DexCom [diabetes]

What they do… DexCom is focused on pioneering technologies for the continuous monitoring of glucose in people with diabetes. DexCom has developed a short term continuous glucose monitoring system, the DexCom™ STS® System which includes the STS Sensor, the STS Transmitter, and the STS Receiver.
How they do it… A tiny probe-like sensor is inserted by the patient under the skin, and is held in place by an adhesive. Once inserted, the sensor begins continuously monitoring glucose. The transmitter sends the glucose signal from the sensor and wirelessly transmits the data to the hand-held receiver. The receiver processes the glucose signal and with the push of a button, the receiver displays the patient’s current glucose value, as well as 1-hr, 3-hr, and 9-hr trends. The receiver also sounds and alert when a high or low glucose excursion is detected. [Watch video (30 min)]
How it’s different… A continuous glucose monitoring device measures glucose levels throughout 24 hours a day. These devices can provide up to 288 glucose measurements every 24 hours vs. a traditional glucose monitoring test (such as testing via finger-stick) which is just a snapshot in time.
Potential positives… 1. Trends - shows your glucose trend over a period of time… increase or decrease in glucose, as well as how fast it is happening. This trend information together with the glucose value shows you patterns and problems that traditional glucose testing may miss. 2. Alarms - allows you to set a target range for your desired glucose. When your glucose goes above or below this range, an alert automatically lets you know. 3. All day and night - measures glucose levels throughout the day and night. This device provides many more measurements compared with traditional glucose monitoring in a 24 hour period.
Potential negatives… Since the dispensing pouch is worn for up to 3 days, I wonder if the inconvenience of having to wear it (if any) is less then having to inject yourself a few times a day. I don’t know the answer to this question, and it can be only answered by patients who have lived through both experiences.
Additional thoughts... I wonder how long before receiver can be integrated into a cell phone (e.g. clip-on module, Bluetooth connectivity, etc.) so that the patients readings are uploaded in real time and a physician can monitor them, or if there is an alarming trend starting to form, the physician can get a timely alert. Also, the next logical feature would be for the device to "talk" to an insulin pump so that the pump automatically administers insulin based on the readings making it a fully integrated solution.
Investors… Publicly traded at NASDAQ: DXCM
Source:	DexCom web site