoring via a wearable acoustically readable microneedle patch. Science Advances. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aec3209