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Blood Glucose Monitoring S-Curve

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Blood Glucose Monitoring

Introduction

Blood Glucose monitoring has seen many different technologies. From the basic needle testing technology to now used insulin pumps, the technology has seen many disruptive innovations, which together have shaped the market to the way it is now. In general, the major disruptive technologies in the blood glucose monitoring market can be summarized as follows:

1. Needle-prick detection- This technology involved the use of a needle to collect blood on a strip. The blood was later analyzed using a glucose meter to give the reading of blood glucose level. Even though the technology was simplistic and fairly accurate, the problems involved lack of compliance due to pain in finger pricking and blood loss.

2. Non-invasive glucose monitoring- This technology involved the use of innovative devices like watches that pulled the interstitial fluid non-invasively form under the skin and used this fluid in an in-built glucose monitor to give a blood glucose reading. Even though the development efforts for this project started in 1991, it was not until 2002 that the first non-invasive glucose monitor was approved. The advantages of this technology are the ease of use and continuous monitoring. However, initial devices struggled with accuracy and were extremely uncomfortable and unreliable for the patients.

3. Implantable glucose monitor with insulin pumps- This technology involves an implant of the glucose monitor in the body and continuously draws blood from one of the veins to take the blood glucose readings. The development of this technology began around the same time as non-invasive glucose monitoring. In the recent years, implantable blood glucose monitors have been combined with insulin pumps forming a feedback loop to automatically control the blood glucose levels in the body.

Development of Glucose monitoring technologies

Needle-prick method was one of the earliest innovations in blood glucose monitoring and stayed the gold standard for a while. Right from the time, Ames Company released Dextrosix in 1965, this invasive method of blood glucose technology advanced rapidly. Even though the first glucose meter took six years to follow the Dextrostix blood strip, advancements followed rapidly. There were 2 companies in the market in 1971, but by 1987, there were 20 companies in market working on producing a better glucose meter. By 1987, as standard glucose monitoring technologies were hitting a plateau in terms of innovation, an effort to begin low-cost glucose monitoring started. This effort was directed at making the glucose monitors easily available at home, making patient use easier.

In this essay, the author

  • Explains that blood glucose monitoring has seen many different technologies, from basic needle testing technology to now used insulin pumps.
  • Explains the needle-prick detection technology, which involved the use of a needle to collect blood, and the glucose meter to give the reading of blood glucose level.
  • Explains the advantages of non-invasive glucose monitoring, including ease of use and continuous monitoring. however, initial devices struggled with accuracy and were unreliable for the patients.
  • Explains implantable glucose monitors with insulin pumps are a feedback loop that automatically controls blood glucose levels in the body.
  • Explains that ames company releases dextrostix, which work by applying a drop of blood onto paper that would change color according to the patient’s glucose level.
  • Explains that anton hubert clemens received the first patent for a blood glucose meter called the ames reflectance meter on september 14, 1971.
  • Explains that the fda, cdc, and american diabetes association convened to discuss self monitoring of blood glucose. they found that self-monitoring is a key tool in diabetes treatment.
  • Explains that the medical industry begins to produce lower cost home glucose meters, allowing more patients better access to care.
  • Explains that national institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases publishes study which shows that self-monitored glucose reduced chances for complications by 76% for eye disease, 50% for kidney disease and 60% for nerve disease.
  • Analyzes how the race to find a non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring system heats up as one company claims to have invented it.
  • Explains that the needle-prick method was one of the earliest innovations in blood glucose monitoring.
  • Analyzes the s-curve for glucose monitoring technologies using time, patient comfort, and insulin pumps.
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      In this essay, the author

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      • Explains the advantages of using a wired insulin pump rather than an omnipod or taking shots.
      • Explains that medtronic pumps release rapid or short acting insulin through the day. the pump automatically delivers the basil insulin over a 24 hour period and keeps the blood glucose levels in the good range.
      • Explains that the pump can be clipped to sheets, pajamas, pillows, or even stuffed toys. it should be removed when put in water although it is water resistant.
      • Explains that inhalable insulin and insulin in the form of a pill are being experimented on as we speak.
      • Explains that symlin helps control blood glucose levels after eating and slows down food from leaving the stomach and restricts appetite. it can be taken from a pen form or vial form.
      • Explains that stress, caffeine, and illness can raise and reduce a patient's blood glucose level, while climate, high altitudes and medication can lower it.
      • Explains that diabetes is a condition that can happen to anyone at any time but with different methods it can be safe and manageable.
      • Explains cissell, michelle a., "don't sweat it! exercise and type 1 diabetes." jdrf improving lives curing type 1.
      • Explains the benefits of using an insulin pump to live with diabetes. diabetes.org, 21 aug 2013.
      • Opines that indian scientists develop insulin pills for diabetics. the economic times, 20 dec. 2013.
      • Explains scheiner, gary, walsh, john, and ruth roberts. "type 1 non insulin therapies." diabetes education online. university of california, san francisco.
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    • Insulin Degludec; a New Long-Acting Insulin
      explanatory essay
      The ultimate goal of diabetic management is the control and stabilization of blood glucose levels. This continual stabilization of glucose reduces the patient’s risk of developing diabetic related health issues and problems in the future. By reducing or even eliminating obstacles that prevent patients from following prescribed insulin treatment therapies can increase patient compliance and improve patients health overall.

      In this essay, the author

      • Explains that diabetes mellitus is a common and increasing in prevalence, disease process afflicting many. proper treatment, management and ultimately control of diabetes are complex and difficult tasks.
      • Opines that following an insulin therapy schedule will better control blood glucose levels and help prevent future incidences of diabetic health issues. however, these therapies are not routinely followed.
      • Explains that insulin degludec is a newly developed long-acting insulin currently being used in the united kingdom.
      • Opines that insulin degludec would be beneficial for patients with a history of hypoglycemia, nocturnal or fear of the latter. insulin variability results in some individuals experiencing the therapeutic effect of current long-acting insulins.
      • Explains the ultimate goal of diabetic management is the control and stabilization of blood glucose levels, which reduces the patient's risk of developing diabetes related health issues in the future.
      • Explains that long-acting insulin is a common and conventional treatment therapy for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
      • Describes a 52-week randomized clinical study where patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were treated with insulin glargine or insulin degludec.
      • Explains that insulin degludec reduces the frequency of hypoglycemia and allows for a flexible dosing schedule, compared to insulin glargine, which must be taken at the same time every day.
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    • Why The Discovery of Insulin is a Defining Moment in Canadian History
      explanatory essay
      During the year 1889, two researchers, Joseph Von Mering and Oskar Minkowski, had discovered the disease that is known today as diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the insulin levels (a hormone produced in unique cells called the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas) in the bloodstream are irregular and therefore affect the way the body uses sugars, as well as other nutrients. Up until the 1920’s, it was known that being diagnosed with diabetes was a death sentence which usually affected “children and adults under 30.” Those who were diagnosed were usually very hungry and thirsty, which are two of the symptoms associated with diabetes. However, no matter how much they ate, their bodies wouldn’t be able to use the nutrients due to the lack of insulin. This would lead to a very slow and painful death. In 1922, four Canadian researchers by the names of Frederick G. Banting, Charles H. Best, John J.R. MacLeod, and James B. Collip had discovered a way to separate insulin in the pancreas of dogs and prepare it in such a way so that it can be used to treat diabetic patients. In the year 2008, there were 1,656,470 people who suffered from diabetes in Canada, and by 2010, it is predicted that this disease will take over the lives of 285 million people . Although there is no cure for diabetes, the treatment of prepared insulin is prolonging the lives of diabetics and allowing them to live freely. The discovery of insulin was important and significant in Canada’s history because Banting was a Canadian medical scientist who had a purpose in finding a treatment for diabetes, its discovery has saved lives and improved the quality of life of those suffering from this disease, and it showed the world Canada’s medical technology was ...

      In this essay, the author

      • Explains that the discovery of insulin was important in canada's history because it saved lives and improved the quality of life of those suffering from diabetes.
      • Describes frederick banting as a dedicated and devoted canadian teacher and medical scientist who spent time educating and helping others.
      • Explains that banting was the first canadian to win a nobel prize in physiology and medicine in 1923, and he split it with two other researchers who assisted macleod and himself in this great discovery.
      • Explains that the discovery of insulin has greatly improved the quality of life and saved the lives of those suffering from diabetes.
      • Opines that the discovery of insulin to be used as a treatment for diabetics has changed the lives of many people around the world.
      • Explains that the isolation of insulin was the first major breakthrough moment in canada's medical technology. the first islet of langerhans transplant, led by dr. ray rajotte, took place at the university of alberta in 1982.
      • Explains how banting's discovery of insulin set canada apart from the rest of the british empire.
      • Explains that the discovery of insulin has greatly affected the world today, since diabetics can live freely and experience very little pain compared to diabetes about 90 years ago.
      • Describes canada's statistics on diabetes, by age group and sex.
      • Cites rosenfeld, louis. insulin: discovery and controversy. american association for clinical chemistry inc.
      • Cites ferguson, pamela, "sir frederick grant banting." world book's biographical encyclopedia of scientists.
      • Analyzes neises, bernd richter, and gudrun's research on human and animal insulin in people with diabetes mellitus. governors seek generic insulin ruling from fda.
      • Explains that controversy continues to surround generic insulin.
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    • Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes)
      explanatory essay
      Type 1 diabetes, is an incurable but treatable disease which can occur at any age but is mostly found in children due to the high levels of glucose in the blood (Eckman 2011). Juvenile diabetes affects about 1 in every 400-600 children and more than 13,000 are diagnosed yearly (Couch 2008). Type 1 Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone, which helps glucose gets into your cells to provide energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums and teeth (American Diabetes Association). Previous research has suggested proper insulin management, a balanced diet and exercise will help maintain glycemic control and lessen the chance of complications (Couch 2008).

      In this essay, the author

      • Explains that the jdrf will be supporting research in both primary and secondary prevention. the approach uses a universal infant – childhood immunization with three distinguished vaccine targets.
      • Explains how the evolution in technology has had a huge impact in research and treatment, like continuous glucose monitors, which help patients better manage their glucose levels.
      • Explains that being a parent with children who suffer from juvenile diabetes has put an emotional and mental burden on the family.
      • Explains that juvenile diabetes has no cure, but a number of treatments are available to avoid further complications.
      • Explains that type 1 diabetes is an incurable but treatable disease that affects children due to the high levels of glucose in the blood.
      • Explains that the juvenile diabetes research fund (jdrf) is supporting the development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers of complications risk, staging, progression, and responses to therapies.
      • Cites eckman, a.s., pubmed health, and neithercott, t.
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