Sokru: Completely non-invasive glucose sensor inspired by hypo-alert dogs prepares for first clinical evaluation with type 1 diabetes patients

A Finnish company called Lakka Health has been working on the Sokru non-invasive glucose sensor for some time now, with the firm’s founder (Sami Lakka) exclaiming back in 2021 that the device would eventually deliver “disruptive innovation for diabetes monitoring”. It appears work has continued on the monitor, and it is now in the process of its first clinical trial, which is being held at the University Hospital of Bern, in Switzerland. The lead sponsor of the trial is the Diabetes Center Berne, and the aim is to find out how the Sokru wearable performs when used by patients with type 1 diabetes.

Whereas many recently reported-about non-invasive glucose monitors have gone the route of using radio frequencies to measure changes in the blood in a painless non-fingersticking manner, the Sokru uses a solution that can detect the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The problems inherent to type 1 diabetes, such as the lack of insulin production, along with cell metabolism that occurs with glucose uptake, results in VOCs entering the bloodstream that are eventually exhaled via breath or expelled via urine. By using a temperature cycle operation (TCO), the Sokru non-invasive glucose sensor can detect blood sugar drops.

It appears the Sokru blood sugar monitor has also changed its appearance, with an older image showing an apparent CGM (continuous glucose monitor) attached to the arm by a patch whereas Lakka’s website shows the Sokru as a fully wearable unit akin to a wristband or smart band. The device was purportedly inspired by hypo-alert dogs, which are capable of sniffing out volatile organic compounds and warning their owners about potential hypoglycemic episodes. The well-trained dogs can often detect glucose level changes via their powerful sense of smell but with a varying accuracy rate. Hopefully, the Sokru device will be more reliable at “sniffing” out potentially life-threatening falls in blood sugar levels.

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