A Review of Acetone Vapor Sensors for Non-Invasive Diabetes Diagnosis and Management: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Directions

DM is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient insulin production or impaired use in the cells, leading to a high blood glucose level. This disease requires constant monitoring of blood glucose levels. Traditional blood glucose monitoring techniques are invasive and inconvenient, highlighting the need for non-invasive alternatives. Breath acetone, a byproduct of fat metabolism in diabetic patients, has been identified and used as a biomarker for diabetes as it is directly related to blood glucose levels. Its concentration is significantly higher in the breath of diabetic patients, making it an effective indicator of the disease’s progression. This review comprehensively analyzes various acetone sensor technologies, including electrochemical, capacitive, chemiresistive, mass spectrometry-based, piezoelectric, and optical sensors. This review also discusses the biological background of acetone as a diabetic biomarker, the mechanism of different sensor types, and their advantages and disadvantages. Further, it explores the future prospect of enhancing sensor performance through integrating artificial intelligence (AI), energy harvesting, and the Internet of Things (IoT). By addressing the gaps in the literature regarding the summary of acetone sensors, this review aims to guide future developments in non-invasive diabetic monitoring technologies.