New Delhi: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have patented a cost-effective and minimally invasive glucose monitoring device designed to make diabetes care more comfortable, accurate, and affordable, officials said on Wednesday.

The device, developed by the institute's Electronic Materials and Thin Films Laboratory under Professor Parasuraman Swaminathan, combines reusable electronics and a low-power display unit with a disposable microneedle sensor patch.

According to the 2023 ICMR-India Diabetes (INDIAB) study, India has over 10.1 crore people living with diabetes. The most common glucose monitoring method—self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)—requires multiple daily finger-prick tests. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems, though less invasive, remain expensive and dependent on additional devices such as smartphones or readers.

“To address these challenges, our team developed a modular system that merges accuracy and affordability while minimizing discomfort,” said Swaminathan. “The real measure of success is when an idea moves beyond the lab to make a tangible difference—helping people avoid finger pricks and manage diabetes more effectively.”

L. Balamurugan, an IIT Madras MS (Entrepreneurship) scholar working on the project, said the device could be a “real enabler,” encouraging regular monitoring and reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs.

He added that a domestically developed CGM device would also enhance India's self-reliance in medical technology by reducing imports and creating local manufacturing opportunities.