Dexcom G6 CGM ensures freedom from routine finger pricks in diabetes patients

Diabetes patients can now gain freedom from bothersome and painful finger pricks for glucose self-monitoring as new Dexcom G6 CGM makes its way in European and US market.  Dexcom, Inc. a leader in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) announced on June 12, 2018, that it has received European approval (CE mark) to market its Dexcom G6 for people with diabetes ages two years and above.

Since it’s introduction nearly 4 decades ago, fingerstick blood glucose testing has been the cornerstone of diabetes self-management. But pricking your finger ten or more times a day is painful, cumbersome and requires a lot of paraphernalia.

Dexcom G6 is a breakthrough in the field of continuous glucose monitoring, especially for people who require insulin. It does not require a finger prick even for calibrating the system.

The G6 sensor has improved longevity of 10 days instead of 7 and the transmitter also got a new look with a reduction in size by 28%. People taking acetaminophen can also accurately monitor their blood glucose levels as the protective membrane over the sensor does not interfere with the readings.

The new Dexcom also comes with an auto-applicator that makes the sensor insertion simple and painless. Simply press the applicator with the patch onto your skin and press the orange button. The patch and sensor are ready to take the readings.

The Dexcom is syn with your iPhone, or any other smartphone device. For international users, the readings can also be displayed on a small touchscreen receiver. The receiver needs charging every 2 days and can be charged with micro-USB.

The receiver for the new G6 has not undergone much change, and users of G5 can upgrade the receiver by a simple software update.  

Most people syn their G6 with a mobile device or Apple watch so that they are saved the hassle of carrying an additional device. The data can be shared with 5 additional people using the Dexcom Follow app or shared with your doctor using the Dexcom Clarity platform.

The Dexcom also alerts the user in event of blood sugar is trending toward 55 mg/dL in less than 20 minutes. This allows for ample time for the users to act.

This is the only CGM indicated for children ages 2 years and older.

It’s available for shipping to consumers in the US since early June.

Dexcom G6News Release  

On the go blood glucose monitoring by inbuilt Glucometer in Smartphone Case

With a wide array of features like GPS, depth perception and many health-related features like BP and ECG monitoring, Smartphones have become indispensable part of our daily lives. They are the health gadgets of future. But, so far nothing was much developed for diabetics, other than the use of  phone screen to display results of continuous glucose monitoring on the screen.

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have cleverly integrated a glucose monitor in the smartphone case and app, that will enable diabetic patients to record and track their blood glucose readings, whether they’re at home or on the go.

Currently, there is no way for people with diabetes to check the blood glucose when they are out of the house or travelling. They must pack the whole kit and carry it along with them.

Patrick Mercier, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego is the brain behind this new gadget. “Integrating blood glucose sensing into a smartphone would eliminate the need for patients to carry a separate device,” said Patrick Mercier, he said in a news release. “An added benefit is the ability to autonomously store, process and send blood glucose readings from the phone to a care provider or cloud service.”

The new device is named GPhone, and has two main parts. A slim, aesthetically designed, 3D printed case that fits over the smartphone with a permanent, reusable sensor at the top left corner.

The sensor has to be activated by one-time use enzyme packed pellets that magnetically attach to the sensor.

To run a test, a user has to activate the sensor by dispensing a pellet on it, followed by adding a drop of blood to the now activated sensor. The sensor measures the glucose concentration and wireless send it via a Bluetooth to a custom designed android app, that displays the results on the screen.

The user can communicate the results with his healthcare provider or store it in icloud, to track it over a long period of time.

The pellet is discarded after use and the sensor is deactivated. A 3D printed stylus with capacity of 30 pellets store them, and remains attached to the side of the case.

The pellet contains enzyme called glucose oxidase which reacts with glucose and generates an electrical signal in proportion to glucose levels that is picked by the sensor’s electrode.

The work is currently at proof of concept stage. Joseph Wang, nanoengineering professor and his other colleagues dream of integrating the monitor with the smartphone instead of case. They are also working currently to reduce the amount of blood needed for testing and bringing down the cost of the pellets, which are costlier than usual test strips.

The work was recently published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

UC San DiegoNewsletter

Journal Abstract 

All Media: Courtesy UC San Diego Newsletter