Google + Novartis Develop Smart Lenses to Measure Glucose Levels
Google’s smart contact lenses technology is one step closer to reality, with the announcement that it has partnered with Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis to develop it.
Novartis mentioned two possible uses for Google’s smart lenses – noninvasive glucose monitoring via tears and corrective vision needs. Their goal of continually monitoring glucose levels with these contacts would help type 1 diabetics, who have to check their glucose levels several times a day with pinpricks prior to insulin injections.
The lenses were first unveiled in January and use sensors sandwiched between two soft layers to measure the glucose levels in the wearer’s tears, transmitting this information wirelessly to connected smartphones. The smart contact lens technology was originally developed by Google X.
A potential approval for Google’s smart lens is still years away, but Novartis’ backing could accelerate that process with more R&D support. For more on the story, click here.
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