Why Is It So Difficult To Non
Fitbit recently added the ability to add manual glucose readings to its companion app
Traditionally, the process of monitoring blood glucose involves drawing blood to take a measurement or uses a sensor embedded under the skin to reveal blood sugar levels in real time.
These are parts of the process that companies are seeking to find a solution and to take that invasive element out of the equation. These solutions seem to revolve around a similar optical based method that’s already been put to use for measuring heart rate, blood oxygen and body temperature.
Jake Leach is chief technology officer at Dexcom, the company responsible for a FDA approved sensor that’s worn just underneath the skin that continuously monitors glucose levels and can display data in real time to devices like the Apple Watch. Dexcom is currently working on the seventh and eighth generations of its device.
“Measuring glucose non-invasively is really challenging, and the challenge is being able to do it reliably and accurately,” Leach tells us. “In the multiple decades that I’ve seen, non-invasive development occurring, there just hasn’t been a technology that can provide the level of accuracy that we can provide with sensors that are in actual contact with glucose and an electrochemical sensor.”
It’s one thing to be able to do non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring, it’s another thing to be able to do it so well it can help advise on insulin dosage for those with diabetes.
Glucose Levels And Diabetes
A key part of managing diabetes involves checking blood sugars, or glucose levels.
In type 1 diabetes , a persons pancreas does not produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes , the body may not make insulin correctly anymore.
For either T1D or T2D, making sure glucose levels stay as level as possible is the goal. Sometimes insulin or diabetes medications are used based on the type of diabetes and personal needs. Many factors, such as food, exercise, insulin, medications, stress, etc., affect glucose levels.
Glucose level targets may vary for everyone based on their unique needs.
But the 2022 standards from the American Diabetes Association advise that the typical blood sugar range for adults with diabetes are:
- between 80 and 130 mg/dL before meals
- lower than 180 mg/dL within 1 or 2 hours after eating
Ranges vary for children younger than 18 years old, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions or gestational diabetes.
How Important Is Accuracy
Accuracy is absolutely essential for people with diabetes when it comes to advising on the correct dose of insulin to take. However, it may not be so vital for individuals who simply want to keep tabs on their changing glucose levels. For those who only want to optimize their diet and learn more about how exercising and eating different foods can impact their glucose level, the technology may not need to be extremely accurate. Just accurate enough to give a basic idea of the impact. In this arena, some of the big tech companies have already made impressive advances.
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Fda Approval: A Lengthy But Critical Path
CEO Tim Cook was allegedly seen with a prototype glucose monitor that was connected to his Apple watch. However, just like the ECG feature on Apple watches, the Apple watch glucose monitor must pass inspection with the United States Food and Drug Association and international correspondents before being used anywhere. He mentioned that Apple would be careful with adding medical components to the watch initially in development. This is because FDA approval could interfere with innovation.
Initially, Tim Cook also said he did not want to put the watch through the FDA approval process. The lengthy approval cycle of the authorities carrying the risk of holding them back from adding more innovations. Nonetheless, he changed his mind and introduced the ECG feature in 2018 due to their customers demands.
Another Apple event that was announced is the Apple April 20 event. One device you should look forward to is the iPad Pro 2021, among others. In addition, the events title, the Spring Loaded Event, will introduce different products that will be launched, including a new Apple TV, iMac, Airbags, and maybe Airpods 3.
What Is A Smartwatch
A smartwatch is a wearable device that can perform a variety of tasks, such as checking text messages, tracking fitness activity, or even making phone calls. Most smartwatches connect wirelessly to your smartphone, allowing you to access features and notifications on your watch without having to pull out your phone. Smartwatches come in a variety of different styles and sizes, so its important to choose one that fits your lifestyle and needs.
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Apple Watch 8 Killer Feature
Rockley CEO Andrew Rickman told The Telegraph that he expects its technology to be in consumer products next year, though he would not be drawn on whether it would be in an Apple product or not. That lack of transparency is unsurprising given the level of secrecy Apple requires from its suppliers and partners.
The filing makes it clear why Apple would be interested in working with Rockley, with the company boasting of lasers up to 1,000,000 times higher resolution, 1,000 times higher accuracy and 100 times broader range in wavelengths compared with existing LED offerings in wearable solutions. This, the company says, will help it address existing applications in consumer wearable devices with significantly higher resolution, accuracy and range.
Reliable, non-invasive blood glucose analysis would be a game changer for diabetics. As we wrote back in November, the current generation of Apple Watches can work with continuous blood sugar tracking devices, but its enormously expensive. Something like Dexcom will set you back $245 for transmitters and $1,035 for three months worth of disposable sensors, for example.
But blood sugar tracking isnt just of interest to diabetics, and it could offer interesting analytics for those looking to eat better and lose weight. Depending on reliability, that may well end up being how Apple promotes the sensor.
What Is Tandem Basal
Tandem Basal-IQ is a system that integrates the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump with the Dexcom G6 CGM and the proprietary Basal-IQ algorithm designed to help keep blood sugars in range. The system can automatically shut off insulin delivery for limited periods if low blood glucose is predicted.
It does this in two cases:
- when you go below 70 mg/dL
- when its algorithm predicts you will go below 80 mg/dL within the next 30 minutes
For both situations, Basal-IQ automatically resumes insulin delivery when your glucose level begins to rise again. It uses three of the past four readings to trigger that auto-shutoff. The main screen displays red swatches to indicate when and for how long Basal-IQ has shut off your insulin delivery.
Users can choose whether they want alerts to sound each time insulin delivery is suspended. This allows you to have Basal-IQ in the background, with fewer alerts and alarms to disrupt your day to day. For some people, this can help address diabetes device fatigue.
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What Benefits Can People Living With Diabetes Get From Smartwatches
People living with diabetes can manage their condition by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Smartwatches have many health features that can help diabetics gain a better understanding of their health.
Calorie intake, sleep quality, and heart rate are all some of the things smartwatches can track. They can also link to continous glucose monitors to display blood sugar levels.
The T: Slim X2 Insulin Pump
The t:slim X2 insulin pump is the core of the system. It offers the only color touchscreen available on any insulin pump.
It allows you to remotely update the pump from home, just like you can with an iOS or Android smartphone.
This was a first in the insulin pump market. It means you dont have to buy a new piece of hardware every time some functionality or feature is upgraded.
Tandems pumps are unique in using a color touchscreen. For safety reasons, theres a three-button wake-up and confirmation series required anytime you want to use it.
You need to tap on the touchscreens 1-2-3 buttons when displayed to unlock it. Theres usually at least one confirmation message for whatever task you are trying to accomplish when using the pump whether giving yourself a mealtime or correction dose of insulin, entering a blood sugar reading or carb amount, or manually turning off insulin delivery for a swim or other activity.
Because this system is integrated with the Dexcom G6 CGM , the pump display also shows a CGM icon and data.
You can press the silver T button on the top of the screen to wake it up and see the full-color CGM status screen for glucose data, battery and transmitter status, as well as insulin on board and the volume of insulin inside the pump at the time.
The default view of CGM data is 3 hours, but you can also scroll through 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour trace screens without needing to repeat the three-button unlocking sequence.
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Do Smartwatches Accurately Measure Blood Glucose Level
No smartwatch measures the blood glucose level directly. You have to connect it with an external device like Dexcom G6 to get blood glucose data.
The benefit of a smartwatch is that it stores your previous data to be a better consultant and communicate with your doctor.
Apart from blood glucose levels, smartwatches give exact results to measure heart rate, calories, or blood oxygen saturation. You can also accurately monitor your sleep patterns and stress data. But remember, not every smartwatch is accurate.
You are on the right path if you buy a branded watch like Apple, Fitbit, Samsung, or Garmin. These brands are a little expensive, but their devices are pretty accurate.
So to get a more precise smartwatch, you have to invest more.
Secondly, the accuracy of a smartwatch also depends on your wrist stability and watch position. Try to keep your arms stable while measuring any heart rate or blood pressure to get more precise results.
With time smartwatches are improving day by day the recent Apple flagship watch offers a more advanced PPG and optical sensor that works in parallel to get more accurate results.
According to a report, Apple has started working on blood sugar features. Apple is now focusing on short-wavelength sensors that directly measure the amount of sugar in your blood.
Personal Experiences With A Smartwatch
Before using a smartwatch, I wasn’t sure how long I truly slept soundly through the night. I started using the sleep tool on my smartwatch combined with a sleep app to measure my sleep habits and sleep quality. It has been helpful to see my patterns of sleep.
I appreciate having my glucose data on my watch, especially while involved with physical activity like bike riding or walking. Looking at my watch is much easier and safer than using my cell phone to get this information.
I hope this helps a little, but I’m no “techie.” So, if you think you may be interested in the functionality of smartwatches, make sure you look over the options carefully to get what you want. The possibilities are almost endless!
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Can An App Measure Blood Sugar
You are looking at a diabetic buddy. Mobile device users on both iOS and Android can download Glucose Buddy for free. Glucose Buddy claims to be the markets largest diabetes tracker. Free trial software offers good performance and comes with a few limitations if you decide to pay a premium in the future.
Which Smartwatch Measures Blood Sugar Levels
In the market for a smartwatch that can help you keep track of your blood sugar levels? If so, youre not alone. According to a study by the research firm Ipsos, released in January 2019, more than a third of Americans who own a wearable device use it to monitor their health.
But which smartwatch should you buy if you want one that can measure your blood sugar levels? Heres a look at a few of the most popular models.
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Complaints About Tandem T: Slim X2 Technology
Of course, every diabetes device has its drawbacks. Here are some that have been flagged by seasoned Basal-IQ users:
False lows: The Dexcom G6 just like any CGM sensor can generate inaccurate readings at times, such as if youre sleeping on the sensor and triggering what some folks commonly call a compression low. This can result in Basal-IQ falsely thinking it needs to shut off insulin delivery. The sensor reading will readjust to accuracy after you take the pressure off it.
Repeat data entry: You must manually enter CGM sensor glucose values into the pump before delivering any correction boluses for higher blood sugars. On one hand, it makes sense since Basal-IQ only adjusts insulin for lower glucose levels. But its a bit of a head-scratcher since the t:slim X2 is connected by Bluetooth to the Dexcom G6 CGM and has full access to that data.
Low dosing lock: If your sugars are low, Basal-IQ has suspended insulin, and you want to eat, you cant layer on a dose of insulin for the carbs youre consuming. Yes, you may currently be low or at risk of going low. But if youre about to eat a banana split, it would be a good idea to deliver some insulin to cover it to prevent a rebound high.
No scheduling profiles: Theres no automatic way to switch between basal profiles. This means if youve set up a special weekend profile, you cannot set it to kick in at midnight on Fridays. Rather, you have to remember to activate it manually.
FDA-approved in 2020.
User Feedback And Reviews
Many people in the diabetes community have shared their thoughts through the years about Basal-IQ.
One of those is Connecticut mom Samantha Merwin, whose son Logan participated in the Basal-IQ clinical trials. She said it was truly a miracle for us, particularly overnight when her son could wake up and see how many times the system had suspended his insulin while he was sleeping.
Another early adopter, Brian Mozisek in Texas, said he particularly liked how Basal-IQ offered him an ability to prevent low blood sugars during his high levels of activity and exercise.
Mozisek said it helped him more aggressively tweak his settings and watch for higher blood sugars that Basal-IQ cant address.
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Characteristics Of Glucose Sensors
The glucose sensor patch was fabricated in the laboratory. After Au was sputter-deposited onto the PI film , the counter electrodes were left as is, while other electrodes were further modified. Ag/AgCl ink was screen printed onto the extraction electrodes and the reference electrodes. For the working electrode, Prussian blue was first electrodeposited onto the Au electrode, followed by a drop-cast layer of selective membrane containing glucose oxidase and carbon nanotubes, and finally topped with a drop-cast layer of Nafion . In the presence of glucose, GOx catalyzes the following reaction:
Fig. 2: Working principle of the glucose sensor patch and characterization in a semi-infinite diffusion environment.
The product species hydrogen peroxide is then reduced by the PB transducer, eliciting an amperometric response, which reflects the fluctuation in the glucose concentration . The amperometric response is recorded under a 0.1V voltage posed by the A/D differential module relative to the reference electrode.
Fig. 3: Performance test of glucose sensors in a small volume of solution.
How Long Does The T: Slim Insulin Pump Last
The t:slim X2 insulin pump has a 4-year warranty. The warranty may depend on your insurance company policy, in what they consider new when replacing an insulin pump.
The life span of this insulin pump can depend on how active you are. If it is damaged, Tandem Diabetes Care and most insulin pump companies offer loaner programs for quick replacements.
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Hela Bio Smart Watch Blood Glucose Tester On Your Wrist
Hela Bio Smart Watch Blood Glucose Tester on your Wrist
The wearables especially smartwatches are getting more advance. We remember, that it started by just an alarm to tracking your steps, a heart rate monitor then added with calorie counter, blood pressure as well as blood oxygen monitoring.
Well, that is not enough an ECG monitoring has been integrated to give you an overall wearable, monitoring your health.
And now from Hela, the Hela Bio Smart watch, a wearable with blood glucose tester on your wrist. Pricking your skin to test your blood sugar is the thing of the past, this product from Hela will test your sweat to check for blood glucose. It is a non-invasive way of checking your blood sugar.
Design
The smart watch/smart band do have a sporty lightweight design. Looking like a fitness tracker, the wearable has a futuristic look having slightly curved design body with a silicon strap. The device is available in light, concrete, turquoise and charcoal colors. It has a high definition full color AMOLED screen with touch button key operation.
Hela Bio Smart watch Review of Features
What is a Hela Bio Smart watch?
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How does the Hela Bio Smart watch work?
The Hela Bio Smart watch can detect at least several body sugar levels.
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