Development of One-Minute Potassium Measurement Technology Using a Drop of Blood from the Fingertip / YTN Science

A Korean startup has developed a portable self-testing device that can measure blood potassium levels in just one minute using only a drop of blood from a fingertip.

Severance Hospital conducted a study involving 40 end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis and compared the results of this device with those from standard venous blood tests. The findings showed that the readings were nearly identical, with less than a 5% margin of error in repeated measurements.

The hospital noted that potassium testing has traditionally required blood sampling and laboratory analysis at medical facilities, which could be time-consuming and inconvenient. With this new technology, patients will be able to check their potassium levels easily at home or at work.