Research into noninvasive devices for self-monitoring of blood glucose
is mainly based on near-infrared spectroscopy. Such a device is parti
cularly desirable in the intensive therapy of patients with diabetes m
ellitus to achieve optimal metabolic control through frequent glucose
testing. The state of noninvasive assay technology is presented. Using
diffuse reflectance spectra of mucous lip tissue has advantages and d
rawbacks compared with tissue transmittance experiments. Different app
roaches have been proposed in the patent literature; however, current
technology requires further significant improvements, particularly wit
hin the lower normal and hypoglycemic glucose concentration ranges.