A Game Changer for Diabetics! FreeStyle Libre

FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System is a revolutionary glucose monitoring concept that provides greater data and convenience than blood glucose testing. Moreover, it is more affordable than CGM (Continous Glucose Monitors). Abbot FreeStyle Libre is a bloodless glucose meter that provides instant glucose readings by simply scanning a sensor instead of pricking your finger! This is great news for the Diabetes Community patiently waiting for these developments.

Non-Invasive Glucose Meter: How does it work?

Freestyle Libre features a tiny, flexible glucose sensor (0.2mm long) that is worn just under the skin and attached to a round, water-resistant on-body patch.

The sensor is the size of a one-dollar coin and it remains in place for 14 days. Additionally, it’s factory calibrated and it will begin reading glucose and relaying data one hour after putting it on the upper arm.

The device is approved for use except in three cases where the normal finger-stick is recommended; when glucose changes rapidly, when hypoglycemic, and when your symptoms don’t match the readings provided by the system.

Most people who participated in patient trials of the devices rated the application of the fiber sensor as painless or less painless compared to traditional CGM (continuous glucose monitor). Moreover, the insertion process is very simple and it does not require any training. The insertion process takes about 15 seconds and it can be done even with one hand.

Using the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System

Take the touchscreen reader and hold it near (within an inch) the round sensor disc, and wait for the reader to beep. You will get your real-time glucose value in less than a second and you can also see your glucose trend arrow and a trend graph that shows the last 8 hours of data. You can also download reports from your reader device to your MAC or any other PC-compatible software.

Therefore, besides getting glucose readings as you would with the conventional blood glucose meters, you can also see whether your glucose levels have started going down, up, or are unstable.

Although the upper arm might seem like an annoying and very noticeable location, the round sensor is conveniently small and light, so you’ll soon forget that you’re even wearing it. The sensor comes with a strong adhesive in order to ensure that it stays intact on your skin for the entire 14-day period. Despite the activity you engage in, FreeStyle libre will not require any additional taping. However, Abbott is actively pursuing approval for various alternate wear locations that are more discreet (e.g., thigh, stomach).

How do you scan the sensor disc to obtain data?

Unlike continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the device must be scanned using the reader to obtain data (real-time value, trend, and graph,) because it does not continuously send real-time data to the touchscreen reader. The sensor stores 8 hours of data at a time with the values being taken every minute.

The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System has an outstanding scanning process that takes an average of two seconds. You simply need to touch the button on the screen reader to turn it on and bring up the sensor menu.

Non Invasive Glocose Meter Freestyle Libre — Silicone Case for Freestyle Libre Monitor

From there, hold the reader an inch from the sensor to obtain the real-time glucose value, trend, and past 8 hours of glucose data. The data is displayed on a clear and simple line graph.

Scanning takes 1 to 2 seconds and works through several layers of regular clothing. This allows for excellent flexibility and discretion. On the other hand, you can tag scans such as exercise, insulin carbs, and customizable options right from the home screen.

Scanning the sensor patch is associated with a certain cool factor, psychological pleasure, and fun quality. Additionally, the scans are accompanied by an inspiring ‘ding’ sound that is followed by the immediate display of data on your reader.

This will help you beat and forget the hassles associated with traditional blood glucose tests. This is largely because there is no cost associated with additional glucose scans and there is no limit to the number of scans you can take.

When will the Freestyle Libre be available in the US?

FreeStyle Libre Flash (real-time) Glucose Monitoring System version is currently available in most European countries and in Australia where it was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) early this year (February 2016). However, it’s not clear when FreeStyle libre will launch in the United States. Since Abbot has not yet submitted the device to the FDA, it likely won’t be available until 2017 or even later. However, the FreeStyle Libre pro is hoping to get approval from the FDA anytime now – since it has been under review by the FDA since 2015.

Bookmark this site, to return for regular updates on the Bloodless Glucose Meter.

FreeStyle Libre Pro Now HAS FDA APPROVAL – IN THE US – READ MORE HERE!

The Bloodless Glucose Meter

If you are a diabetic and sick and tired of sore fingers and the pain associated with sticking your fingers every time you need to check your blood sugar, the ‘up and coming’ bloodless glucose meter may be just what you need! These sought after meters will very soon be available, in styles like the glucowatch, which is designed to be worn on the wrist.

How Does the Bloodless Glucose Meter Work?

These particular meters work by drawing interstitial fluid through the sweat glands in the skin by using a small electric current. This electric current is so small that the only real discomfort associated with using the device is some possible irritation caused by wearing the device around the wrist or arm, and this is usually no more uncomfortable than wearing a large watch or MP3 player. The bloodless glucose monitor lives up to its name in that it is completely pain-free for most users and represents the newest and best in glucose monitoring technology.

The meters of today are useful tools when it comes to tracking and trending blood glucose levels, especially over a long period of time such as twelve hours. By using the bloodless glucose meter you can have a reading every 20 minutes for up to a 12 hour period and as many as four thousand readings can be stored in memory and viewed at the touch of a button. The bloodless glucose meter can also be set to alert you if your blood sugar gets too high or too low.

Azurite: Developing the Bloodless Glucose Meter

Azurite is a biotech company that is based in San Francisco and was co-founded by Laura Andrews and Kelly Zebrowski. The main aim of this biotech company is to build a non invasive, (or bloodless glucose monitor).

A New approach to Non Invasive Glucose Testing.

Although this goal is quite familiar, Azurite has taken a different and unique approach where the blood glucose level will be measured through an EM (electromagnetic) sensing system. Therefore, the idea is mainly based on the fact that electromagnetic signals bounce off surfaces and return to the source with a pattern that reflects the surface they have encountered.

Just like any other molecules, glucose molecules reflect unique electromagnetic signals based on their electrical properties. Therefore, Azurite also hopes to bounce electromagnetic signals off the glucose molecules in your blood which will return to the device for an interpretation of how much glucose they have encountered.

There are various research groups that have ascertained the blood glucose level successfully by simply observing electrical properties of blood glucose. Moreover, researchers from the University of Missisipi have demonstrated that a micro-strip patch antenna can help determine the blood glucose levels by measuring the electrical properties of the sample. Azurite has drawn from this research and works of other research groups that have examined electrical properties of blood glucose.

Azurite has modeled a fresh approach that will hopefully lead to a non invasive glucose monitoring device that uses electromagnetic technology to measure electrical properties remotely. Moreover the company is determined to make an impact on diabetics by creating a device that combines convenience and the rich data of accurate continuous testing.

Newest Technologies for Bloodless Glucose Meter

Although there are various technologies being used to develop non invasive testing devices including florescent technology, electromagnetic sensing, mid-infrared spectroscopy and ultrasound technology among other technologies, not all have received FDA approval yet. However, the GlucoTrack has already received the CE Mark approval for use in the EU (European Union).

This type of technology is brand new, but definitely does have a secure place in the proper management of diabetes.

Read on here for more info on the bloodless glucose meter.

The Bloodless Glucose Meter Review

It might be possible to test your blood glucose level without a finger prick in the near future. Currently there are various companies testing bloodless glucose meters.

One of these glucose meters measures blood sugar using light in less than 20 seconds. The landscape of this technology has grown stronger with solid research and several companies have a real shot of introducing the no-stick glucose meter to the market.

Bloodless Glucose Meter – Grove Instruments

Grove Instruments’ newest creation is the optical bridge technology that uses near infrared spectroscopy to measure real time blood glucose in less than 20 seconds. The device is battery-operated just like the traditional meter.

However, the main difference is that you only have to place on your earlobe or fingertip. The device is one of its kind and it has already been patented.

Grove expects this innovation to allow people suffering from diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels more easily and convenient. The device will also enable doctors to screen people for diabetes and pre-diabetes more quickly.

Does the Glucometer meet accuracy standards? Optical Bridge technology has already surpassed the ISO 15197 clinical trials standard.

Echo Therapeutics

The Symphony tCGM biosensor that monitors blood glucose levels continuously using a thersdermal sensor was developed by Eco Therapeutics.

After placing the biosensor on-site, it only needs to warm up for the symphony to transmit the blood glucose level of the user wirelessly to a remote monitor every minute.

The monitor keeps track of the rate of glucose changes and the glucose level. Moreover, it provides audible and visual alarms in case the user’s rate of change and blood glucose levels move outside the target range.

OrSense Bloodless Glucose Meter.

Orsense monitors the users’ Blood glucose level using the spectOLight Occlusion Spectroscopy Technology. This bloodless glucose meter has a ring-shaped sensor that can be worn on the thumb or any other finger. The ring applies gentle pressure on the finger in order to occlude blood flow. Tests on over 450 diabetic subjects show that this glucose meter performs similar to invasive sensors available in the market.

Cnoga Medical Ltd.

Cnoga medical, a start up in Israel, has developed a bloodless glucose monitor that uses optical sensors to track changes in skin color instead of taking a physical blood sample by pricking the skin.

Although this device is already available in Europe, it will probably require further clinical trials in the United States before being sold to diabetics officially. However, the monitor’s technology has already been approved by the FDA (United States Food and Drug administration) for other applications.

Instead of pricking the finger, the patient can simply place a finger on the optical sensor in order for the device to monitor the blood sugar level, skin resistance, the quality of skin collagen and the heart rate.

Arriva Bloodless Glucose Meter

Arriva has created a talking meter which has quite useful for the elderly and diabetics whose vision is impaired. Although the Arrive glucose meter does not require finger pricks, it still requires a small blood sample which is presumably from alternate site such as the palm forearm or thigh for calibrating the sensors periodically. The sensor can be placed on the abdomen or upper arm with a special adhesive.

This no stick glucose meter uses interstitial fluid measurements rather than blood glucose and their testing kits are very useful for showing any trends in your blood sugar level. Moreover, the talking meter is easier to use, more accurate, and pain-free.

Read on for more information on Bloodless Glucose Meters.

Freestyle Libre Pro – NOW HAS FDA APPROVAL – In the USA.

What is a Bloodless glucose meter?

Even since the early 1970s diabetics have been using glucose monitors to help maintain a safe blood sugar. But this results in painful testing up to three times a day, sometimes more!

Diabetes is where the body’s organ called the pancreas fails to produce the required amounts of a chemical known as insulin. Insulin is a chemical responsible for all of the energy that you have. It takes the sugar in the blood and converts it into fuel that the body’s cells can use.

When the amounts of insulin are low the amounts of sugar are high. When the sugar level reaches a certain level the body begins to suffer damage. The damage that is typically done by the high blood sugar levels includes

heart damage,
kidney damage,
eye damage, and
nerve damage.

This makes testing your blood sugar levels a “must do”. But with a blood less glucose meter it can be much easier.

For years diabetics have had to prick their fingers with lancets. Lancets are small needle like contraptions that are used to draw blood sample. The sample is then checked by a glucose monitor. Having to do this constantly is very painful and time consuming.

Check out the OMELON “Bloodless Glucose Meter”

But as of 2008 a new form of noninvasive glucose monitor was created, called the bloodless glucose meter. The ‘’monitor’’ is a thumb pad that uses electromagnetic wave to measure blood sugar amounts. After much research, scientists have figured out how to use the electromagnetic waves to detect glucose. Though the non invasive pad is not as accurate as a blood glucose monitor, it gives a close enough glucose level estimate.

. So if you are tired of pricking your fingers all day long and causing such pain, talk to your doctor about getting a bloodless glucose meter.

Read more on the bloodless glucose meter HERE!