Voice of the Diabetic

Voice of the Diabetic

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NONINVASIVE GLUCOSE MONITORS

Research continues towards

the goal of a truly noninvasive glucose monitor. The Cygnus Glucowatch is well

into the FDA approval process, and it will be useful, but it is not noninvasive;

daily finger-stick calibrations will be required.

Instrumentation Metrics.

from Chandler, Arizona, is working to perfect a "near-infrared spectroscopy"(NIR)-based

system, one that would be truly non-invasive. The monitor utilizes low-level

light, reflected from the patient's forearm, to detect changes in an individual's

blood glucose.

This idea, NIR, was tried

out some time ago, by another firm, without much success, but company data suggest

Instrumentation Metrics is having more luck.

The company says a large

"preliminary clinical trial" is underway, and that "analysis of data derived

from the first subjects to complete the study" suggest the system is acceptably

accurate. The company states what they are developing now is an "office model,"

for the physician, with a pricetag of around $10,000. They hope to eventually

offer a "personal model," with a pricetag closer to $2500 -- assuming all tests

are passed successfully.

These are very early findings.

There are many details to work out, and then the entire process of Phase 1,

2, and 3 clinicals to negotiate before approval can be considered. If the system

is successful, it will be some time before we see it on the pharmacy shelf.

For further information, see their website: www.imetricsinc.com

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