Guardian® REAL-Time System

Pictured above is a newly FDA approved continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system from Medtronic. The Guardian® REAL-Time System is thought to improve diabetes management, especially in those who have the brittle type of disease:

Especially well suited for diabetes patients who frequently monitor their glucose levels, the Guardian REAL-Time System is intended to help protect patients by alerting users to high and low glucose levels. The REAL-Time information and retrospective glucose trend data provided by the Guardian REAL-Time System are designed to help patients more tightly control glucose levels. Improved glucose control has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of certain long-term complications, including blindness, kidney failure, amputation, impotence, and heart disease. The system will be available nationwide by the end of this year…
The Guardian REAL-Time System glucose sensor is a tiny electrode inserted under the skin that measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid found between the body’s cells. The sensor is connected to a transmitter that sends glucose readings every five minutes to a monitor, which displays up to 288 readings a day — nearly 100 times more information than conventional monitoring.* This additional information provides better protection against frequent glycemic highs and lows, and empowers patients to be more proactive about their diabetes management. CGM technology identifies four-times more glucose excursions requiring therapy adjustment than just fingerstick monitoring alone. REAL-Time alarms help reduce the duration of hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes by 48 percent.
The Guardian REAL-Time System is indicated for continuous or periodic monitoring of glucose levels of adults (ages 18 and older) with diabetes mellitus for the purposes of improving diabetes management. The glucose sensor is typically discarded and replaced after three days of use. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using a blood glucose meter (fingerstick measurement). The device requires one calibration point every 12 hours [in other words, it is not needle-prick free –ed.]…
* Based on three fingersticks a day

The press release…