The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Eversense® Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System from Sensionics Holdings Inc. for people with diabetes in the United States. The system is the first and only CGM system to feature an implantable glucose sensor and provide long-term continuous monitoring for up to three months.
Technology in managing diabetes has literally exploded in the past decade with the development and improvement of a variety CGM systems. These systems allow patient with diabetes and their physicians to better appreciate the trajectory and patterns of the blood sugars in order to make more intelligent changes in therapy. Traditionally, these systems have been applied to the skin, where they remain for various periods of time, and sample the glucose in the tissue under the skin. Many of these systems no longer require the use of fingersticks to manage sugars and some are compatible with Bluetooth devices.
“Research has repeatedly demonstrated the clinical benefits patients experience with regular CGM use, including improved glucose control and protection against severe hypoglycemia," said Steven Edelman, MD, Professor of Medicine at University of California San Diego, Founder & Director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, and Senseonics Board member. "Despite these benefits, a significant number of people with diabetes do not use, or have access to, continuous glucose monitoring. Furthermore, the data shows that many people who've tried traditional CGM in the past either don't wear it as often as they should or don't stick with it for a variety of reasons, including concerns surrounding sensor accuracy, sensor insertion, and sensor discomfort. So, it's important that patients have choices and that medical device companies continue to advance the field of CGM with innovations that make it easier for the end user."
The Eversense System addresses many of the barriers to CGM use. The system consists of a fluorescence-based sensor, a smart transmitter worn over the sensor to facilitate data communication, and a mobile app for displaying glucose values, trends and alerts. The sensor, which is inserted under the skin in the upper arm by a physician via a brief in-office procedure, lasts up to three months, thereby eliminating the need for patients to self-administer the weekly or biweekly sensor insertions required by traditional CGM systems.
The system's smart transmitter is light, discreet, and comfortable to wear. Interpreting glucose data from the sensor and sending it to the system's mobile application via Bluetooth, the smart transmitter provides on-body vibratory alerts for discretion and added safety, and is the only CGM transmitter that can be removed and recharged without discarding the sensor.
The physicians at Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, PA are experts in CGM technology and routinely use these systems in the management of their patients with diabetes. The practice is one of several across the country that will have early access to the Eversense CGM System. For more information or to contact us for an appointment, please visit our website (www.pbdes.com) or call us at 561-513-5100.