Showcasing the Best of Welsh Business

DEFAULT GROUP

Afon Technology’s Glucowear™ and The Imperative of Blood Sugar Awareness for All

B - Original Content
SHARE
,

In the realm of global health challenges, diabetes has long held a prominent position, with its prevalence steadily escalating. Type 2 diabetes, accounting for a staggering 90% of diabetes cases, has become a focal point, constituting a substantial burden on individuals and healthcare systems alike. The complications arising from uncontrolled blood sugar levels are severe, ranging from life-limiting conditions to potentially fatal outcomes, underscoring the urgency of effective management strategies.

While Type 1 diabetes remains incurable, advancements in clinical care, medical technology, and lifestyle modifications have enabled effective management. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes, primarily rooted in insulin insensitivity due to genetic and lifestyle factors, offers opportunities for proactive intervention. Managing Type 2 diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments, medications, and crucially, blood sugar monitoring.

A notable player in the quest for accessible blood sugar monitoring is Afon Technology, whose innovative Glucowear™ technology is positioned to revolutionise continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The question then arises: should the wider population be paying attention to their blood sugar levels, and how can advancements like Glucowear™ play a role in this awareness?

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the range of serious health conditions linked to elevated blood sugar levels—heart attacks, strokes, dementia, kidney failure, loss of sight, limb amputation, nerve damage, and gum disease, to name a few. While diabetes has traditionally been the focus of blood sugar management, a shift in perspective is emerging—one that recognises the broader implications for overall health.

The notion of prediabetes, characterised by elevated average blood sugar levels below the diabetes threshold, serves as a critical warning sign. Identifying individuals with prediabetes allows for targeted healthcare efforts, potentially preventing the progression to full-blown Type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. However, a challenge lies in the fact that prediabetes often goes undetected, as individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms until the condition advances.

Recognising risk factors such as being overweight, reduced physical activity, high blood pressure, and genetic predisposition is crucial in the early identification of prediabetes. Contrary to common misconceptions, prediabetes and diabetes can affect seemingly healthy individuals, making early detection and intervention essential.

According to Diabetes UK, 2.4 million people in the UK are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, contributing significantly to the NHS's annual spending of around 10% of its budget on diabetes-related care. The proactive approach advocated by healthcare experts emphasises the importance of prevention over cure—a mantra that aligns with the essence of Afon Technology's Glucowear™.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) have emerged as powerful tools for individuals to monitor their blood sugar levels in real-time. Afon Technology believes that CGMs, particularly the revolutionary Glucowear™, can empower those with prediabetes to make informed choices and potentially prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Currently, the only CGMs available are at best minimally invasive, using a small needle to introduce a sensor under the skin. Sensors need to be changed frequently and can cause discomfort; all factors that can deter people from their use.

The ideal solution is a non-invasive CGM that allows users to track their blood sugar fluctuations, in real time and without piercing the skin. That’s why Afon Technology are on a mission to bring Glucowear™ to the market.

The device's non-invasive nature, utilising safe, ultra-low power RF/microwaves for blood sugar measurements, sets it apart in a landscape where existing CGMs often involve discomfort and frequent sensor changes.

The wearable wrist device offers users the ability to track blood sugar fluctuations seamlessly. The real-time feedback provided through a smartphone companion app equips individuals with the knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices. By checking their Glucowear™ before and after meals, exercise, and other daily activities, users can understand how their choices impact blood sugar levels, fostering a proactive and preventative approach to health.

As Afon Technology endeavours to bring Glucowear™ to the market, the prospect of a non-invasive CGM becomes a catalyst for a cultural shift towards blood sugar awareness. The technology not only addresses the needs of individuals with prediabetes but also aims to empower the wider population to prioritise their blood sugar levels, leading to healthier and more informed living.

In conclusion, the question of whether the wider population should pay attention to their blood sugar levels is not just a matter of personal health; it's a collective imperative for societal well-being. With advancements like Glucowear™ at the forefront, the narrative around blood sugar management is evolving from reactive medical care to proactive, preventative measures. Afon Technology's innovative solution may well be the key to unlocking a healthier future for individuals and healthcare systems alike.

SHARE

Afon Technology, is a small team based in South Wales tackling one of the biggest technology challenges in the world of diabetes: non-invasive, continuous, blood glucose monitoring.

The team headed up by founder and microwave engineer, Dr Sabih Chaudhry is on a mission to develop the world’s first truly non-invasive continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Glucowear®. The wearable device will sit on the underside of the user’s wrist and using very low-powered frequency waves will measure blood glucose levels which will then be communicated back to a companion app on the user’s smartphone.

Game-changing technology
Dr Chaudhry has been dedicated to bringing this much-needed technology to life for many years but it was only in 2015 that he was able to secure substantial investment to allow him to build up a team to help with this hugely challenging feat. It was whilst working on a cancer treatment technology also using low-powered RF/microwaves that Dr Chaudhry had what he calls his ‘Heath Robinson’ moment with a friend when they realised that microwaves could be used to detect changes in biological constituents.

Afon Technology now employees a number of highly skilled and experienced engineers and regulatory experts who are working together to bring this device to market. The company has been recognised on a number of occasions for its innovative and ground-breaking work, most recently by being awarded a European Innovation Council Accelerator Grant of €2.4million. The company is currently preparing the device for further clinical trials in order to secure CE marking.

Meeting the challenge
Diabetes is a global pandemic with 537 million adults living with the condition, a number predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030. In Wales alone, caring for people with diabetes costs NHS Wales £500 million per year.

Diabetes technology and treatment has come a long way in the last 100 years with current CGMs enabling people with diabetes the ability to self-manage their condition with much more control and information. However, at best they are minimally invasive and not accessible to all living with diabetes. Health complications due to poorly managed diabetes are serious and can be life threatening. A truly non-invasive glucose monitoring device is what so many of the diabetes community and healthcare professionals have been waiting for.

The scale of this challenge is obvious and a number of the ‘big’ tech giants haven’t even been able to come up with a solution yet. The team at Afon is excited and hopeful that they will be able to say the very first ‘non-invasive CGM’ was developed in Wales.
 

Related Articles

.

Afon Technology

 

Business News Wales