健康英语新闻:New blood sugar test sensor : Just tears not blood

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhuanet) -- A new device is being developed by American engineers to ease pain of blood sugar testing in diabetics, according to foreign media report last week.

The upcoming device is the research target of a team of engineers at Arizona State University. It is specifically designed for patients with type1diabetes and type2 diabetes, according to a report in the "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology," 

The traditional method of testing blood sugar levels involves painful pricks on the fingers to draw blood for testing. The inconvenient and painful process may somehow leave diabetics lax in their testing. The blood sugar levels, when poorly controlled, are very likely to trigger complications including heart disease, kidney disease and retinopathy.

Unlike the old testing method, the new device could help people keep track of their blood sugar levels without the need to break the skin. It draws tears to measures the blood sugar levels in the fluid and gives just an accurate reading of blood sugar levels.

"This new technology might encourage patients to check their blood sugars more often, which could lead to better control of their diabetes by a simple touch to the eye." said Jeffrey T. LaBelle, developer of the device.

The new testing device has drawn great interest from investors due to its promising prospects. However, it still awaits a significant amount of testing before it can hit the market.