Noninvasive methods of glucose monitoring

As a child, Maria Valero witnessed her diabetic father pricking his finger several times a day to draw blood and using an electronic monitor to check blood sugar levels
.
She worries about this invasive and painful process, but is also curious
about the technology behind the device.

"After seeing my father go through this, I wanted to create something
less aggressive," Valero said.

The assistant professor of information technology at Kennesaw State University's School of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE) and director of the KSU IoT Services Research Group is working to improve blood glucose monitoring for
millions of people affected by diabetes around the world.

Using the academy's funding and a lot of trial and error, Valero and her team created a non-invasive process that can determine the exact value
of blood glucose with 90 percent accuracy without taking a blood sample.
The GlucoCheck process uses light to illuminate human tissue (ears or fingers) and then captures the image
on the other side with a small camera.
Valero's team then used a model to study the amount of light absorbed by these images to determine blood sugar concentrations
.

"Our pilot study was very successful," she said
.
"We're excited about how this device will help people with diabetes, and one in every 10 people in the U.
S.
has diabetes
.
"

Valero and her team recently filed a provisional patent application with the U.
S.
Patent and Trademark Office to protect the process
they created.
Chris Cornelison, director of the Kennesaw State Office of Intellectual Property Development, helped Valero screen research projects around the world to ensure the GlucoCheck process was unique and patentable
.

"The way we collect and output data is novel, and we will continue to work to improve glucose estimation models," Valero said
.
So far, the team has tested the process on nearly 50 people, but before filing a full patent next summer, they will evaluate how well the process works
on people with different skin tones and skin thicknesses.

Valero University students have created a mobile app and are working to connect GlucoCheck with Amazon's virtual assistant
, Alexa.

"I am very fortunate that my students are very motivated and bring a wealth of knowledge
to this project," Valero said.
"It's
been rewarding to watch them grow into researchers who want to use technology to change the world.
"

According to Paola Spoletini, interim associate dean of CCSE, Valero's dedication to her research is combined
with her dedication to students.

"Dr.
Valero is passionate about using technology to change the world, and she is an incredible asset to our college," said
Spolettini.
"Not only is she developing cutting-edge technology, but she's also a mentor and role model
for her students.
"

In addition to her students, Valero works closely
with Hossain Shahriar, associate professor of information technology, and Katherine Ingram, associate professor of exercise science.
Ingram is currently researching gestational diabetes risk, and Shahriyar's research focuses on health information technology, data analytics, and cybersecurity
.
They detail that the pilot study's paper was recently accepted into the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and Valero has used the data to apply for additional funding
.