Breath Device Detects Blood Sugar Without Needles

When Bud Wilcox's grandson Isaac was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just two years old, he knew there had to be a better way than constant needle pricks for a toddler.

Years later, that determination led to a device that could change glucose monitoring for millions. The isaac device, named after his grandson, analyzes breath instead of blood to detect changes in glucose levels.

The quarter-sized wearable measures acetone and other compounds in exhaled breath that scientists have linked to blood sugar fluctuations. Users simply breathe into the device, which sends data to a smartphone app that can alert family members or caregivers if concerning changes occur.

This matters especially for people who struggle most with traditional monitoring. Small children, older adults, and anyone with needle anxiety face daily discomfort that adds up over thousands of tests. Even people without diabetes increasingly track glucose to understand how food affects their bodies, creating demand for easier tools.

PreEvnt introduced isaac at CES 2025 and quickly moved into human clinical trials. The studies compare breath-based alerts with traditional blood glucose meters in both adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and adults with Type 2 diabetes.

The device now sits in FDA review under a special pathway for new technologies. While isaac won't replace medical-grade glucose meters, it's designed to reduce how often people need finger pricks while providing early warnings.

The companion app tracks meal timing, breath reading history, and sends emergency alerts to designated contacts. That last feature could be lifesaving since people experiencing dangerous glucose drops can become disoriented or unable to help themselves.

A single charge powers the device through a full day of multiple tests. It clips to clothing, bags, or wears on a lanyard, fitting seamlessly into daily routines.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one grandfather's quest to spare his grandson pain could ease the burden for over 37 million Americans with diabetes. Beyond that, it opens glucose awareness to anyone focused on metabolic health without the barrier of daily needle sticks.

The technology also paves the way for breath analysis in other health monitoring applications. If volatile compounds in breath can reveal glucose patterns, researchers wonder what else our breath might tell us about our bodies.

Isaac's development shows how personal motivation combined with scientific collaboration can crack problems that stumped even tech giants like Apple. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come not from massive corporations but from someone who simply refused to accept that a two-year-old had to suffer.

One breath test at a time, this small device is bringing needle-free glucose monitoring from distant promise to present reality.