Page 125 - Glucose Monitoring Devices

126 CHAPTER 6 CGM sensor technology

FIGURE 6.7
Artificial pancreas device system [18].
that a user or medical provider could use to identify trends and patterns for use in
adjusting treatment plans. Several companies, including Companion Medical,
Patients Pending, Innovation Zed, and Novo Nordisk, are attempting to change
that by developing insulin pens that can provide data to be displayed by an app
and used to track information like dosage amount, injection time, and missed
injections.

Commercial systems
Overview
Currently, the four systems that are approved have unique differences in their imple-
mentation that enable a variety of choices for customer options in product features.
One of the more prominent differences is that both transcutaneous and subcutaneous
systems are currently available CGM systems. Transcutaneous sensors based
systems consist of a very thin filament that is inserted through the skin and have a
transmitter attached to the portion of the sensor above the skin. Users of transcuta-
neous CGM systems self-insert the sensor after being appropriately trained. Depend-
ing upon the manufacturer, currently available transcutaneous sensors last for 1 or
2 weeks, at which time a new sensor is inserted.
Implanted sensors are placed completely under the skin and provide CGM read-
ings for months. Implantable sensors are inserted by a healthcare provider during an
in-office procedure using local anesthetic and a small incision. Currently available