A noninvasive, continuous and automatic blood glucose-monitoring device, shaped like a wristwatch and which sounds like the next generation product for diabetics, has been developed in South Korea.
The device, named GluCall, has been produced by KMH Co. Ltd., a Korean listed company that specializes in medicine. KMH claims to have spent over $20 million over eight years to develop the device.
“Diabetics and associations doing research and developments in this field have all sought for a method of getting blood sugar level readings constantly and automatically without the need of continuously pricking one’s fingers. It is in this context that the new product assumes importance,” Dae-Ho Kim, CEO of CorEnt Group Inc., who is currently in Kuwait, told Arab News in an online interview.
Diabetics will try almost everything in their power to get healthier and it usually starts with the prick of a finger to get their blood sugar level reading. They will repeat the same at the end of the day hoping their blood sugar level is under control. “Sadly, this procedure just reminds diabetics that they have diabetes,” said Kim, whose South Korean company is authorized to promote, market and oversee the business development of KMH products including GluCall.
Diabetics can live a healthy normal life by managing their blood sugar level. This is not easy because of the food or drinks they continuously consume. It is also difficult for diabetics to prick their fingers every 20 minutes or so to get their blood sugar level reading to understand how their body reacts to the cup of tea or lunch they have just had.
“Until now, there was no product that has passed the clinical testing required by a local government authority to freely sell the product both domestically or internationally. GluCall successfully completed pre-clinical testing and qualified for the final clinical testing as required by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). They have also passed the final round of clinical tests with impressive accuracy to be awarded the “Free Sales Certificate” by the KFDA,” Kim said.
“GluCall is a next generation product that will help ease the mental stress of finger pricking,” he added.
Kim said this is the “world’s first” noninvasive automatic and continuous glucose monitor that does not have any side effects or cause skin irritation. “The new third generation glucose monitoring system has completed all rigid clinical trials at two of Korea’s top hospitals. We are very happy and proud of the impressively accurate readings, which the KFDA recognized, hence certifying GluCall to be freely sold domestically and overseas on July 26, 2008,” he added.
Explaining how the new device works, he said, GluCall is put on the wrist and a calibration is initiated. After 50 minutes, GluCall gives a beeping sound signaling the user to input his or her blood sample for glucose reading, using the conventional pricking method.
This has to be done only once so that the device can calculate its analysis of the user’s skin with the actual blood sugar level readings. GluCall is now ready to give out the blood glucose level reading continuously and automatically every 20 minutes for seven or 13 hours depending on the sensor type patch used. The readings are automatically stored (up to 8,000 readings depending on memory capacity) for the user to link up with a computer to graph and chart them, he said.
“We are exploring the regional market for potential investors willing to establish joint venture partnerships to manufacture GluCall,” he said. “We have high profile individuals and companies interested in financing and distributorships. Our potential customers for GluCall include public and private hospitals and clinics, national health systems, insurance companies and individuals. We also welcome companies that have good social responsibility programs,” he added.
Ajou University Hospital carried out clinical tests by comparing GluCall measurements to actual blood sugar readings. The average reading from GluCall was 144.98 whereas the reading from the venous blood gave an average of 145.80. Readings for GluCall from the Asian Medical Center gave an average of 138.72 to readings from the venous blood, which were said to be 142.43.
“When considering the acceptance range, the figures are well acceptable,” he said, adding that GluCall is safe.
“When diabetics understand the changes taking place in their body daily, they will be able to improve their health by themselves through change in their eating habits and lifestyles.
With a rise in the number of young diabetic patients who will be reluctant to prick their fingers, GluCall will greatly help them with its noninvasive sugar level readings every 20 minutes,” he said.
“Equipped with an alarm for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, GluCall will surely help one monitor and maintain one’s health,” Kim added.