Innovative CGM Device Spans Diabetes Care Continuum

A new continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system provides mobile support for diabetics, including those under insulin injection therapy.

The Guardian Connect mobile CGM system consists of a small wearable device that takes subcutaneous glucose readings every five minutes (288 times a day) and sends the results directly to a smartphone app that allows the users, including people on insulin injections, to check current glucose levels, as well as receive alerts on high and low glucose levels. The Guardian Connect also provides a customizable SMS text alert that enables care partners to receive high and low glucose alerts on any connected mobile device.

The system also features the option to automatically upload the data daily into the Medtronic CareLink therapy management software, which reduces the burden of manual data upload for both people on insulin injection therapy and their healthcare providers. The smartphone app will initially be available with iOS devices, with an Android version scheduled for release at a later date. The Guardian Connect mobile CGM system is a product of Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland), and has received the European Community CE mark of approval.

“Having continuous, real-time access to glucose values and being alerted to important trends and events is key for people with diabetes. With our new Guardian Connect system, we've continued to innovate so we can deliver these insights for people with diabetes on insulin injection therapy,” said Annette Brüls, president of Diabetes Service and Solutions at Medtronic. “Guardian Connect is also compatible with our CareLink diabetes therapy management platform and arms healthcare providers, their patients, and care partners with actionable data to help improve day-to-day diabetes management and make long-term therapy adjustments.”

CGM systems provide continuous, real-time trend information, maximizing the patient's time in the optimal glucose target range. The CGM sensor, which measures glucose levels from the fluid under the skin, is attached to a transmitter that sends the readings to a wearable monitor, insulin pump, or connected device. Alerts and alarms can be customized to notify patients up to 30 minutes before they reach personal preset low or high sensor glucose limits.

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