When an individual is diagnosed with diabetes, the struggle to maintain normal blood sugar levels is a personal challenge that affects their daily life. New technologies are being rapidly developed to help make this challenge easier. It is difficult for many diabetics to obtain access to these new technologies. Shifting competition, supply shortages and more are causing this to happen.
Fiasp
Approximately a quarter of the individual who have type 2 diabetes must take insulin. A certain number of these people take insulin designed to be fast-acting and must be taken prior to a meal. This has caused people to experience blood glucose levels that are high or low and must be adjusted by the amount of carbohydrates in a meal. It is a situation that can easily lead to errors. Fiasp is a fast-acting insulin formulation with vitamin B3. This has been proven to double the rate of insulin absorption when tested against current insulins. This new insulin formulation is able to be in a person’s bloodstream and working in less than three minutes.
FreeStyle Libre Flash
This is a new blood glucose monitoring device. It is new to people in the United States, but it has been used all over Europe since 2014. FreeStyle Libre Flash is a round patch with a catheter. It can be placed in a person’s arm for as long as ten days. The patch comes with an efficient scanning device. When someone wants to know their blood sugar level, they can simply wave the scanning device over the patch to get a reading.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
There are also two other CGMs available. Those who use the FreeStyle Libre Flash do not have to prick their fingers to provide blood for a calibrated blood test. Individuals who use the CGMs from other companies located in the United States are required to do finger stick calibrations twice a day. They are also only able to be worn by a diabetic for seven days. Cost information for the FreeStyle Libre Flash in the United States has yet to be provided. The FreeStyle Libre Flash in Europe is estimated to cost users less than five dollars a day.
Insulin Pump
There is a new insulin pump known as t:slim X2. It has two-way Bluetooth capabilities. This insulin pump provides insulin delivery algorithms automatically. It is also able to receive online software updates as needed. There is no need for its users to pay a fee to upgrade the insulin pump or wait for a new insulin pump with updates.
GCM Values
The Medtronic Minimed 670G is the first system of its kind to provide insulin delivery based on Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) values. Approved by the FDA, this system provides the user with advanced reliable functionality. It is designed to communicate with a finger stick meter. This system has been designed, so it is able to communicate simultaneously with several external devices including a transmitter as well as a smartphone app on a patient’s or physician’s phone and more.
Unlimited Test Strips
A monthly subscription service in being offered by One Drop Premium for individuals with diabetes. For a specified monthly payment individuals can receive unlimited test strips. They will also be provided with a blood glucose meter that is Bluetooth-enabled. People who use this service will also have around-the-clock coaching from a mobile app. Diabetics will be able to receive coaching from a diabetes educator who has been certified.
The technology associated with treating diabetes continues to grow and improve. There is a real effort in the technology industry to improve insulin delivery systems as well as monitoring blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes are being provided with many new options designed to make their lives easier.
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