What Lactate Tells You About Your Health
Lactate is an important biochemical marker that provides valuable information for the early detection of health problems such as sepsis and cardiovascular disease. In sports, lactate provides insights into fatigue and endurance. Elevated lactate levels can also indicate an increased risk of injury, making continuous monitoring valuable for prevention and treatment.
The current standard measurement method in sports relies on blood samples. This is an invasive method and provides only a snapshot, whereas real-time data are crucial for optimal decision-making. A promising alternative is measuring lactate in sweat, a non-invasive bodily fluid rich in biomarkers.
Measuring Without Needles or Sweating
Maarten Gijssel, CEO of IDRO: “Our wearable sensor technology detects lactate in sweat and displays real-time physiological data via a mobile app. Elite athletes are already actively using our system, but we still depend on sufficient sweat production. As a result, we are unable to measure in some individuals (even during exercise). It is also not always possible to measure during warm-ups or periods of rest. We found a solution to this challenge with DXcrete. The patented electrowetting-on-dielectrics (EWOD) technology actively transports microscopic sweat droplets from the skin to the sensor – without the need for artificial stimulation or a warm-up period.”
“Our EWOD technology enables continuous biomarker measurements without the need for excessive sweat production,” explains Timon Grob, CEO and co-founder of DXcrete. “This allows us to collect reliable data where other systems fail. Our focus is on healthcare, where we aim to detect deterioration in patients’ health at an early stage. In collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology, we continuously refine our technology.”
Through this CrossRoads project, the two partners are bringing their innovations together by integrating DXcrete’s EWOD technology into IDRO’s Continuous Lactate Monitoring (CLM) system. The tool will be tested together with athletes, trainers, and medical professionals.
Impact
The result will be a compact, user-friendly, and wearable device that provides accurate health data for both athletes and patients. In the sports world, continuous lactate monitoring helps athletes improve their performance and prevent injuries through continuous monitoring. In the medical field, the technology offers solutions for rehabilitation centres and preventive healthcare. It contributes to the early detection of sepsis – a condition that claims millions of lives every year – and the monitoring of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart failure.
The non-invasive approach also reduces the need for disposable materials and facilitates remote care, with fewer journeys and lower energy consumption.
