Non-invasive CGM by the end of the year?

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thought some of you might be interested in this which has been murmering along in the background for a while. Along with a few other bloggers I was invited for a bit of a chat at C8 MediSensors who have developed a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) that uses a tiny beam of light rather than an inserted sensor to measure interstitial glucose.

Currently a 'investigational' device only (so can be used in clinical trials but not available for sale anywhere) they are hoping to get CE approval and plan to launch in the UK and Europe first. Hopefully by the end of the year.

No ongoing sensor cost means that while the unit is not exactly cheap, this might make CGM affordable for quite a few more people than current systems.

More detail here: http://www.everydayupsanddowns.co.uk/2012/09/c8-medisensors-bright-future-for-cgms.html

 

[heasandford]

I think CGM supply (or otherwise!) falls into the same category as not allowing T2s to have strips - it must be a way of giving us better control.

I just didn't understand what was possible/achievable - or maybe it isn't, but at least I feel like trying to achieve now that I know more! I have already registered with the site for when the units come available, and am going to show details to my consultant next week. (without much hope for outcome!)

Thanks for telling us about this, Mike!

 

[m1dnc]

This looks very interesting. A (relatively) affordable, non-invasive cgm would be a big boon.

 

[AlisonF]

I think this is a great opportunity for someone to shake up the CGM market. Good to meet you on Friday Mike, always nice to meet the human being behind the web presence!

 

[pgcity]

Very promising but still very very expensive.

 

[astbury1]

I am hoping a praying already!🙂

 

[Otenba]

Wow. I hope I get the chance to try one out! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Mike!

 

[Lauren]

Sounds awesome 🙂 Hope I manage to get hold of one.

 

[astbury1]

I take it if you wore one of these you could see what your blood sugar is doing without having to keep on testing?? Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?

Am kinda hoping it is like one of those gluco watches?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well yes *and* no I think

It takes a measurement evert 6 minutes of glucose in 'interstitial fluid' and relays it to an app on your smartphone where it can be read. It's not exactly the same as a BG fingerstick (and doesn't replace them as such) as there is a time lag between CGM readings and actual BG (usually thought to be around 15 minutes)

CGMs are really useful to show trend/directional information of the way your levels are heading and can be used to set high/low alerts/alarms, but usually a fingerstick is still advised before taking any kind of action. (that's true of CGMs in gerneral, not just this one)

They really help in catching spikes/dips early though and have been shown to really help 'level out' people's BG graphs

 

[astbury1]

This still sounds ace though! It would be nice to be able to see whether I am dropping and act appropriately without having to keep pricking my finger! And of course wasting strips where doctors (well mine) seem to get funny about ordering so many strips. alot of the time I prick my finger and there is no where near a low but if I had some form of advance warning I could then test. Also very good about seeing trends. Would certainly give me much more confidence and less anxeity about the whole thing! much easier to glance at your phone. Just like quickly checking the time!🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

You might find this 'hands-on' user experience by Alison (shootup) interesting. It was one of the posts that made me interested in CGMs generally, and even got me thinking about pumps (despite years of severe pump-aversion)

http://www.shootuporputup.co.uk/2010/06/what-made-the-difference/

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Thanks Mike,
nice write up. Lets hope it turns out as good as it sounds. Perhaps with no sensor costs PCT's will be more inclined tp fund them.

 

[astbury1]

Thanks this looks very interesting! Kinda interested to know why she had a problem with pizza! Looks like she sorted that though

 

[AlisonF]

Thanks this looks very interesting! Kinda interested to know why she had a problem with pizza! Looks like she sorted that though

Hi, my problem with pizza when on injections was that if I injected enough insulin to cover it up front, I went hypo within a few hours. Inject less and I'd end up high. The ideal was to inject some with the meal and some a few hours later, but I struggled to remember to do that. The pump let me bolus some with the meal, and drip the rest in over a few hours, and the CGM let me perfect that technique because I could monitor what was going on.