An algorithm that measures blood sugar through ECGs

A group of final year students from the LD College of Engineering have invented an algorithm that will bring a wave of relief to innumerable diabetes patients.

The 'non-invasive glucometer' as it is called, can measure blood sugar levels from a patient's electro-cardiogram, thereby negating the need for blood samples.

The trio, comprising Ankit Deliwala, Shridhar Vyas and Sandeep Panchal, all 21 years old, is presently trying to gauge the machine's reliability by organising free blood testing camps in the city.

"The idea is to measure blood sugar levels, both FBS (fasting blood sugar) and PPBS (post prandial blood sugar) using the conventional blood sample method. Separately, we also measure it using an ECG (electro-cardiogram) and the algorithm that we have developed. Later, we compare both the measurements, to see the level of accuracy it gives us,” explains Ankit.

The group has already held one such camp before, and are organising the next one on Sunday. "At the first camp, we tested about 100 people.

Our accuracy with diabetics was an assuring 85 to 90%. However, it was 50 to 60% with non-diabetics, and that is what we're presently focusing on", says Sandeep.

The trio plans to publish a paper on the subject after they're done with a satisfactory number of trials, and if they achieve good accuracy standards, they will look to patenting the technology and launching it officially.