Digital medicine has brought us to a new horizon in treating conditions that have heretofore inconvenienced the lives of patients who live with these diseases. For diabetics, the dreaded daily finger pricks to monitor blood glucose levels can be a frustrating (and painful) event that interrupts daily activities, even though it’s a necessary component of diabetes management. But what if technology provided us with a way to keep track of blood sugar without the expensive testing strips and daily punctures? Luckily, our world these days is more Star Trek than Quincy M.D., and with the advent of smart devices, diabetics have more options than ever for non-invasive, bloodless monitoring of their blood sugar. Here are 4 of the most cutting-edge devices that will take some of the “ouch” out of living with diabetes.
Abbot’s FreeStyle Libre Flash® Glucose Monitoring System received FDA approval in September 2017. This device doesn’t require a finger prick, instead using a small sensor wire that’s inserted under the skin to monitor glucose levels when a wand-like device is waved over the sensor, providing a blood sugar measurement and readout. This device is only for use in diabetics 18+, and after a 12-hour “startup” period, can be worn for up to 10 days at a time.
GlucoTrak® is a bloodless glucose meter already available in Europe and certain countries worldwide that’s expected to make it to the U.S. in the next year. Like the FreeStyle Libre Flash®, this device is comprised of 2 parts: a main unit (MU) and an ear clip. To get a reading, you simply clip the device onto your earlobe. The device utilizes ultrasonic, electromagnetic and thermal technology simultaneously, combining the data through a proprietary algorithm that calculates the user’s glucose level.
The Dexcom G5®Mobile CGM System requires an initial finger prick for calibration purposes, then proceeds to monitor the user’s blood sugar in real-time through a small sensor and transmitter. This device also requires a compatible smart device, or users can opt for the dedicated Dexcom Receiver. Users can then customize personalized alerts, which allow for reading every 5 minutes if desired.
GlucoWise™ isn’t available yet, but their website provides a “Get Involved” signup page for prospective users to receive alerts as the device moves to the market. This non-invasive device is a pain-free monitoring system that uses sensor technology instead of punctures to provide independent, pain-free, discreet glucose monitoring. A personalized app provides alerts to help you manage your blood sugar levels before you experience a spike or crash.
