Wristwatch monitors glucose level in adult diabetics
Mon Apr 15, 6:12 AM ET
Anita Manning USA TODAY
A wristwatch that continuously monitors blood sugar levels without the need to draw blood goes on the U.S. market today.
The GlucoWatch Biographer takes readings through the skin at 20-minute intervals over 12 hours. When blood glucose rises or falls past pre-set levels, an alarm goes off.
This is the first device that can take real-time glucose readings without piercing the skin, says Rhoda Cobin of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (news - web sites). ''It will be very helpful, particularly for people who test at odd times, take continuous readings or (test) overnight.''
Glucose levels can change in minutes, depending on food intake, medication or exercise, says Russell Potts, who invented GlucoWatch. ''If you only make one measurement in12 hours, which is what most people do, you can't know what happened when you ate pizza.''
The device costs $595, and the sensors, which have to be replaced every 12 hours, sell for $69.75 for 16. Insurance does not reimburse for it.
The Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) approved the watch last year but only recently signed off on the manufacturing processes.
The GlucoWatch won't replace fingerstick blood monitoring, nor is it simple to use. It can be worn for only 12 hours, requires warm-up and calibration and skips readings if the wearer sweats.
''It's used to detect trends and track patterns,'' says Craig Carlson of watch manufacturer Cygnus Inc. in Redwood, Calif.
In development for more than 10 years, the Gluco-Watch is not yet licensed for use in children, though a look-alike gadget appears in the film Panic Room.
The watch will be sold directly by the manufacturer to consumers with a doctor's prescription. For more information, go to www.glucowatch.com or call 1-866-459-2824.
