At the forefront of the future of diabetes care, we’re no stranger to challenges.
Delivering breakthrough diabetes solutions like around the clock, up-to-the-minute continuous glucose monitoring (GCM) with our FreeStyle Libre technology isn’t where our job ends. Our commitment to breaking down barriers in diabetes care may be an endless pursuit, but it's a critical one.
We chatted with Jean-Pierre Cole, a Research Fellow who has helped develop our FreeStyle Libre system from the ground up, to discuss some of the major challenges we face in developing next-generation diabetes technology, and how we're working to solve them.
1. Can we make it smaller still?
At the size of two stacked U.S. quarters, our FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor manages to pack in some of the biggest features for people living with diabetes. Still, our long-held goal of making our FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor as inconspicuous as it is mighty is pushing us to make the next generation even smaller. The challenge? According to Cole, "the mechanical aspect, it's all incredibly challenging." And even more difficult with only millimeters of space to work with.
2. Can we make it simpler?
Our FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor comes in two pieces that the user has to put together. To make our FreeStyle Libre systems easier to use, we're exploring different ways to get everything into one piece so there'd be no assembly required in the future.
3. What's the best way to keep it sterile?
Speaking of sterilization, our FreeStyle Libre 14 day and 2 systems had conventional sterile barrier systems, which prevents any contamination. "There's different ways of sterilizing," Cole said. "We have to maintain the stability of the sensor. Some sterilization methods have effects to marginalize the performance, so we end up staying away from those approaches." To maintain optimal sterilization while making our system easier to use, we're rising to the challenge.
4. Can we make it easier to connect?
Making Bluetooth technology work against the human body, which is in itself a big absorber of radio waves, is tricky. We've explored different methods of connecting the sensor on the back of your upper arm to our FreeStyle Libre 2 iOS and Google Play apps, including near-field communications (NFC) technology. The challenge is, as Cole put it, "with NFC, you have to get it in a very close proximity for it to communicate." As for Bluetooth, "you can be a distance away," Cole explained. We're driven to do better, which entails discovering innovative methods of connectivity that allow for the best performance and convenience for users.
5. Can we go longer than 14 days?
Our FreeStyle Libre technology's ability to provide quality performance for 14 days is no small feat, keeping costs lower and being friendlier to the environment. But we're always looking to the future to expand that 14-day longevity. According to Cole, "the big challenge is how long the sensor can last on the arm," because the skin's outer layer can completely turn over in a matter of weeks depending on age. Working to make FreeStyle Libre technology more durable is at the front of our minds, and we're not stopping here.
We know that what makes Abbott, Abbott is our desire to never stop progressing, making the world's1 leading glucose monitoring system better and better. We see the impact of our innovations in the everyday lives of those across the world navigating diabetes, and it's inspiring us to explore solutions to give the global diabetes community the best possible care.
Trust assured; we're rising to the challenge.
References
1 Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre portfolio compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 SYSTEM
Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 2 system as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or https://www.FreeStyle.abbott/us-en/safety-information.html for safety info.
FreeStyle Libre 14 day system: Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 14 day system as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.
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