Continuous Glucose Sensor Aids Diabetics

A medical device that continuously monitors glucose will greatly improve the quality of diabetes care and lower the risk of complications such as loss of sight, heart attacks, kidney failure, and amputation. It is an important step toward the development of an artificial pancreas for people suffering from diabetes.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF, New York, NY, USA), a charitable supporter of research on type 1 diabetes, has announced that a new device, the Short Term Sensor (STS) continuous glucose monitoring system, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Developed by DexCom Inc., (San Diego, CA, USA), the monitoring system is a patient-insertable short-term sensor that wirelessly transmits blood-glucose readings to a handheld receiver.

The wire-like sensor is inserted via an applicator by the user or clinician just under the skin and held in place by an adhesive to the skin. Once inserted, the user wears the sensor for up to three days when the patient removes and discards it. A new sensor is then used with the same receiver. The STS receiver provides continuous glucose values, one-, three-, and nine-hour glucose trend information, high- and low-glucose alerts, and low-glucose alarm. The patient is able to adjust medication, diet, and exercise according to the glucose levels.

Monitors such as these are the keys to the development of a closed-loop glucose testing and insulin delivery system, or an "artificial pancreas.” Closed loop technology will provide patients with far more information about their daily glucose fluctuations and trends and allow for far-tighter control. Patients who aggressively manage their diabetes typically test their glucose levels up to eight times a day, and provide insulin injections based on that information. The artificial pancreas will test the glucose approximately 1,400 times a day, and make insulin available based on real-time information.

"The development of an artificial pancreas has been one of JDRF's top research goals, and we are cautiously optimistic that these new products will be as successful and beneficial to people with diabetes as we hope,” said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., Director of research projects at JDRF.



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