The NovioSense device is initially expected to be worn continuously for two week stretches, thanks to a soft coating around the unit that absorbs and swells from tears, helping to keep it comfortably next to the eye.
The device has yet to receive regulatory approvals, but the new patent should help move the device forward. NovioSense executives said the innovation features a flexible wireless sensor system based on an electrochemical cell using a hollow coil electrode.
“The patent claims our proprietary technology platform that allows wireless measurement of biomarker levels utilizing an electro active redox enzyme system combined with near field communications found in many smart phones” NovioSense CEO Christopher Wilson, Ph.D., said. “This first patent award is a significant value creation step for NovioSense and is currently being utilized in our tear glucose sensor.”
The tiny sensor, sitting in the lower eyelid, is designed to continuously measure glucose levels in tears for those suffering from type 1 diabetes. The patent also protects the NovioSense technology for use of the flexible electrochemical sensor or the measurement of a wide range of small molecule biomarkers found in many biological fluids inside and outside of the body including blood, saliva and urine, the company noted.
“With the introduction of contactless communications capable of powering passive sensors into mainstream smartphones the opportunities to deliver exciting products for diabetics and glucose management will continue to grow. Today non-invasive glucose measurement is becoming increasingly competitive. We have found ourselves competing with multinational technology and pharmaceutical companies such as Google and Novartis,” said Wilson. “NovioSense is active in the space of connected medical sensors and we are actively seeking ways to exploit our technology base in new application domains.”
NovioSense was founded in July 2012 as a joint venture between NovioTech BV and Fraunhofer IMS. The company has raised financing from regional seed fund PPM Oost and Health Innovation Fund as well as in the form of a European subsidy as part of the InterReg IV A Telemedicine Project. The firm is developing a clinical prototype device to measure glucose levels tears and is entering clinical trials of its sensor systems for tolerance. The company is hoping to commercialize its product in 2018.