UC San Diego's sweat-based ring offers non-invasive glucose monitoring

Wearable ring measures glucose, ketones and other biomarkers through sweat without finger pricks

UC San Diego researchers developed a wearable ring that continuously tracks glucose, ketones, lactate, vitamin C, uric acid, and alcohol via sweat osmosis. The device transmits data to smartphones and operates for 12 hours with 2-month calibration stability per user. In clinical trials, it outperforms existing continuous glucose monitors and ketone blood meters for diabetes management. Crucially, it enables non-invasive monitoring for people who cannot sweat due to sedentary work, physical limitations, or sleep needs—addressing a key barrier for millions with type-1 diabetes.

The ring’s molecular biomarker assessment capability—unlike commercial devices that only measure biophysical signals—provides deeper health insights. Its size (comparable to a US quarter) and sweat-based sampling eliminate the need for physical exertion to initiate measurements, making it accessible for users with restricted mobility.

This advancement moves abundance for diabetes care by reducing the physical and logistical barriers to frequent monitoring. For people who cannot use traditional finger-prick tests, the ring could enable real-time health tracking without compromising daily routines. However, the device remains in clinical validation and has not yet reached commercialization. Next steps include scaling production for broader diabetes management use while confirming long-term accuracy for diverse user populations. The current focus is primarily on diabetes and nutritional monitoring applications.

Source: New Atlas