A New Era in Blood Glucose Monitoring

Traditional wearables have accomplished simple tasks like counting steps and tracking sleep. They’ve even tackled more intricate tasks, such as detecting heart irregularities and sleeping disorders. Yet, the ongoing challenge remains to continuously measure blood sugar without the use of needles—a hurdle until now.

Continuous awareness of blood glucose levels is crucial for diabetics to avoid organ damage from high sugar levels. Traditional methods involve invasive techniques, posing challenges for the elderly and young children who must endure regular skin pricks or use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that penetrates the skin.

Interestingly, CGMs have also found favor with non-diabetics, especially those following low-carb diets to lose weight. Tech giants like Apple are keen on offering non-invasive glucose monitoring on their devices, but it hasn’t been achieved yet.

Introducing the PreEvnt Issac

Seeing the PreEvnt Issac at an event in Las Vegas left me amazed. Roughly the size of a coin, this device doesn’t optically scan your glucose levels through the skin. Instead, it analyzes volatile substances in your breath to determine markers like acetone, which relate to glucose levels.

Unlike traditional methods, you’re not confined to specific environments to check glucose levels. The convenience of wearing it around your neck or placing it in a bag makes it vastly more convenient, improving life quality for numerous users.

A Step Towards Approval

Named in honor of the inventor’s young grandson, diagnosed with diabetes at an early age, the Issac addresses the need for a painless sugar check inspired by the sweet, fruity breath hallmark in diabetics.

Initially shown at CES 2025, its legitimacy is further cemented with ongoing human trials at Indiana University, comparing its results with standard glucose measurement methods. The focus is on type 1 diabetic teens, then broadening to type 2 diabetic adults.

The trials aim for US FDA regulatory approval in the upcoming year, with the company providing updates and guidance through this novel regulatory process.

The Practical Experience

I had the chance to try out the Issac. Its disc form allows it to be worn or hung, making it accessible to children. The device reads your breath and translates it into data for its smartphone app.

While still under development, the app can alert emergency contacts, a critical feature. The app records your dietary intake over a timeline, adding a layer of management for users who might experience emergency situations due to incapacitation.

Beyond Just Metabolic Tracking

The rise in food tracking technologies raises concerns about potential food anxieties. Yet, it’s important to remember these advancements aim to revolutionize health management.

Devices like the Issac remind us of their roots in enhancing life quality for diabetes sufferers, especially children who avoid frequent painful sugar checks. While it may not yet be integrated into renowned devices like an Apple Watch, progress towards non-invasive blood sugar monitoring is underway.