Technologies for non-invasive and continuous blood glucose monitoring in sports: a Patent Landscape Analysis

This study analyzes patents and patent applications for wearable, non-invasive continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), distinguishing between those specifically claiming sports applications and those potentially applicable to sports. Although largely untested, the capacity of CGMs to capture the duration, magnitude, and frequency of interstitial glucose fluctuations may present a unique opportunity to monitor fueling adequacy around competitive events and training sessions, with applications for applied research and sports nutrition practice. We used Espacenet and FamPat databases to conduct both text-based and classification-based queries to enhance the precision and scope of our findings. The patents were categorized into three main technological groups: optical, electrochemical, and electromagnetic. For each category, we analyzed their suitability and limitations in practical applications. We also conducted a forward citation analysis to assess the impact and interest generated by these technological families and applications. Our insights highlight the drive towards continuous, wearable, and sport-oriented glucose monitors, with optical glucose monitoring technologies being the most frequently patented by major wearable companies due to their ease of integration into devices like smartwatches and rings. Patents of CGMs based on biofluids showed the greater technological impact among the documents evaluated in this study, and they could represent a promising frontier in the market of non-invasive glucose monitoring.