Doha, July 27 (QNA) - Qatar University has announced the development of a smart wearable device designed to estimate blood glucose levels without the need for finger pricks or blood samples, using artificial intelligence and physiological signal analysis.

The device, named GlucoWatch, is part of an ongoing research project aimed at creating innovative healthcare solutions. It was developed by a team led by Qatar University researcher and inventor Dr Khalid Abu Al Saud, with contributions from computer engineering students Nora Al Bardini, Mazoon Al Shahwani, Fatima Al Kaabi and Sara Al Muhannadi.

A US patent application for the innovation has been published under the number US20240138776A.

Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr Abu Al Saud said GlucoWatch is an intelligent medical system that uses AI to estimate glucose levels by analyzing physiological indicators, including heart rate signals, blood pressure readings and selected demographic data.

He said the technology could provide a promising alternative to conventional glucose monitoring methods that require repeated finger pricks, allowing users to track their readings through a connected mobile application.

The system is designed to support diabetes management by providing regular glucose estimates, issuing alerts when levels are outside medically approved ranges, and allowing users to share health data with family members or healthcare providers while maintaining privacy safeguards.

The research team said the device could eventually support remote healthcare services and integration with digital health platforms.

Dr Abu Al Saud explained that the project began as a graduation project by computer engineering students before evolving into a specialized research initiative. Development stages included designing the prototype, creating AI algorithms, building the companion mobile application and conducting initial validation tests against reference measurements.

The project won a gold medal at the International Invention Fair of the Middle East, held in Kuwait in 2023.

The researcher highlighted the key role played by the student team throughout the project, from identifying the problem and designing the system to processing data, developing AI models, building the prototype and carrying out initial testing.

The team is now working on further development and wider validation, including expanding the database, improving AI models and creating an advanced version of the wearable device.

Future plans also include partnerships with healthcare and industrial organizations to transform the technology into a market-ready product, while ensuring it can be provided at an affordable cost.

Dr Abu Al Saud said investment in healthcare research and innovation supports Qatar's National Vision 2030, adding that the team aims to complete the required scientific validation and regulatory steps before bringing the technology to patients in Qatar and beyond. (QNA)