A continuous glucose monitor, also called CGMs, reveals short-term trends in the blood sugar as they happen. You can see the direction your blood sugar is taking in the last 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, or 24 hours, depending on what times the monitor offers. Various companies have already released continuous monitors, with more companies developing theirs every day. Significant differences in accuracy can be seen in one individual when two different continuous glucose monitors are worn at the same time.
| Companies | Guardian REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System |
Dexcom SEVEN Plus | MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time System | Abbott FreeStyle Navigator® |
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| Availability | FDA approved in June 2006 (monitor) and February 2007 (MiniLink Transmitter) and available for purchase | STS system FDA approved in March, 2006. Upgraded since and available for purchase | FDA approved in March of 2006 and available by prescription for purchase in the U.S. | FDA approved in March of 2008 and available by prescription for purchase in the U.S. in the 2nd Quarter |
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| Price | $1339 for monitor, transmitter, charger, and 4 sensors $35 per sensor |
$1248 for receiver, case, charger, transmitter $399 per 4 sensors |
$999 in addition to initial pump cost, $35 per 3 day sensor | |
| Weight | 2.8 oz | 2.9 oz | 4 oz | |
| Screen Size | approx 1.8" x 0.75" | 1.875" x 1.5" | 522/722 screen | |
| Monitor Size (L x W) |
3" x 2" | 3" x 2.5" | No Monitor, displays on pump | 3" x 2.5" |
| Transmitter/ Sensor Size (LxWxH) |
1.64" x 1.4" x 0.37" | 1" x 0.75" | 2" x 1.5" / 0.75" diameter | 2" x 1" (combined) |
| Sensor Life | 3 days | 7 days | 3 days | 5 days |
| Sensor Canula size |
14 mm | 13 mm | 14 mm | 5 mm |
| Angle of Sensor Insertion |
45º | 45º | 45º | 90º |
| Insertion Device |
Sens-serter, manual insertion possible | DexCom SEVEN Applicator | Sens-serter, manual insertion possible | Automatic, comes with sensor |
| Start-Up Initialization Time |
2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 10 hours |
| Calibration | 2 hours after insertion, within next 6 hours after first, then every 12 hours. Will alarm if calibration value not entered. | every 12 hours with OneTouch Ultra | 2 hours after insertion, within next 6 hours after first, then every 12 hours. Will alarm if calibration value not entered. | Calibrate at 10, 12, 24 and 72 hours after insertion, no calibration for the final 2 days of the 5 day wear |
| User set alarms on low/high |
Yes, 8 different thresholds users can set for different times throughout day and night, different sounds for each alarms, loud backup alarm | Yes, one high, two low (user set limit + 55mg/dl alarm) | Yes, differents sounds for each alarm, loud back up alarm | Yes |
| Predictive alarms for low/high |
Yes, can be set to warn 5-30 minutes before glucose limit has been reached | 0 | 10, 20, 30 minutes | 10, 20 or 30 minutes |
| Alarms for rate of change |
Yes, can be set to warn at rates of change from 1.1 mg/dL per minute to 5 mg/dL per minute | one each for high and low (either 2 or 3 mg/dl per minute) | ||
| Displays glucose numbers |
Every 5 minutes | Every 5 minutes | Every 5 minutes | Every 1-2 minutes |
| Displays Directional Trends |
Yes, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hour graphs | Yes, displays a 1, 3, 6, or 12 hour glucose graph | Yes, 3 and 24 hour graphs | 5 TRU™ Directional Glucose Arrows indicating rate and direction of change |
| Displays Rate of Change |
Yes | Yes, arrows indicate steady, slow/medium/fast rise or fall | Yes | |
| Review glucose data? |
Yes, last 24 hours | Yes, last 24 hours | Yes, last 24 hours | Yes, last 24 hours |
| Capture events |
Yes, user can enter insulin, carbs, BGs, and exercise events | Yes, user can enter insulin, carbs, BGs, exercise, and health events | ||
| Alarms, vibrates, or both |
Vibrate, escalating alarm, or both | Alarm or Vibrate, vibrate for low first, then alarm | Vibrate, escalating alarm, or both | Alarm or vibrate |
| Waterprooof Transmitter |
Yes, hot water not suggested | Yes, up to 3 ft for 30 min | Yes, hot water not suggested | Yes, up to 3 ft for 30 min |
| Transmitter Batteries |
Rechargeable, 14 days or more use per change, 1 year expected life, additional transmitter and charger $649 | life uknown, non-replaceable, additional transmitter $250 | 9 months, additional transmitter $500 | watch battery, replace monthly |
| Monitor Batteries |
1 AAA | rechargable, every 5 days for 3 hours | 1 AAA | 2 AAA Alkaline Batteries |
| Range | 6 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 10 feet |
| Snooze Alarm |
Yes, High snooze can be set from 5 min to 3 hrs, Low snooze between 5 minutes and 1 hour | Yes | Yes, both high and low alarms settings differ | Yes, 1 hour silence |
| BG Monitor | Any | Any | Any | Built in Freestyle Monitor |
| Computer Software |
Medtronic CareLink Personal | DexCom DM Data Manager 3 | Medtronic CareLink Online | Precision Link Diabetes Data Management Software |
| Upgrade program |
Yes, call 1-800-Minimed for info | Yes, $150 upgrade price | Medtronic Pathway Program | |
| Warranty | 1 year on monitor, 6 months on transmitter | 12 months for receiver and transmitter | 6 months on transmitter, 4 years on pump | |
| Money-back gaurantee |
30 day, not for sensors | 30 day, not for sensors | 30 day, not for sensors |
Get Pumping Insulin for complete pump information --- it is the most helpful book available on pump use with continuous monitors.
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