Product Categories
Accessories
Control Solutions
Glucose Tablets
Infusion Devices
Lancets
Meters & Test Kits
Diabetec Shoes
Skin Care
Supplies
Test Strips
|
  
Diabetes Testing Breakthroughs
Breakthroughs in diabetes supply products used in the treatment and control of diabetes have eased the daily process of testing and monitoring blood glucose levels. Living with diabetes has become a whole lot easier. Gone are the days requiring large blood samples and calloused fingers from the unrelenting poke and prod of the dreaded lancet. Diabetic supplies and testing equipment have kept pace with today’s technology advancements afforded by improvements in microprocessor capability. State-of-the-art blood testing meters incorporate miniature computer chips capable of accurately and reliably calculating and recording results from the blood samples the size of a pinhead.
Arguably, the first major breakthrough in testing technology came in 2003 with the release of the FreeStyle by Therasense. Their goal with the FreeStyle meter was to supply diabetes sufferers with a test meter that could test a much smaller sample of blood and from a location on the body other then the finger. The concept of “alternate site” testing was born. Requiring only a 1/3 micro liter sample of blood, the FreeStyle meter delivers accurate and reliable results with a fraction of the sample size then test meters of the past.
The basic problem and pain with testing stemmed from the requirement for a relatively large sample of blood. A few years ago a 10 micro liter drop was necessary to obtain a good sample. That’s roughly the size of a chocolate chip. To move that much blood through the dermal layer of the finger, you need a big enough opening. That size opening has to be made with a large enough lancet. Well, you can see where this is going. A large lancet penetrating the tip of the finger is uncomfortable, to say the least.
The OneTouch Basic by LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company, had been the benchmark in diabetes testing for ages. With 20 years in the business, they have provided a steady supply of new diabetes test meters and test strips. The OneTouch Basic, however, requires a large blood sample and takes 45 seconds to yield its results.
More recently, the Accu-Check Advantage developed a “Comfort Curve” test strip with a contoured edge that fits around the finger for easier blood application. Although the Accu-Check Advantage made huge strides in the reduction of blood required for testing, the sample still must be drawn from the finger. Nonetheless, the meter required 4 micro liters of blood; about half the size of previous devices. The Accu-Check gained significant popularity, in large part, due to the marketing efforts by Roche Diagnostics, the manufacturer. It is a common practice to supply diabetes test equipment for free or at significantly reduced rates in order to garner market share. Hospitals central supply houses were stocked to the rafters with Accu-Check systems to ensure an entrenched marketing position. Today, Roche Diagnostics boasts that the Accu-Check Advantage is the #1 system in hospitals. Whether true or not, the “Advantage” did not address the age-old requirement for drawing blood from the finger. The Glucometer Elite, now re-named Ascensia by the Bayer Corporation again reduced the blood sample size by half and increased the processing speed to only 30 seconds.
Millions of people living with diabetes can take some comfort in knowing that manufacturers are determined to supply the consumer market with diabetes test meters and test strips that make managing diabetes easier.
The amount of blood required to obtain an accurate result using today’s meters has reached miniscule levels. Not only are diabetes test meters getting smaller and more sophisticated, but blood samples can now be drawn from the forearm or thigh. And if you feel your fingers still need more abuse, they work the old fashion way as well.
To get the latest diabetes supply information on test meters, test strips and managing diabetes, sign up for the Diabetes Supply Newsletter today. This periodic update includes information on new testing systems, diabetes supply information, manufacturer promotions, insurance and Medicare reimbursement information you need to know, pricing and new product releases and discount offers to people living with diabetes.
|
