New device aids in the fight against
diabetes
By Michael Seaforth
Diabetes
is very prevalent in many families and most people know of a relative
or close friend with it. Unchecked it can lead to a variety of complications
including damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and even limb
amputation. Many people have diabetes for over a decade before they
find out that they have it. Diabetes is a condition where the body
does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin
it produces. Insulin is required by the body in order for the cells
to absorb glucose.
A new
device being introduced in the UK and granted US Food and Drug Administration
approval as a prescription device for adults 18 years and over threatens
to become another useful weapon in the battle against diabetes.
Cygnus, Inc has unveiled a new product called the GlucoWatch®
Biographer.
The
GlucoWatch® Biographer is a glucose monitoring device that is
worn on the hand
like a watch. It provides automatic glucose readings every 20 minutes
for up to 12 hours at a time. It consists of a processor and a replaceable
sensor that sticks to the skin of the person being monitored. The
Biographer uses an extremely low electric current to absorb glucose
through the skin then analyzes the sample collected to determine
the concentration of glucose. This information is displayed on the
LCD readout and stored in memory for later retrieval. No incision
in the skin is required.
During
each 10 minute testing period, the Biographer spends 3 minutes absorbing
glucose and 7 minutes measuring its concentration. The reading displayed
is derived from two samples and computed by comparison with a "finger-stick"
blood sample which must be taken each time the device is worn.
The
GlucoWatch® Biographer is not intended to replace a regular
blood glucose meter but instead to provide supplementary information
that might assist in the treatment of this disease. Among its chief
benefits is its ability to detect trends and patterns in glucose
level readings and alert the user if the levels are too high or
too low. A regular glucose meter is still required as the principal
means of testing and to calibrate the Biographer before each use.
For more information on the GlucoWatch® Monitor, visit:
http://www.glucowatch.com
For more information on diabetes, visit:
http://www.diabetes.ca
http://www.diabetes.org
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