Non-invasive blood glucose measurement using Raman spectroscopy on the fingernail

Clinical Study of Non-invasive Blood Glucose Detection Technology Based on Raman Spectroscopy

Observational Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University · NCT07311421

This project tests a Raman spectroscopy method to painlessly measure blood glucose in adults with diabetes and healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment49 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorBeijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07311421 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project collects Raman spectra from participants' nails to derive blood glucose estimates without finger pricks. Adults aged 18–75, including people with diagnosed diabetes and healthy volunteers, will be scanned at Beijing Shijitan Hospital and provide standard capillary or venous glucose measurements for comparison. Participants with nail disease, recent use of nail products, pregnancy, severe chronic illness, or inability to complete procedures will be excluded to avoid confounding the optical measurements. The study compares Raman-derived glucose values with conventional measurements to characterize accuracy and clinical feasibility.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–75 years old with diagnosed diabetes or healthy volunteers who have intact, product‑free nails and can attend in‑person visits at the Beijing site are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with nail infections or damage, recent use of nail polish or artificial nails, pregnant or lactating women, those with serious terminal illnesses or severe mental illness, or anyone unable to complete study procedures are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a painless, convenient way to monitor blood glucose without finger‑prick tests.

How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies and small pilot reports have shown promising accuracy for Raman-based glucose detection, but larger clinical validation in real-world cohorts is still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Age range: 18-75 years old. Gender: unlimited. Health status: patients with diagnosed diabetes or healthy volunteers. Nail health status: no obvious infection, discoloration, peeling and other lesions of the nail, so as to ensure the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy measurement.

Willing to participate in the study and sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Nail diseases: such as fungal infections, psoriasis, trauma resulting in nail damage or deformity.

The presence of factors that influenced the measurement results: Participants who used nail polish, fake nails, or nail products. Recent use of drugs containing heavy metals (which may affect nail composition) and skin conditions are not appropriate for such tests.

Pregnant or lactating women. People with serious chronic diseases (such as terminal cancer, end-stage renal disease) or mental illness.

Non-cooperation or inability to complete the entire research process, such as refusal or inability to complete Raman spectrum acquisition.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions DiabetesDiabetes ManagementRaman SpectroscopyNon-invasive Blood Glucose DetectionClinical Application
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.