Diabetes Technology

Meters & Monitors

Blood Glucose Meters Current Continuous Monitors Comparison of Available Monitors Various Future Monitors Improving Today's Meters Other Monitors Older Monitors

Continuous Monitors

A continuous monitor reveals short-term trends in the blood sugar as they happen. You can see the direction your blood sugar is taking in the last 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, or 24 hours, depending on what times the monitor offers. Various companies have already released continuous monitors, with more companies developing theirs every day. Significant differences in accuracy can be seen in one individual when two different continuous monitors are worn at the same time.

Available Monitors:

Guardian REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

In 1999, MiniMed received FDA approval for it's CGMS system in June of 1999 for 3-day use in a physician's office.

MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time System

In 2006, some 14 years after beginning its CGMS project, MiniMed received FDA approval for sale of its Paradigm REAL-Time System. This system integrates the x22 series of Paradigm pumps with a continuous glucose monitor. The monitor's accuracy is not good enough to give bolus doses from and it is certainly not accurate enough to "close the loop" which still appears to be several years off. But it does help determine trends in blood sugar levels and can provide early warning for when a blood sugar test may be warranted for a rise or fall in the blood sugar.

Dexcom SEVEN

DexCom, headquartered in San Diego, California, is focused on developing technology for continuous glucose monitoring to improve the lives of people with diabetes. Their DexCom STS system was approved by the FDA on March 27, 2006. Since then, Dexcom has upgraded their system to the new Dexcom SEVEN.

Abbott FreeStyle Navigator®

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in the United States for people with diabetes. Designed to discretely and continuously measure glucose levels through a sensor in the back of the upper arm or abdomen, this system provides minute-by-minute information about which way and how quickly blood sugar levels are changing. This information can lead to adjustments that can result in tighter glucose ranges. As with all current continuous monitors, a traditional fingerstick glucose test should be performed before making any treatment decisions.