Light-based technology developed for non-invasive glucose monitoring

A breakthrough in diabetes care may be on the horizon as RSP Systems, a Danish medical technology company, announced the publication of pivotal study results in Nature Scientific Reports. The peer-reviewed study validates the performance of RSP’s GlucoBeam Smart, a wearable device that offers non-invasive glucose monitoring through light-based technology — a potential game-changer for millions of people living with diabetes.

The study, titled “Calibration and performance of a Raman-based device for non-invasive glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes”, tested the device in 50 patients with type 2 diabetes over a two-day period. Participants varied in age, BMI, diabetes duration, blood sugar control levels, and treatment type, offering a broad test base for the technology.

Unlike traditional glucose monitors, which require finger pricks or implanted sensors, GlucoBeam Smart uses light to measure glucose levels through the skin. The device’s accuracy was found to be comparable to standard finger-prick blood glucose tests — but without the pain or inconvenience.

Crucially, the study demonstrated that the device could be calibrated for individual use in under four hours. Previous non-invasive approaches have required calibration periods stretching over several days or even weeks, making them impractical for widespread use. This rapid calibration was enabled through what the researchers describe as “direct electronic model transfer,” a step that could pave the way for mass production and commercial scalability.

“The published study had a robust design and showed promising accuracy results for the prototype,” said Guido Freckmann, MD, medical director & CEO of the Institute for Diabetes Technology in Ulm, Germany, and a co-author of the study. “The use of a further developed device with optimized calibration algorithms in patients' everyday lives has thus become more likely.”

Anders Weber, CEO of RSP Systems, emphasized the significance of the findings: “The publication of this data based on our GlucoBeam technology in such a prestigious publication as Nature is an important step for us. Today’s published data not only demonstrates our Raman-based technology has the ability to provide continuous, accurate monitoring but that it can do so with significantly reduced and practical pre-calibration.”

He added, “This method of algorithm transfer is the final milestone in our strategy to create and commercialize the world’s first wearable non-invasive glucose monitor for universal use.”

Diabetes currently affects more than 540 million adults globally, a figure expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Many remain undiagnosed, and the disease costs nearly $1 trillion annually in global health care expenditures.