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Glucose-Sensitive Hydrogel Optical Fibers Functionalized with Phenylboronic Acid
Ali K Yetisen1,2,3, Nan Jiang2,3,4, Afsoon Fallahi2,3
1Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|February 15, 2017
Summary
This study introduces hydrogel optical fibers for real-time glucose monitoring. These fibers change diameter based on glucose levels, enabling accurate measurements via light propagation loss analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is crucial for diabetes management.
- Existing CGM methods face challenges in accuracy, invasiveness, and real-time feedback.
- Novel sensing materials are needed for improved glucose detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize hydrogel optical fibers for real-time glucose sensing.
- To investigate the mechanism of glucose-induced hydrogel fiber diameter changes.
- To establish a quantitative method for glucose measurement using light propagation loss.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hydrogel optical fibers using poly(acrylamide-co-poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate).
- Functionalization of hydrogel cores with phenylboronic acid for glucose complexation.
- Real-time monitoring of hydrogel fiber diameter changes in response to glucose.
- Analysis of light propagation loss through the fibers to quantify glucose concentration.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel optical fibers demonstrated reversible changes in diameter upon glucose complexation.
- Quantitative glucose measurements were achieved within the physiological range (e.g., 50-200 mg/dL).
- Light propagation loss correlated directly with changes in hydrogel fiber diameter and glucose concentration.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel optical fibers offer a promising platform for continuous, real-time glucose sensing.
- The phenylboronic acid functionalization enables a specific and sensitive glucose detection mechanism.
- This approach provides a foundation for developing non-invasive or minimally invasive glucose monitoring devices.
