FBL0024 TECHNICAL ENGLISH

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION:

CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR

NAME : NURFAKHRIAH FIRDAUS BT AZMI

ID : 19000454

COURSE : FOUNDATION IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)

 CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR

Table of content :

1.0 Introduction………………………………………………3
2.0 Description of Innovation
2.1 Physical features………………………………….4-5
2.2 Functions…………………………………………5-6
2.3 Specialities………………………………………..6
3.0 Analysis of the innovation
3.1 Personal opinions…………………………………7
3.2 Justifications………………………………………7
3.3 Recommendations…………………………………7-8
4.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………8

ARTICLE: Diabetes Care in Malaysia:

Problems, New Models,and Solutions ………………………..9

REFERENCES………………………………………………….10

CERTIFICATES OF ORIGINALITY…………………………..11

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Question 1

1.0 Introduction

Investment in medical technology innovation has enabled significant advances in patient. An

understanding of dimensions and measures of innovation is critical in fully assessing the
implications of many policy initiatives under debate. Some people do not find out they have
the diabetes disease until they have diabetes-related health problems. The history of glucose
meters starts in 1956 with Leland Clark presenting a paper on an oxygen electrode, later to be
a renamed after him. Six years later the Clark electrode had been developed, with the help of
Ann Lyons, into the first glucose enzyme electrode. These early glucose meters were, bulky
and only used in hospitals. It was not until 1981 that at home monitors were popularized, sold
on the market by the same names you would recognize today which are Glucometer and Accu-
chek. But in June 2018, Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) fully approved Continuous
Glucose Monitor (CGM) system for use in people 18 years of age and above with diabetes.
United States regulators have approved the first continuous blood sugar monitor for diabetes
that does not need backup finger prick tests. While the old models require users to test a drop
of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust the monitor. The invention of CGM is due to high
blood sugars generate the vast majority of long-term complications for patients, but extreme
hypoglycaemia is the most dangerous short-term condition for people with 1 type diabetes. The
fact that even as injection, infusion and monitoring technology improved, people continued to
suffer and even die. A pilot study found that giving a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to
people pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes can motivate them to motivate them to exercise more.
CGM are non-invasive way of measuring blood glucose levels. Diabetes affects over 425
million people worldwide. It still need to stab themselves multiple times a day to check their
blood glucose levels. There has to be a better way, right? By using CGM, it effects on the
community so far by prevent many people from feels the pain and uncomfortable of the finger-
pricking. In addition, CGM also a great alternative that could make the lives of millions of
people with diabetes easier which can result in less frequent testing and consequently a poorer
control of blood sugar. Diabetes still

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2.0 Description of Innovation
2.1 – Physical Features

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

There three types of CGM that well known to patient. The first one is Freestyle Libre, then
Dexcom G6 and last is Eversense. The function of these three system is same except the
places to wear is different. Both Freestyle Libre and Eversense only wear on arm but for
Dexcom G6 can wear on arm and belly. Also, the start time for insertion for these three
system are different. CGM was designed with patient in mind. By providing alternative to
routine finger sticks, it offers breakthrough in routine glucose testing. This system uses small
sensor worn on the back of the upper arm or belly to automatically measure and continuously
store glucose reading for days and nights up to 14 days. A quick scan of the sensor provides
a current glucose reading, as well as the previous. 8 hours of glucose data, including an
indicator telling the user whether their glucose level has been rising or falling.

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 CGM data receiver and display CGM data sensor and transmitter

Whether you are showering, working, exercising, or sleeping CGM are always on and record
glucose levels. There are special features that work with information from the user glucose
readings such as an alarm can sound when your glucose level goes too low or too high.
Besides that, patient can note their meals, physical activity and medicines in a CGM device
alongside their glucose levels. In addition, patient can download data to a computer or smart
device to more easily see your glucose trends. Some models can send information right away
to a second person’s smartphone perhaps a parent, partner or caregiver.Now, one of CGM
model is approved for treatment decisions, the Dexcom G5 Mobile. That means patient can
make changes to their diabetes care plan based on CGM results alone.The size of the CGM
monitor is super convenient and easy to patient carry everywhere they go.

2.2 – Functions

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are devices that provide continuous real-time readings
and data about trends in glucose levels. This allows patient to understand their glucose level
and whether it is rising or falling, and to intervene by eating food or taking insulin. CGM
systems track glucose levels throughout the day. CGM users insert a tiny sensor wire under
their skin using an automatic applicator. An adhesive patch holds the CGM sensor housing
in place so the sensor can measure glucose readings in interstitial fluid throughout the day
and night. A small, reusable transmitter connects to the sensor wire and sends real time
readings wirelessly to a receiver, so the user can view the information. With some system
such as Everseen, CGM data receiver can be display on Apple product or Android product.

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The CGM receiver or compatible smart device can also be set to send custom alerts to the
user when certain glucose thresholds are reached. For the sensor, it will be sensing and
sending patient blood glucose levels every 5 minutes to patient devices 24 hours per day.
This means that at any given time during the day or night, patients can look at their device
and see how their blood glucose level is trending. The patients can also see how quickly
their blood sugar level is changing, if it is dropping very fast, they would see two down
arrows, if it is rising very fast, they would see two up arrows. Every company also has alerts
the patients will set up in their device as to when they want to be notified of a high blood
sugar and a low blood sugar.

2.3 – Specialities

Benefits of using CGM can manifest in increasing user’s awareness on their blood sugar
levels since the CGM data receiver will be displayed on the device’s screen. CGM has been
used retrospectively and in real time with the latter having the advantage of responding
quickly to unwanted changes in glucose levels. For example patients are able to monitor and
keep track of their wellbeing by noticing even a slight reduction or increment of numbers
on the device. Thus, by interpreting CGM data, patients are encouraged to keep a healthy
living and do exercises. The most cited benefit of continually using these systems is that
they allow the patients to worry less about diabetes. The uniqueness of this device is the size
of this device is convenient and easy to use especially to elderly people. This device also
can increase confidence about children’s safety, particularly children who cannot express
any symptoms. Especially when the parents away from their children, they still can monitor
their children’s blood glucose and it increase their confidence and also improve their sleep.

3.0 Question 2

3.1 – Personal Opinions

In my opinion, when someone struggle with diabetes, it is normal and desirable for them to ask
a lot of question. For me, continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a protection to the patients. It
is a protective layer of information and an early warning system. Thus, it is one of awareness

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that can help patient learn how certain foods can spiked blood sugar and about how diabetes
actually works. Furthermore, I think CGM is one of the best way to increase the motivation of
the patients to take care of their health and it is the best way to learn about blood sugar. In
addition, I feel the innovation of CGM makes things more easier and convenient. The patients
could keep an eye on CGM anytime they want to and they will feel more freedom to keep
tracks of their sugar intake.

3.2 – Justifications

According to user statement in Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor said they have fewer
worries but due to CGM they feel freedom and control when using it. Also in this article, it
clearly says that the sensor’s device connect to a transmitter which wirelessly transmit reading
to a receiver or a compatible smart device. At any time, patients can see their reading with just
a glance. No need to interrupt what they are doing. Thus, according to admin in article
Diabetes.co.uk said that many people especially teenagers have been involved in diabetes
awareness by signing up petition and campaign. I think CGM is one of the best way to create
awareness among adult and older people. Most user found CGM an empowering tool because
they could access blood glucose data effortlessly, and trend arrows enabled them to see whether
blood glucose was rising or dropping and at what speed. This predicative information aided
short-term lifestyle planning. Also, having easy access to blood glucose data on continuous
basis also allowed participants to develop a better understanding of how insulin, activity and
food impacted on blood glucose. As result, this understanding was described as motivating
individual to make dietary changes and break cycles of over-treating diseases. Some
individuals expressed ambivalent views, feels and expecting to live healthier when using CGM.

3.3 – Recommendations

Although CGM has been introduced in Malaysia market in 2005, there many Malaysian are
not aware of the device’s existence as well as benefits. Therefore, some recommendations
towards enhancing this innovation. First alternatives is by promoting and instil awareness
to people on social media platform via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Thus, awareness
campaign can be done in several ways for example ads on social media. The ads will show
a free trial kit form for the people who interested. Besides, we can hire a few influencer

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social media to try out and give the review on CGM. Furthermore, we can give an awareness
talk to government and private sector about CGM’s history and benefits. By doing this, the
parties can help in spreading the awareness of diabetes. Even though, CGM device’s price
are quite high, this will be the opportunities for other company to come out with their own
CGM. Higher demands will lead to higher supply. People can choose which price they want
to buy.

4.0 - Conclusions

As conclusion, continuous glucose monitor (CGM) possess tremendous benefits to it users

such as provide continuous real-time readings and data about trends in glucose levels, allows
patient to understand their glucose level and whether it is rising or falling, and to intervene
by eating food or taking insulin, can manifest in increasing user’s awareness on their blood
sugar, patients are able to monitor and keep track of their wellbeing by noticing even a slight
reduction or increment of numbers on the device and more. Nevertheless, continuous effort
to improve awareness on the benefit is imperative as Malaysians are still in the dark about
the existence of CGM.

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ARTICLE:

Diabetes Care in Malaysia: Problems, New Models,

and Solutions

1-s2.0-S22149996150
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REFERENCES

Needle-Free Diabetes Care: 8 Devices that Painlessly Measure, Labiotech.eu, 14 January

2020, https://www.labiotech.eu/diabetes/needle-free-glucose-monitoring-for-diabetes-
medtech/
Innovation In Medical Technology: Reading The Indicators, Health Affairs,
https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.13.3.226
FDA approves first blood sugar monitor without finger pricks, STAT, 31 May 2018,
https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/28/fda-approves-blood-sugar-monitor-without-finger-
pricks/

Fingerprick Blood Sugar Tests: How They Work and Why We Still Use Them, Office for
Science and Society, 14 June 2019, https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-
technology/fingerprick-blood-sugar-tests-how-they-work-and-why-we-still-use-them

How Can We Realize the Clinical Benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring?, Diabetes
technology & therapeutics, May 2017,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5444484/
Benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), Dexcom, 11 January 2019,
https://www.dexcom.com/faq/what-are-benefits-continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgm
Patients' and caregivers' experiences of using continuous glucose monitoring to support
diabetes self-management: qualitative study, BMC Endocrine Disorders, 1 January 1970
https://bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12902-018-0239-1

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