Dexcom, a US-based company that specialises in manufacturing glucose monitoring devices, unveiled a new continuous glucose monitor called Stelo on Monday, August 26. The device is the first of its kind as it can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. Stelo comes in the form of a coin-sized biosensor that is worn on the upper arm. Like most continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), the Stelo biosensor pokes through the skin in order to measure glucose levels in real time. This data is wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone app that alerts wearers of the device when they experience a spike in their glucose levels. It can also be customised to notify doctors or family members in the event of emergencies. Stelo has been primarily designed for use by patients with prediabetes or those with Type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin. It is currently available for purchase in the US where a one-month supply of the biosensors costs over $99 (Rs 8,300 approx.). Dexcom said that Stelo could also be available on Amazon soon. “The idea is to help people, over time, learn about diet choices and habits, and how those are impacting glucose [.] It’s about uncovering things you haven’t seen before and then using that to create healthier habits,” Jake Leach, chief operating officer at Dexcom, was quoted as saying by CNBC. How it works In order to set up the device, users need to affix the small biosensor on their upper arm and choose whether they are prediabetic or have Type 2 diabetes on the app downloaded on their smartphone. Based on the choice, the app establishes a specific “Target Range” for every user’s glucose levels in accordance with existing medical standards set by the American Diabetes Association. Users can see the latest reading of their glucose levels on the homepage of the Stelo app. These readings are reportedly updated every 15 minutes. It also displays a graph of the daily glucose readings and a summary of the time during which the user’s glucose levels were within the target range. When users experience a substantial spike, the Stelo app sends a notification in order to draw their attention to what is causing the larger swings in the user’s glucose levels. The “Events” tab on the Stelo app can also be used to track meals, activities, etc. In March this year, Stelo became the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor to be cleared for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
