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Devices on the Market

All of the continuous glucose monitoring systems currently on the market measure glucose levels continuously and display glucose levels on a screen every five minutes. However, all must be calibrated with conventional blood glucose meter readings several times a day. They are approved for use in adults age 18 and older and require a prescription for purchase. The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System and Guardian REAL-Time System are also available in pediatric models, approved for children ages 7–17.

Product: Seven System
Manufacturer: DexCom, Inc.
(877) 339-2664
www.dexcom.com
The Seven System is composed of three separate elements—a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver—that work together to provide real-time glucose measurements for up to seven days. The receiver can show glucose trends for 1-hour, 3-hour, and 9-hour periods. An alarm lets the user know if his glucose level is below 55 mg/dl, and the user can set optional alerts to let him know if his glucose level has risen or fallen outside of a target range that he defines.

The Seven System is not meant to replace traditional blood glucose monitoring and must be calibrated with two readings from a One-Touch Ultra blood glucose meter two hours after a new sensor is inserted and an additional reading at least every 12 hours thereafter.

Product: MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System
Manufacturer: Medtronic MiniMed
(800) MINIMED (646-4633)
www.minimed.com
The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System combines a MiniMed Paradigm insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitoring system that can transmit data to the pump. The glucose sensor, which is a tiny electrode that is inserted just below the skin, sends updated readings every five minutes via a transmitter to the insulin pump, which displays the reading and can additionally show graphs of glucose trends from the previous 3-hour and 24-hour periods. An alarm sounds when glucose levels have risen above or dropped below thresholds programmed into the pump by the user.

The system cannot automatically adjust the amount of insulin being delivered by the pump.

Two MiniMed pumps can be used with this system: the MiniMed Paradigm 522 insulin pump, which holds up to 176 units of insulin, and the MiniMed Paradigm 722 insulin pump, which holds up to 300 units of insulin.

Product: Guardian REAL-Time System
Manufacturer: Medtronic MiniMed
(800) 206-REAL (7325)
www.minimed.com/products/guardian
The Guardian REAL-Time System displays glucose values on a monitor every five minutes and has alarms to alert the user to high or low levels. The system can record up to 288 glucose readings per day, which can be transferred and analyzed on a computer via a docking station and software.

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