The Swiss medical device company, Solianis, is developing products for physiological glucose monitoring, including a non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring device. Based on impedance spectroscopy, their device uses radio waves and changes in skin resistance to monitor changes in blood composition. Solianis employs a multi-sensor approach to monitor various factors, including body temperature, microcirculation, sweat, moisture in the skin and the thickness of different skin layers as often as once a minute. The sensors use selected frequency bands to produce an electromagnetic field that interacts with the body. They then monitor changes in the properties of the monitored tissue over time. As with other continuous monitors, finger stick testing is still necessary to calibrate the device.
Solianis has tested the effectiveness of its technology in a series of clinical trials conducted at the University Hospital in Zurich since May 2006. They tested the sensors under conditions approaching daily life, i.e. normal eating, drinking and moderate movements and reported optimistic results in early 2007. Further clinical trials and downsizing of the equipment are still needed for everyday use.