Mayo Clinic, Gentag to Develop Wearable Biosensors for Obesity, Diabetes

The Mayo Clinic has teamed up with skin patch maker Gentag to develop next-generation wearable biosensors aimed at fighting obesity and diabetes.

The wireless and disposable wearable patch sensors are the size of a small bandage and painless to put on and remove, Gentag said. The sensor communicates with a cell phone-compatible diabetes management system that allows researchers to monitor movement and develop treatments for the two conditions.

Gentag and the Mayo Clinic hope the technology will be a game-changer in helping to reduce global obesity and diabetes, said James Levine, a Mayo endocrinologist and obesity researcher. He said the patches are accurate, inexpensive and easily integrated into patient care.

The partners plan to license the technology to third parties. A joint intellectual property agreement facilitated research and development of the tool, they said. — Kellen Owings