Updated November 18, 2008

New Tools 2008

by Diane Fennell

The management of diabetes requires a certain amount of paraphernalia: A meter, lancing device, lancets, and test strips, for a start, and some people use many more devices and supplies than just these. Each year, product manufacturers work on developing both new technologies and devices for better diabetes control and refinements to existing technologies and devices. This year saw the arrival of a number of highly anticipated products, including an electronic lancing device and a new continuous glucose monitoring system, as well as the introduction of several tried-and-true tools newly equipped with innovative technology.

Lancing device

Product: Pelikan Sun electronic lancing device

Manufacturer: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
(877) PELIKAN (735-4526)
www.pelikansun.com

What it does: The electronic Pelikan Sun lancing device incorporates a 50-lancet disk that automatically uses a new lancet for each blood glucose check; the user never has to see or handle a lancet. The device features 30 settings for depth, speed, and “dwell time” (the length of time the lancet spends in the finger), which can be customized for each finger. According to the manufacturer, the Pelikan Sun’s use of electronics, rather than a spring-loaded mechanism, to control the lancing process results in significantly less pain, smoother penetration and retraction of the lancet, spontaneous blood flow (meaning that the finger does not need to be “milked”), a quicker stoppage of bleeding, and quick healing of the lancing site. Additional benefits of the Pelikan Sun include the healing of bruised and calloused fingertips and improved sensation in the fingers.

Availability: The Pelikan Sun lancing device, a protective case for the device, lancet disks, and a carrying case for the extra lancet disks can all be purchased by creating a free account at www.pelikansun.com and clicking on “How to buy.”

Blood glucose meters
Product: Clever Chek Auto-Code Voice

Manufacturer: Simple Diagnostics
(877) DIABETK (342-2385)
www.simplediagnostics.com

What it does: A meter option for people who are blind or have limited vision, the Clever Chek Auto-Code Voice is a no-coding meter that has a large display and provides spoken instructions and blood glucose readings in either English or Spanish. A repeat function allows the user to view and hear up to 450 blood glucose results.

This meter requires a 0.7-microliter blood sample from the fingertips, palms, forearms, upper arms, thighs, or calves, and it returns results in 7 seconds. If the meter registers a blood glucose result above 240 mg/dl, it warns the user to check for ketones. Up to 450 readings can be held in the memory, and the meter can calculate blood glucose averages for 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, 60-, and 90-day periods. Additionally, data can be uploaded and analyzed on a computer using free software available on the company Web site and a standard USB computer cable, available in most computer supply stores.

Availability: The Clever Chek Auto-Code Voice is available from retailers nationwide.

This product update was prepared by Diane Fennell, an Associate Editor at Diabetes Self-Management.

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