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Features of a Glucose Meter

Glucose meters are devices used in medicine to monitor a patient’s blood glucose levels. This measurement is crucial for patients diagnosed with diabetes or hypoglycemia. Glucose meters are used on a regular basis at home and in physician offices.

Most models of glucose meters require a 0.3 to 1.0 microliter sample of blood from the patient. This is taken with a lancet that pricks the skin to obtain a sample of blood. From this sample, a reading will be obtained. Some glucose meters have built-in lancet delivery systems that take the sample and read the patient’s blood glucose levels all at once in a single machine. A disposable test strip is inserted into the meter. The test strip is imbued with glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase to react with the blood sample and quantitate the amount of glucose in the patient’s sample. Glucose oxidase catalyzes the oxidation reaction of glucose to gluconolacetone, which is reoxidized by other reactive agents to generate an electrical current that is read by the glucose meter. The electrical current level is then correlated to a blood glucose level and displayed in mg/dl or mmol/L on the glucose meter’s display screen.

The unit of measurement for blood glucose can be switched to different standards of measurement depending on the preferred measurement from the physician. Some models of glucose meters utilize a disc of test strips that performs periodic readings before glucose meter needs to be removed. The testing time varies from model to model ranging from three seconds to one minute. Some models of glucose meters have internal clocks that provide programmable alarm systems that will remind the patient to test their blood glucose levels.

Glucose meters may also have various data handling capabilities providing an easily accessible record of daily blood glucose levels for patients. The device may have the capability to record multiple measurements taken, recognize abnormally high levels of blood glucose, calculate a daily average of blood glucose levels, and input any other pieces of information that may be relevant to the patient’s medical records. This data may include insulin dosage, amount of exercise for the day, or the amount of carbohydrates consumed by the patient.

Glucose meters have also been combined with other devices to allow for ease of use by the patient. Insulin pumps and insulin injection devices are commonly combined with glucose meters to facilitate appropriate insulin dosage for measured blood glucose levels. Glucose meters used by hospitals and clinics may also be synced to the facilities electronic medical records or laboratory reporting service facilitating comprehensive and thorough monitoring of the patient’s health. Glucose meters can also come in a variety of customizable colors and patterns that can be tailored for the patient’s tastes. Some patients dislike the fact that they need to constantly prick their fingertips in order to obtain a sample of blood to test. Manufacturers are currently in the process of developing glucose meters that are able to monitor a patient’s blood glucose levels non-invasively by using techniques such as ultrasound, infrared lighting, and electrical currents.