A method which will allow people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose level via an image of their eye has been developed by Reading-based Lein Applied Diagnostics following consultancy work arranged by Isis’ Oxford University Consulting group.

Lein approached Dr Gari Clifford, University Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Oxford, to explore how his work in neural networks and machine learning could be applied to some of Lein’s complex datasets in order to evaluate the relationship between the data collected from the patient’s eye and their blood glucose level.

Measuring blood glucose levels is critical in the clinical management of diabetes. It helps patients and clinicians tailor the correct dosage of medication and avoid hypoglycaemic events. Monitoring is currently performed using needles that cause pain and carry the risk of infection, which can mean patients do not test themselves with sufficient frequency to detect minor but significant changes in their blood glucose levels.

Lein, a medical technology company, are developing their proprietary confocal optical technologies into a non-invasive monitoring system that patients will use by simply holding a mobile-phone sized device in front of their eye and taking a ‘snap-shot’ of their blood glucose levels.

The contract for the consultancy with Lein was arranged through Oxford University Consulting, which worked closely with both parties to ensure that all needs were accommodated and a tailor-made solution was provided.

For a number of companies seeking to gain an edge in the development of new medical technologies, the range and depth of expertise at the University of Oxford has provided invaluable support and insight.

Lein Applied Diagnostics