Patients can read glucose levels every five minutes

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the Guardian RT Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. Before general distribution, the unit is being undergoing limited release in a select number of U.S. sites by the manufacturer, Medtronic Diabetes in order to evaluate training and education.

Recording as many as 864 glucose readings within a 72-hour period, the Guardian RT System uses a disposable glucose sensor connected to a transmitter that communicates to a monitor by means of radio frequency. The replaceable sensor measures glucose in the interstitial fluid between body cells. Glucose measurements are relayed every five minutes from the transmitter to the monitor, which displays them on its screen. Alarms may be programmed to alert patients of potentially dangerous glucose levels. Data may be downloaded to a computer by means of therapy management software and a docking station and used for trend reporting and charting. Calibration is accomplished at 12-hour intervals by entering glucose measurements into the monitor from a standard blood glucose meter. The system is designed for use by patients with Type 1 and 2 diabetes.