New Technology

Diabetic Testing Tools

There are always changes and improvements in the tools used by diabetics for testing needs or injecting insulin. We hope to keep you abreast of some of these changes through our site. Please visit periodically, as this information will change over time.

Note: Not all of these products are currently available on the market.

• Cartridge-Based Testing
• Glucowatch
• The Lasette Plus

Cartridge-Based Testing

Basically this term refers to the design of the testing meter that uses a cartridge or drum instead of individual testing strips. Some advertising also refers to this as "no-strip testing". These meters eliminate the necessity of handling each and every test strip - a great convenience for high-frequency testers.

Meters currently allowing cartridge-based testing:

• Glucometer/Ascensia DEX by Bayer
• AccuChek Compact by Roche

Glucowatch: Diabetes Testing Watch

When should diabetics check their blood sugar? With Glucowatch - the diabetes testing watch - every 20 minutes.

Cygnus received FDA approval to market its Glucowatch in Spring 2001. This diabetes testing device will be worn as a watch and provide blood sugar level readings from fluids in the skin. Blood sugar level readings will be provided every 20 minutes for 12 hours. Sounds great, right? But, is it right for you? Check out some of the facts before you purchase.

• The diabetic testing watch will need to be calibrated twice a day. This is done by entering information from your standard fingerstick test.
• The Glucowatch IS NOT considered to be a replacement for the standard fingerstick, but a complement to it.
• There is a three-hour delay before blood sugar readings are provided after each calibration.
• Sweat can interfere with accurate readings.
• Half of the people tested have had irritations from the autosensors on the back of the watch.
• Readings have been found to differ from fingerstick tests 25% of the time and at a variance of greater than 30%.
• This diabetes testing watch is not recommended for people on a sliding scale since the readings are not accurate enough to base insulin adjustments on.
• The Glucowatch is less reliable at detecting low blood sugar levels, then high.
• It is not currently available for people under 18 years of age.
• A prescription from your physician will be required to obtain the Glucowatch.
• This diabetic testing watch is expected to retail at $400 and the autosensors at $4-5 each. The watch requires 2 autosensors at a time, and replaced at each calibration (equivalent to approximately 4/day).
• At this time it is still unknown when the watch will be available on the market.

Kudos to Cygnus, the manufacturer, for taking a great step to improving the technology for diabetes testing. But, as with any product this diabetes testing watch is not right for everyone. To learn more details go to: www.glucowatch.com and www.cygn.com or call Cygnus at 650-369-4300.

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The Lasette Plus

A lancing device that uses a laser beam to draw blood versus a "needle" or lancet.

• Available for clinical or home use
• Cost is approximately $1,000 for the product, not including the recurring costs of the disposable film cartridges or batteries
• Prescription required
• Targeted primarily to the needle-phobic individuals

Visit Cell Robotics for more information.

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