Non-invasive Afon blood glucose monitor makes vital accuracy breakthrough

Numerous companies have been toiling away on one of the supposed “holy grails” of diabetes management: A painless non-invasive continuous glucose monitor. Millions of people with diabetes have to resort to pricking their fingers to produce accurate blood sugar level measurements; however, not only do many find this procedure to be painful, it can also lead to a build-up of scar tissue and loss of sensitivity in the area. Afon Technology is one of these firms working on a solution to these problems, and it has shared some “exciting news” about its wearable sensor.

In a recent post on Twitter, the company described how the Afon non-invasive CGM had been faring against other methods for measuring blood glucose (BG) levels:

In-house testing of our wearable and non-invasive blood glucose monitor is producing accuracies on a par with minimally invasive devices currently on the market.

Obviously, accuracy is the key goal for any of these companies working on a pain-free non-invasive method of measuring blood sugar levels, as misreadings could result in serious and life-threatening complications for the user, especially if actual levels indicate a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemic (high) state. Certification as a medical device is also crucial for these healthtech companies, so Afon will be hoping that its sensor delivers the goods.

Not long ago, Afon also hinted that its needle-free sensor had made good progress in its R&D phase, with a Twitter post teasing “coming soon…” for what the company describes as “a game changer in glucose monitoring”. The Afon sensor can be worn with or without a watch and takes readings without breaking the skin. There are no replaceable parts either, and the non-invasive CGM is also sized in a discreet manner.

Possible costs and release date for the monitor have not been published, but Afon will be well aware of the potentially vast financial rewards coming to those firms that manage to produce the most-accurate and safe non-invasive CGMs that banish the need for needles.

Buy Dexcom G6 adhesive patches on Amazon