Diabetes Technology
Diabetes Technology
Are Freestyle Libre Sensors Waterproof?
Freestyle Libre is a continuous glucose monitoring system that provides a convenient way for people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels. However, a common concern for Freestyle users is whether the sensor can get damaged when exposed to water. Freestyle Libre sensors are water-resistant meaning that they can withstand exposure to water so users can shower, bathe, and participate in water-based activities without worrying about the sensor malfunctioning. However, there are some important considerations that Freestyle users should keep in mind.
Freestyle Libre: Causes of Inaccurate Glucose Readings & What You Can Do About it
The Freestyle Libre glucose monitoring system is a popular device that allows people with diabetes to track their glucose levels easily and conveniently. However, these have been reports of inaccuracies in Freestyle Libre sensor readings.
Transitioning to an Automated Insulin Delivery Pump?: Here’s What You Need to Know
In recent years, the field of diabetes technology has experienced significant growth, particularly in the realm of automated insulin delivery systems for individuals requiring intensive insulin therapy. These advances have welcomed an era of insulin delivery through automated features that adapt to changes in blood sugar levels which closely mimics the natural function of the pancreas. The benefits of these systems include a decrease frequency and severity of hypoglycemia, reduce decision making fatigue, and stabilize overnight blood sugars. However, it is important that users that are interested in automated technology establish appropriate expectations so that they understand the advantages and limitations of automated insulin pumps.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes: What are the Benefits?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGMs) are medical devices that measure blood glucose concentrations at regular intervals for people with diabetes. While a traditional blood sugar meter provides a “snapshot” of glucose levels at a single moment in time, CGMs can provide valuable insights about blood glucose levels day and night. This allows people with diabetes to make more informed decisions by understanding how physical activity, diet, medications, and other factors affect blood sugar levels. This blog post will talk about how CGMS work and their benefits.
The Twiist with Tidepool Loop: Latest Addition to Automated Insulin Pumps
On March 18th, 2024, it was announced that Sequal's twiist Automated Insulin Delivery System powered by Tidepool Loop had received 510(k) clearance from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). People with type 1 diabetes are one step closer having an automated insulin delivery device system with a high degree of customization. Continue reading to find out what Tidepool Loop is and what features you can expect to see.
How CGM Devices Change the Game for Diabetics
(STIGMAMA/Pixabay) Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) have revolutionized the way that diabetes can be managed. The History of Testing Sugar Diabetes has been around for thousands of years. Its name, diabetes mellitus, comes from the Greek term diabetes, meaning to siphon or pass through, and the Latin term mellitus, means sweet. This name was chosen to describe people as early as 1500 B.C. with a condition that made their urine sweet. For centuries, those with diabetes mellitus were unable to quantify the glucose in their urine or blood. Although these ancient civilizations were able to identify that glucose was passing through these individuals (through literal taste tests), they didn't have a way to determine how much, nor did they have any tools to help reduce it. In the early 1900s, the first urine glucose test was developed. It was a cumbersome, multi-step process using chemical reactions. Soon after, Dr. Banting discovered insulin, and it was used to help treat those diagnosed with diabetes. In 1965, a blood glucose test strip was first developed. It was originally used solely in physicians' offices, not by individuals. It required a large drop of blood to work properly. In the 1970s and 1980s, advances were made with blood glucometers, and in the 1980s, people with type 1 diabetes began self-monitoring their blood glucose. In the years since, glucometers have improved to become more accurate, smaller, and require less blood to perform the test. CGMs Elevate Quality of Life While glucometers were invaluable for determining your glucose levels at a single moment in time, scientists were busy creating something that would measure these levels continuously. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first CGM. Since then, science has made giant leaps in blood sugar monitoring, with Medtronic, Freestyle, and Dexcom all bringing CGMs to the table. CGMs allow a much tighter and better control of any type of diabetes. Here are some of the ways CGMs improve your experience with diabetes. CGMs allow you to catch lows. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is an immediate danger. Low blood sugar is caused by a number of factors, such as too much insulin, not eating all the carbs you were dosed for, honeymooning, exercise, illness, or even changes in the temperature. Hypoglycemia can cause confusion, shakiness, sweating, fatigue, and even a seizure if not caught and treated. A CGM allows you to catch and treat low blood sugar before it enters a dangerous level. Alarms can be set on your CGM to alert you of your low or falling blood sugar. CGMs allow you to catch highs. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, if not treated, can create complications later on. All the scary things you hear about with diabetes, such as blindness or neuropathy, are typically associated with extended periods of untreated high glucose levels. With a CGM, you can be more conscious of your current blood sugar, which can help you increase the amount of time spent in your target range. Spending more time in range lowers your hbA1C, which decreases your chance of complications down the road. CGMs allow you to see how different foods affect you. You are taught at diagnosis to give insulin for carbs, but as you put it into practice, you soon realize that not all carbs are created equal. Some carbs hit harder, some hit longer, and some don't affect you. You may also start to realize that you experience a fat and protein rise after a meal heavy in those. With the data provided by a CGM, you can start to understand how different foods affect your sugars personally. Not only do different carbohydrates absorb differently, but they also affect each person individually. Learning to recognize what different foods will do can help you prepare for the next time you eat them. CGMs allow you to watch trends. When you check your blood glucose with a glucometer, you only see a snapshot of that moment. Your numbers might be in range, but it might be dropping and you aren't aware. A CGM gives you a bigger picture of what is actually happening. The more you watch the graphs of your sugar, the more you will be able to recognize how the graph looks when it starts to level off, how steep of a drop is too fast, or where some of your insulin needs may need to be adjusted. CGMs are also very helpful in dialing in your basal requirements. CGMs allow you to sleep more soundly. Blood sugar fluctuations don't take a break at night. You might have been advised at diagnosis to check your blood sugar at 2:00 am to prevent lows in the night. A CGM makes checking your sugar easier than fumbling for test strips in the dark. If you wake to alarms, you can even set your high and low glucose alarms to wake you if you are out of range. CGMs allow you to pre-bolus more effectively. If your doctor has suggested pre-bolusing (taking insulin at a set time before eating) to help the peak performance of the insulin match the peak absorption of the carbs you are eating, a CGM will help you recognize the best time to start eating. If you were already high and have a corrective dose and dose for carbs together, you will want to wait longer than if you were lower and about to eat. Studies show that individuals with a CGM can better manage their diabetes diagnosis. This will lead to a healthier life with fewer complications. Achieving the same results without a tool to watch your sugars consistently would be nearly impossible. Once you have your CGM, don't forget to grab some Medtronic adhesive tape, Dexcom overpatches, or Freestyle Libre sensor adhesive to keep your CGM secured on your skin, whether you’re sleeping, sweating at the gym, or showering. With all this wonderful technology and data available to you, the last thing you want is for your CGM to fall off prematurely and leave you pricking your fingers again while you wait for a replacement. Infographic Diabetes mellitus are greek words that mean ‘siphoning through,’ referring to the symptom of increased urine production due to an imbalance in blood sugar levels. People with diabetes have difficulty managing their blood sugar levels and often suffer from long-term complications, such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. An astonishing transformation has occurred in the diabetes community due to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. This infographic will explain why CGM devices have drastically improved how people with diabetes manage their condition. Video
Dexcom G7 vs Freestyle Libre 3: The Biggest Differences
It is an exciting time in diabetes technology! The newest generations of CGMs are here, Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3. Both Dexcom and Freestyle Libre, the largest manufacturers of CGM systems, have announced the roll out of their newest devices. Continue reading to learn more about the biggest differences between the Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3.
An Even Better Version of the T: Slim X2 Around the Corner?
(Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels) Your diabetes diagnosis comes with so much information to absorb. Learning how to regulate and check blood sugar can be overwhelming in itself. Then you've got to know about insulin, carb counting, sliding scales, etc. Luckily, in this day and age we have many medical devices to help manage your diabetes easily. Today we'll learn all about the t: slim X2 insulin pump and then share what we know about the upcoming t: slim X3. What is the T: Slim X2 Insulin Pump? The Tandem t: Slim X2 insulin pump is the first FDA-cleared insulin pump capable of remote feature updates. Patients can use a personal computer to keep their pump up to date with the latest technology during the pump's warranty period. The pump is designed for subcutaneous insulin delivery at set and variable rates. It's designed with a user-friendly touch screen and offers bright colors on the screen for easy readability. It's the smallest durable pump on the market, making it an excellent option for active users. The T: Slim X2 is the first insulin pump cleared to deliver automatic correction boluses and adjust insulin to prevent high or low blood sugar. The t: slim with Control-IQ works in tandem with the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM), so you can say goodbye to finger pricks for good. Biggest Perks of the t: slim X2 Insulin Pump Predicts and Helps Prevent Low and High Blood Sugar This revolutionary Control-IQ technology uses CGM readings to predict your glucose values 30 minutes ahead and increases, decreases, or stops basal insulin delivery to ensure your glucose is in range. (70-180 mg/dL). Automatic Correction Boluses If your pump predicts that your glucose levels will be above 180 mg/dL, the control-IQ technology will calculate a correction bolus with a target of 110 mg/dL and deliver 60 percent of that value. It will automatically do this up to every hour if needed. Sleep and Exercise Accommodations Part of the control-IQ technology is a feature that offers additional settings for exercise and sleep. This feature alters the treatment values to manage better and match the different variables needed during these activities. No Finger pricks With the Dexcom G6 CGM integration, you'll never have to stick your fingertip again; hallelujah! The Dexcom G6 CGM also entails an extended 10-day wear, an acetaminophen block, and a feature that allows you to share your real-time data with up to 10 followers. User-Friendly One of the most significant selling points of the t: slim x2 is that it’s easy to use. It doesn't require special training or the mastery of complicated instructions. It's straightforward to navigate for people with diabetes of all ages. If the CGM signal is lost temporarily, the Control-IQ feature will automatically resume when the CGM is back in range and action. What We Know about the t: slim x3 The t: slim x3 has not yet hit the market but will be an upgraded version of the already remarkable x2. It will have features that make life even easier for individuals with type 1 diabetes. Tandem t: slim X3 will be Tandem's third generation t: slim pump. The first t: slim pump was launched in August 2012. The second version (t: slim x2) hit the market in 2016 and made waves as it was the first insulin pump compatible with CGM. Here's what we know about the upcoming t: slim X3: 1. Will offer improved battery life. 2. Will have a USB-C instead of a Micro USB (Micro USB is not capable of fast-charging and requires a longer wait when recharging your smartphone). Data transfer up to 10 Gbps Can be inserted with any orientation Capable of up to 100 watts of power Capable of fast-charging Saves time when recharging your smartphone 3. Wireless software updates. No need to hook it up to your computer for software updates Will enable more software updates and bug fixes Refreshed User Interface More aesthetically pleasing Even more user-friendly 4. Will have enhanced technology. It is being designed to include enhanced technology, such as greater processing power and capability to support the advanced algorithms. 5. Will hold 300 units of insulin. The t: slim X2 is not sophisticated enough to run this new algorithm integrated into the t: slim X3. It will be a new algorithm requiring a new hardware upgrade. The X3 is a more high-tech, user-friendly, and all-around upgraded version of the t: slim x2. It will be a remarkable stride in the world of insulin pumps. As you await the t: slim x3, learn about our insulin pump tape that will be the cherry on top of this revolutionary pump. Our tape secures your diabetes device so it will stay in place, allowing you to be active and live life with one less worry. Reach out to us with any questions you may have.
Dexcom G7: What’s the Difference Between the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7?
After much anticipation, the diabetes community celebrates the long-awaited release of the latest generation of continuous glucose monitoring. Keep reading to learn more about how the latest Dexcom release and how it differs from previous generations.
Freestyle Libre 3: What Is It and How Does It Work?
What’s new about the Freestyle Libre 3? Read on to know more about the differences that make the Freestyle Libre 3 stand out.
Diabetes Devices Up Close: The Eversense E3
If you follow the Skin Grip blog, you may have noticed our new deep dives into diabetes devices, such as the Dexcom G6 or the Abbott Freestyle Libre. Each month, we cover devices in-depth— their special features, how they work, and how you can start the process of acquiring one. This month, we examine the Eversense E3, one of the most unique diabetes devices on the market. What is the Eversense E3? The Eversense E3 is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which can measure blood glucose levels every five minutes. This frequent measuring interval allows patients to have constant updates on their blood sugar throughout the day, facilitating diabetes management. Additionally, the device can record trends over time by tracking movement in blood glucose levels throughout each day and saving that data for later analysis. The E3 is the most recent iteration of the Eversense device. While old models were approved to remain in place for 180 days, the E3 can be used for up to six months. Reports also indicate that Eversense is working to extend that time to a full year as soon as possible, though testing and FDA approval are necessary before that can happen. In the meantime, the Eversense E3 only needs replacing twice a year, unlike other CGMs, which need replacing at least twice a month. How does it work? While most CGMs are inserted onto the skin by users, the Eversense E3 stands alone as the only CGM which is inserted under the skin and remains there for up to six months. The device is inserted as a sterile procedure in a doctor’s office, where an incision is made, and the device is placed in the upper arm. The wound is then sealed with dressings to keep the incision site clean while it heals. After a few days of healing, the device can be paired with a wireless transmitter that is attached to the arm with an adhesive bandage. The transmitter then sends data collected by the internal sensor to your smartphone app. How do I use this device? The sensor itself requires very little care beyond replacement. Unlike other CGMs, sensors are removed and replaced by healthcare professionals with special training to perform the procedure. Users are responsible for keeping the wireless transmitter charged, attached to their arm, and calibrated with their smartphone app. The transmitter is attached with adhesive bandages, such as Tegaderm. Skin Grip’s adhesive patches a can also be used to secure the Eversense E3’s transmitter firmly in place. Our tape rolls work great, too. The Eversense E3’s smartphone app is used as the primary display for the device, which shows the user’s blood glucose level, the current trend (whether it is rising or falling and how quickly) in blood glucose, and charts showing blood glucose levels over time. The app is also used to calibrate the transmitter and sensor, which must be done with a traditional finger stick twice daily for the first three weeks of use. Like many other CGMs, the Eversense E3 provides alerts when blood glucose reaches unsafe levels. How much does it cost? The cost of an Eversense system can depend on insurance coverage and financial aid eligibility, but some estimates put the cost of the Eversense at approximately $3,000 per year, including the system and semiannual doctor’s visits. Will a CGM get in the way of daily activities? A CGM shouldn’t preclude people with type 1 diabetes from any activity, though some care may be necessary to protect your medical devices. The Eversense E3’s sensor is inside the body, so it is protected from the elements, but the transmitter requires care. Though the transmitter is water-resistant, it will not withstand submersion for very long. Additionally, users must be sure to keep it secure, as it is necessary for the system to function. An adhesive overpatch is a great way to protect CGMs. Skin Grip’s patches are specifically designed to protect diabetes devices, such as the Dexcom G6, Freestyle Libre, and Medtronic Guardian sensors. Additionally, they can keep Eversense E3 transmitters securely fastened. Skin Grip’s overlay patches keep people with diabetes active and worry-free, whether they’re showering, dancing, or getting pumped at the gum. How can I get one? The Eversense E3 can be obtained here and checking your eligibility with their care representatives. Like other CGM devices, a prescription will be required from a healthcare provider. These representatives can also assist potential users in investigating financial aid and cost-saving steps. At Skin Grip We are constantly teaming up with influencers and voices in the diabetes community to design new products, content, and charitable giving opportunities. We even allow our users to choose which diabetes charity we donate to each month in our A11 for 1 program. Skin Grip is a company that isn’t just about making great products for people with CGMs, but helping everyone with diabetes break through limitations. If you have an Eversense E3 device, we look forward to helping you maximize its use so you can live fearlessly.
Diabetes Devices Up Close: Dexcom G6 Edition
While glucose meters are a helpful tool in diabetes management, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can provide people with diabetes a better picture of their blood glucose trends throughout the day. CGMs provide blood sugar data throughout the entire day and night which can help detect trends and patterns to improve diabetes management.
