Glucose Monitors - Glucose Meters
With so many glucose monitors on the market today some individuals
can get confused about which one to use. One consideration that
should play no part in your decision is the cost of the meter.
Most manufacturers are happy to practically give you a monitor
so that you're forced to buy their test strips. Each manufacturer
makes a different test strip, and they're not interchangeable
from one monitor to another. Some even make a different strip
for each individual monitor type.
Because the meters are so cheap and the science is changing so
rapidly, it's a good idea to get a new glucose monitor every 1-2
years to make sure that you have the latest, state of the art
model. The cost of most diabetic test strips are generally about
the same from meter to meter, so cost shouldn't play a big role
in your decision.
Choosing a blood glucose monitor is definitely based on personal
preference. If you are a very active person, a smaller, compact
monitor may be more important to you. Individuals with certain
visual disabilities may require a larger display. Some monitors
allow you to transfer the readings directly to your computer.
Insulin Pumps
Insulin pumps are small electronic devices that you wear on your
belt or in your pocket. They have a small flexible tube with a
fine needle on the end. The needle is inserted under the skin
of your abdomen and taped in place. The needles and tubing set
are changed every few days. A carefully measured, continuous flow
of a rapid-acting insulin is released into the tissue.
The insulin pump is designed to deliver a continuous amount of
insulin, 24 hours a day according to a programmed plan unique
to each pump wearer. A small amount of insulin is constantly delivered,
this is called the basal rate. This is the amount of insulin needed
to keep the blood sugar in the target range between meals and
overnight.
Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitors
Please see the FDA Glucose Monitor Site
and The FDA Site on Non-Invasive Glucose Monitors
The FDA has approved one "minimally invasive" meter
and one "non-invasive" glucose meter. Neither of these
should replace standard glucose testing.
MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. The MiniMed system
consists of a small plastic catheter (very small tube) inserted
just under the skin. The catheter collects small amounts of liquid
that is passed through a "biosensor" to measure the
amount of glucose present. For more information about the MiniMed,
use the link below.
Mimimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) - FDA Report
Cygnus GlucoWatch Biographer. GlucoWatch is worn on the arm like
a wristwatch. It pulls tiny amounts of fluid from the skin and
measures the glucose in the fluid without puncturing the skin.
The device requires 3 hours to warm up after it is put on. After
this, it can provide up to 3 glucose measurements per hour for
12 hours. Unlike the MiniMed device, the GlucoWatch displays results
that can be read by the wearer, although like the MiniMed device,
these readings are not meant to be used as replacements for fingerstick-based
tests. For more information about GlucoWatch, use the link below.
Cygnus GlucoWatch Automatic Glucose Biographer - FDA Report
Leading Glucose Monitor Manufacturers
The diabetes blood glucose monitoring industry is dominated by
a handful of competitors, making the industry difficult at best
for newcomers to penetrate. Roche Diagnostics was the overall
market leader in 2002, with a 34% share of the blood glucose meter
market, and a 35% share of the blood glucose testing strip market.
LifeScan, a Johnson and Johnson company, was second, benefiting
from sales of the ONE TOUCH Ultra introduced in 2001. The Ultra
isapproved for alternative site testing and is providing stiff
competition for Roche's Accu-Chek Compact, also approved for alternative
site testing.Bayer and Abbott Laboratories' Medisense are lesser,
but important players in this market.
Abbot Laboratories - Located in Abbott Park, Illinois acquired
Medisense? in 1996 and on April 6, 2004 completed the acquisition
of TheraSense. The integration of the two companies will result
in new products to help patients and caregivers better manage
diabetes.
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