An innovative device promises to detect glucose without needles
NEWNow you can listen to News articles!
The idea of tracking blood sugar without needles has challenged health technology for years. For people with diabetes, constant monitoring is essential, but the tools remain uncomfortable and invasive. Finger pricks hurt. Traditional continuous glucose monitors are still located under the skin. That daily burden adds up quickly.
Recently, a small device has gotten a lot of attention for tackling that problem in a very different way.
Sign up to receive my FREE CyberGuy report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive offers delivered right to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Guide to Surviving Scams, free when you join me CYBERGUY.COM information sheet.
WEIGHT LOSS EXPERTS PREDICT 5 MAJOR TREATMENT CHANGES THAT WILL LIKELY EMERGE IN 2026
A small breathing device called Isaac aims to alert users to glucose changes without needles or sensors under the skin. (Prior to the event)
Why non-invasive glucose monitoring is important
Blood sugar levels can go up or down quickly. When changes go unnoticed, risks increase, from long-term organ damage to sudden hypoglycemia.
- Monitoring can be especially difficult for:
- small children
- older adults
- Anyone who has problems with needles
At the same time, glucose monitoring has increased among people without diabetes. As GLP-1 medications gain popularity, many people now monitor their blood sugar to understand how foods affect their bodies. The need for simpler tools continues to grow.
Even Apple has spent years trying to bring pinhole-free glucose tracking to wearable devices. Despite the huge investment, the feature is yet to arrive.
NEEDLELESS GLUCOSE CHECKS COME CLOSER TO REALITY
Instead of finger pricks, the device analyzes acetone and other compounds in exhaled breath related to blood sugar levels. (Prior to the event)
How the PreEvnt Isaac monitors glucose using breathing
One of the most talked about health devices in CES 2026 came from PreEvnt. Their product, called isaac, takes a non-traditional approach to glucose understanding. Instead of piercing the skin or using optical sensors, Isaac analyzes your breathing. The device measures volatile organic compounds, especially acetone, which has long been associated with increased blood glucose. That sweet fruity breath is a known marker of diabetes. By detecting changes in those compounds, Isaac can alert users to potential glucose events. The device is small, about the size of a quarter, and has a loop that allows it to be worn on a lanyard or attached to clothing or a bag.
The breath-based design aims to reduce the frequency with which users need fingerstick blood testing, while providing early alerts about glucose-related changes.
The device is named after the inventor’s grandson, Isaac, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just two years old. The inventor, Bud Wilcox, wanted to reduce the number of painful finger pricks his grandson faced each day. That personal motivation led to years of collaboration with scientists, designers and engineers. Research and development included work with Indiana University, under the direction of Dr. M. Agarwal. The goal was simple but ambitious. Alert families to blood sugar events earlier while reducing the physical and emotional toll of constant testing.
How the Isaac device fits into daily life
Isaac is designed to fit into everyday routines. Users breathe into the device, which processes the reading and sends the data to a companion smartphone app. The app, still in its final stages of development, focuses on awareness and safety. Current features include:
- A meal logging schedule
- A history of breath readings.
- Alerts that can notify emergency contacts.
This is important because people with diabetes can become disoriented or incapacitated during hypoglycemic events. Early warnings give caregivers or family members the opportunity to intervene. A single charge lasts all day and supports multiple breath tests. The device comes with a charging base and a USB-C cable.
Who is Isaac designed for?
According to PreEvnt, isaac is being developed to:
- type 1 diabetes
- type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetics
It may also appeal to people focused on metabolic health. As mentioned, the device is still under development and FDA review and is not yet on sale in the US. The companion app will be released on iOS and Android when available.
TYPE 1 DIABETES REVERSED IN A HISTORICAL STUDY, PAVING THE WAY FOR STUDIES IN HUMANS
Designed for everyday use, the Isaac wearable device pairs with a smartphone app to record readings and send alerts when needed. (Prior to the event)
Clinical trials and FDA review for the Isaac device
PreEvnt first publicly unveiled Isaac at CES 2025. Later that year, the device entered active human clinical trials. Those studies compare Isaac’s breathing-based alerts with traditional blood glucose monitoring methods. The trials began with adolescents who had type 1 diabetes and then expanded to adults with type 2 diabetes. The company is now working on a regulatory review with the US Food and Drug Administration. Because this technology is new, PreEvnt is following a de novo path, allowing devices to be evaluated while standards are still being defined. According to the company, regulators have shown great interest as data continues to arrive.
Isaac is not intended to replace medical grade glucose meters. The device is being developed to complement existing monitoring methods by offering respiration-based alerts linked to glucose-related changes.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where you stand digitally. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing well and what you need to improve. Take my quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Non-invasive glucose monitoring has long been considered a promise of the future that never quite arrives. The attention around Isaac at CES 2026 suggests the promise may finally be getting closer. If clinical trials continue to yield strong results and regulators give their approval, breathing into a small device could one day replace at least some finger pricks. For families living with diabetes, that change could make daily life easier and safer.
Would you trust a breath-based device to warn you about rising blood sugar before symptoms appear? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE News APP
Sign up to receive my FREE CyberGuy report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive offers delivered right to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Guide to Surviving Scams, free when you join me CYBERGUY.COM information sheet.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning technology journalist with a deep love for technology, gear and devices that improve lives with his contributions to News and News Business since mornings on “News & Friends.” Do you have any technical questions? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment on CyberGuy.com.