This Is the Blood Glucose Monitor We’ve Been Waiting For

Las Vegas: The wearables industry has made big strides in health technology. They have tackled easy tasks like counting steps and tracking sleep. They even track serious issues like atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea. However, monitoring blood sugar without needles has been tricky.

People with diabetes need to check their blood sugar all the time to avoid high levels that can harm their organs. This can be tough for older adults and little kids. Normally, they have to do painful pinprick tests or use continuous glucose monitors, which go under the skin.

Many non-diabetics are also using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) because they help with weight loss. Eating like a diabetic—lots of protein, fiber, and less sugar—helps people shed pounds. Companies like Apple have tried for years to create a no-prick blood glucose monitor, but it’s still not available.

That’s why I was shocked to see the PreEvnt Isaac at CES 2026. This small device is about the size of a quarter. Instead of checking blood sugar through the skin, it looks at the breath to find markers like acetone that show blood sugar levels.

You might not wear it on your wrist, but it’s a great option to use around your neck or in your bag. This change could really improve daily life for many people.

The Isaac is named after the inventor’s grandson, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 2. Little kids don’t want to be pricked all the time. Bud Wilcox realized that acetone breath, which has a fruity smell, can show when blood sugar spikes.

PreEvnt first showed this idea at CES 2025. At that time, it seemed like a dream. Later, the device went into human trials at Indiana University. They are comparing the Isaac’s results to traditional blood sugar testing. The trials started with teenagers who have type 1 diabetes and will later include adults with type 2 diabetes.

These trials aim for approval from the US Food and Drug Administration soon.