Blood sugar (glucose) monitoring

2023: Korea approves new continuous sugar monitor

South Korea's i-Sens said it has received regulatory approval to apply CareSens Air - its first continuous blood sugar monitoring (CGM) device. This became known on September 28, 2023. Read more here.

2019: IBM and Medtronic unveil IQcast hypoglycemia prediction tool

On January 3, 2019, the companies IBM Medtronic introduced IQcast, a hypoglycemia prediction tool built into the Metronics Sugar.IQ. The program is intended for patients diabetes mellitus who require multiple daily injections.. insulin here

2017

A wrist glucometer that measures blood sugar by sweat

As it became known at the end of June 2017, scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) can revolutionize the tactics of managing patients with diabetes mellitus thanks to a new wrist device that is capable of continuously and with high accuracy monitoring sugar, cortisol and interleukin-6 levels by the patient's sweat.

The appearance of such a device will be a breakthrough, since today, as a rule, a blood test is taken to control glucose in diabetics, and two other markers - cortisol and interleukin-6 - are measured only periodically, and not constantly, Medgadget notes.^[1]

Blood sugar meter by sweat

Type 2 diabetes affects many people. If you want to manage it and control this chronic disease, these markers [glucose, cortisol and interleukin-6] are the levers to help you get the job done. We believe that we have created the first diagnostic wearable device that can monitor these markers for up to one week, which is superior to the disposable monitors available on the market today, said Dr. Shalini Prasad, professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas.

The sensor built into the wearable uses the so-called Room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), which is a special gel located between the patient's skin and the sensor. Because sweat is difficult to analyze and its release can vary, RTIL helps preserve sweat particles for stable marker measurement. To obtain accurate readings, less than 3 μl of sweat is required, in addition, the measurements are painless.

According to Shalini Prasad, quoted by ScienceDaily, if scientists manage to find a suitable partner, then in the coming year the technology will be licensed and the first wearable diabetes monitoring device will appear on the market.^[2]

Using a tattoo

Many diabetes patients have to spend a lot of money and time monitoring their blood sugar levels every day. In addition, the daily measurement of glucose with blood sampling is an invasive procedure. However, scientists at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are proposing a new approach that can markedly make life easier for diabetics, namely biosensory tattoos. This was reported in early June 2017 by CBS News.

Scientists have developed special ink for tattoos, which include substances that react to blood sugar levels, pH and sodium content. For example, when blood sugar rises, glucose-sensitive inks change color from blue to brown. If the salt content increases, the sodium-sensitive ink becomes a more saturated green shade in ultraviolet light, and when the alkaline balance changes, the ink pH sensor turns from purple to pink.

Scientists have come up with a method to control blood sugar levels using a tattoo

Xin Liu, an employee of the MIT Media Lab research laboratory, told the publication that DermalAbyss ink, which changes color in response to changes in the composition of biological fluids of the human body, is now at the stage of experimental confirmation.

Diabetes patients are looking forward to an innovative technique. According to the scientist, they receive emails in which people write that they would like to try the development.

This is not surprising, because it noticeably wins compared to traditional methods, when for measuring blood sugar you have to pierce your finger several times a day or wear an expensive glucose monitor, inconvenient for an active lifestyle. Just looking at a tattoo will be enough to find out if sugar levels have risen or fallen.

So far, the technology is at an early stage: it was tested only on swine skin samples, and experiments on living things, not to mention humans, are still a long way off. But scientists are convinced that the method is very promising and will be in demand.^[3]

Fashion for blood sugar monitoring in people without diabetes

In 2017, blood sugar monitoring is a growing trend in Silicon Valley as programmers look for new ways to feel better and live longer. The quirk is closely linked to a new trend - the 'ketogenic diet', which involves eating foods high in fat and low in carbohydrates. It is suitable for weight loss and energy production.

Samantha Katz, a venture architect at BCG Ventures who previously worked at Medtronic, has been tracking her glucose levels for years. At first, she wore a device to check the patient's sensations, but found benefits for her health as well.

Over time, she learned how her eating habits and exercise affected her blood sugar levels. She began making small but meaningful lifestyle changes, such as eating nuts instead of sweet fruits, which yielded results.

'I believe there is a lack of awareness of glucose that has a profound impact on our body and health in general, 'she says.

At Jeff Wu's new start-up Nootrobox, nearly every employee tracks their blood sugar levels throughout the day. To his knowledge, none of his 11 colleagues have diabetes.

The team's doctor, Manuel Lam, helped staff access regulated medical devices, the so-called continuous glucose monitoring. Equipment that companies like Dexcom and Medtronic make in the U.S. can cost up to $100 a month for those who need reimbursement for insurance companies. But some believe the costs are worth it.

Jeff Wu believes watching blood sugar trends makes him a better programmer as it helps him optimize his diet. Which, in turn, affects the decline in activity during the daytime from blood sugar failures.

Some of the effects are obvious, such as sugar spikes after eating sweet soda, but Wu believes that watching the data is a real motivation to avoid certain foods and drinks.

Some scientists are skeptical about tracking blood sugar levels in those without diabetes. Such continuous monitoring primarily focuses on patients with type 1 diabetes. The main criticism is that this is an expensive pleasure and it is not particularly useful and effective without a comprehensive inspection.

Other medical experts are optimistic about interest in tracking blood sugar in those without diabetes.

And medical device manufacturers see this as an opportunity to expand their target market. Dexcom is partnering with Google's division on scientific development for life to create a new class of smaller, cheaper medical devices for many more people with type 2 diabetes. Such a product may also prove beneficial for those who have prediabetes and those who are not at risk of the disease but are interested in their health.

Jeff Dachis, CEO of One Drop - a startup that sells glucometers and subscription test strips - has noticed a new 'breed' of users who don't have diabetes.

'This is an interesting opportunity, 'he says, although he has no specific product in his immediate development plans for this group^[4]

Apple develops device for contactless detection of blood sugar

In April 2017, data appeared in the media about Apple's development of a device for contactless determination of blood sugar levels. The new product could be a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, CNBC reported, citing informed sources. Read more here.

2017: Medtronic announces diabetes app Sugar iQ

At CES 2017 in early January, medical device maker Medtronic announced the diabetes app Sugar iQ, which is based on the IBM Watson cognitive computing platform. Read more here.

2016

Medtronic and Samsung create first Android program to monitor blood glucose

On October 24, 2016, the company Medtronic announced the release of MiniMed Connect for. operating system Android The application was developed in conjunction with a South Korean manufacturer. smartphones Samsung Electronics More. here

Guardian Connect - Medtronic's first continuous glucose monitoring system

Guardian Connect - This is the Medtronic first continuous glucose monitoring system (LMWH) in the portfolio for people with diabetes with the ability to manage through, smartphone which received approval in 2016. European Union

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