New blood chemistry monitoring device could replace some traditional laboratory testing

There’s a new technology that makes it possible to continuously monitor an individual’s blood chemistry and wirelessly transmit the data. This technology uses a transdermal patch and is a different approach to clinical diagnostics with the potential to supplant some traditional medical laboratory testing.

This transdermal patch was developed by Sano Intelligence, one of San Francisco-based Rock Health’s start ups for 2012. These developments were reported in a story published by Co.EXIST.

Transdermal Patch Could Monitor Components of Basic Metabolic Panel

“Sano is building a small, wearable sensor that can capture and transmit blood chemistry data continuously to virtually any device,” stated Sano on its website. The company will test the patch in a pilot study in collaboration with a research-focused medical institution. The device could be ready to launch sometime next year, according to Co.EXIST writer, Ariel Schwartz.

Imagine having the capability to measure an individual’s blood chemistry continuously and transmit the results in real time to the patient and patient’s physicians wirelessly. That’s the vision of Sano Intelligence, which is developing a transdermal patch and sensor that can already measure glucose and potassium levels in the bloodstream. This technology could be used by clinical laboratories as part of a program of integrated medical laboratory testing for individual patients, with pathology consultations provided as appropriate. (Image by Angel.co.)

Sano’s patch sensor is compatible with 30% to 40% of today’s blood diagnostics. The non-invasive, nicotine-patch-sized device can already measure glucose and potassium levels. Soon, it will be able to monitor all the standard components of a basic metabolic panel, Schwartz wrote.

The transdermal patch has enough probes to continuously test up to a hundred different samples. The sensor is reported to cost around $1 or $2 in materials and will last for a week. Sano is currently working on making the device waterproof.

Data from the transdermal patch will be retrievable in app form via a third-party development and analytical platform, reported a story published by springwise.com. Sano calls its patch “the API (application programming interface) for the bloodstream.” The device makes blood chemistry data accessible to users on their smartphones or other mobile computing devices.

Continuously-Monitoring Sensors Could Decentralize Healthcare

The implications of continuous monitoring are significant. For example, clinical trials would no longer be limited to periodic testing of participants. Instead, clinical trial researchers could receive continuous data in real time, suggested Schwartz. Real-time monitoring of patients with chronic conditions could lead to early detection of any abnormalities.

Early intervention, triggered by alerts sent by the transdermal patch, could reduce patient trips to the physician or the hospital’s emergency department. For example, a diabetic could receive a message on his/her smartphone that warns of low blood sugar levels.

By eliminating the need to use a needle to draw blood for testing, this transdermal patch would offer a significant benefit to patients who require constant monitoring of their blood chemistry. These patients often regularly endure painful needle sticks.

According to its website, Sano co-founders, Raj Gokal, CEO, and Ashwin Pushpala, President and CTO, are self-proclaimed revolutionaries. They are out to revolutionize healthcare.

“We’re looking…to disrupt an antiquated $2.6 trillion industry focused on reactive care,” reads the Sano websites. “The revolution of connected health sensors will decentralize healthcare and permanently change how care is delivered.” The company’s mission is to make diagnostics continuous, connected, and cheap.

Sano’s Founders Want to Disrupt Existing Clinical Laboratories

With mHealth and Health 2.0 innovations like the Sano patch sensor exploding in number and functions, one revolution in healthcare could indeed be underway. In the Co.EXIST piece, writer Schwartz posed a provocative question: Could Sano’s patch one day put clinical laboratory networks like Laboratory Corporation of America (NYSE: LH) and Quest Diagnostic Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) out of business?

“If you look at the legacy leaders, we’re thankful to them, but [we] want to push to find out more,” declared Gokal in the Co.EXIST story.

It is important for pathologists and clinical laboratory managers to stay current with these developing technologies that marry forms of diagnostic testing with next-generation informatics capabilities. Across the range of these unique technologies, there will be opportunities for medical laboratories and pathology groups to incorporate the new technologies into unique models for collecting lab test data and consulting with physicians on appropriate diagnoses and therapies.

For example, continuous monitoring of the patient for specific diagnostic biomarkers, with the data fed in real time to the clinical laboratory, can create an opportunity for the clinical pathologist and the clinical chemist to provide real-time consultations to physicians and patients. This value-added should justify a different form of reimbursement for the clinical laboratory, even if the volume of traditional medical lab tests were to decline with the increased use of technology, such as the Sano transdermal patch and sensor.

—Pamela Scherer McLeod

Related Information:

No More Needles: A Crazy New Patch Will Constantly Monitor Your Blood

Big Data in Your Blood

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New Transdermal Patches Take the ‘Ouch!’ Out of Going to the Doctor

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