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Less painful glucose monitor hits the market
A system that allows diabetics to accurately monitor their blood sugar levels without the pain usually associated with finger sticking has received FDA approval. The Atlast system, developed by Amira Medical, (Grass Valley, CA) uses microtechnology to obtain and measure glucose in a blood sample from the forearm, thigh, or upper arm—areas that have fewer nerve endings than fingertips and are therefore less sensitive.
Atlast works by creating a small break in the skin using a custom-made lancet. A capillary test strip is touched to the blood sample and uses capillary action to deliver a 2-ml sample to the test membrane. Chemicals in the test strip membrane react with the blood and produce a color change. The meter converts this into a digitally displayed glucose reading in as little as 15 seconds.
"By using microcomponents to integrate the optics, electronics, and strip design into a single product, the elimination of fingersticks became practical," says Joel Douglas, chief technology officer and cofounder of Amira.—Susan Wallace
Photo courtesy of Amira Medical
