High tech diabetes care
The 1980s saw the launch of the first blood glucose monitors for at-home use. This revolutionized diabetes care, making self-monitoring a standard practice.
Advancements continued, with high-tech products like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Use of insulin pen needles has grown as well, with devices becoming easier and more comfortable to use.
CGMs are wearable devices that have become the gold standard. They allow patients to monitor and control insulin and blood sugar 24/7. They can be smartphone-connected, allowing test results to be sent to medical providers and alarms that warn patients of unsafe blood sugar levels. The North American CGM market is valued at $6.2 billion, according to MarketsAndMarkets.com. It is expected to hit $14.8 billion by 2028.
The North American market for insulin pens was estimated at $11.99 billion for 2024, with pens often replacing syringes as the delivery vehicle of choice, Mordor Intelligence said. Pen needles continue to see advances, with products becoming shorter, thinner and more comfortable to use. By 2029, the market is expected to reach $14.87 billion. Patch pumps are also becoming more refined, with newer products eliminating tubing and holding more insulin.
“In the past five to 10 years, we’ve become more efficient at medication delivery,” said Drew Massey, director of pharmacy operations at Fruth Pharmacy in West Virginia. “Technology wise, we’re able to monitor and diagnose quicker, allowing people to be more compliant, with more doctors writing prescriptions for CGMs.”
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Dr. Henry Anhalt, chief medical officer at Embecta, said new developments are happening more rapidly than ever. “We’re in a wondrous time and we’re seeing all these advances coming faster and faster,” Anhalt said. “Technology has evolved beyond delivering insulin to incorporate decision support tools. Devices have connectivity, allowing data to be sent through the cloud or via Bluetooth.”
Blood glucose monitoring
One of the newest monitoring products is Intuity Medical’s POGO Automatic Blood Glucose Monitoring system. The compact device consists of a cartridge housed inside a hand-held monitor. When users place their finger on the device, it takes a blood sample and automatically provides a reading in one simple step. Massey believes it is one of the most innovative products to come on the market. “You don’t need lancets or alcohol, so you don’t have to carry all that stuff around,” he said.
POGO is a step up from traditional blood glucose monitors, which Dave Yamauchi, VP of marketing at Intuity, describes as “cumbersome.” He added, “People must manage three components per kit [meter, lancing device and test strip] and perform more than 15 steps to get a result. The patient must insert a tiny test strip into the meter, prepare the lancing device, prick their finger, squeeze the blood onto the test strip and safely dispose of used, blood-contaminated components.”
Though CGMs are beneficial, Yamauchi believes traditional CGMs require people to insert a sensor under the skin and attach an electronic device to their body for several weeks.
Devices use adhesive, which doesn’t always stick or can cause skin irritation. POGO, however, automates the testing process. Intuity recently partnered with online pharmacy HealthHavenRx, making it easier for people to access POGO Automatic and use their insurance online, said Yamauchi. The product is covered by Medicare Part B.
Both Yamauchi and Massey believe POGO should particularly benefit older patients, who often have dexterity challenges.
Insulin delivery
Insulin delivery has moved way beyond traditional syringes, with many patients embracing insulin pens, tubed or patch insulin pumps. Embecta has submitted a 510(k) filing to the Food and Drug Administration for a patch pump, a disposable tubeless insulin delivery system that adheres to the skin and provides continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.
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This device, currently in front of the FDA, has a reservoir that holds 300 units of insulin. “It’s an important differentiator for those requiring higher doses of insulin, such as people with Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Anhalt. The company is also developing a closed-loop version of its patch pump, which will use an algorithm.
Recent years have also seen an uptick in pen needle improvements, including smartphone connectivity and introduction of smaller, thinner needles.
A smart insulin pen has a app that can help better manage insulin delivery by calculating and tracking doses and providing helpful reminders, alerts and reports. Since pens are less painful to use, compliance is generally high, said Massey. He also believes people are more likely to use a smartphone app than they are to write down and record details.
Pen needles are also becoming smaller. At HTL-Strefa, Chris Woeste, vice president of sales, North America, described the company’s Droplet Micron as “the world’s shortest pen needle.”
The 34-gauge needle is 3.5 mm long. “It provides a painless or nearly completely painless injection,” he added. “People feel they will be more compliant with their treatment regimen as a result. Droplet Micron has done well in clinical trials.” Owen Mumford offers a 4-mm, 32-gauge pen needle. Owen Mumford’s Unifine Pentips incorporate three beveled needle tips to reduce penetration force while thin wall technology improves drug flow for a low delivery force. And silicone provides a lower glide force for a gentle injection experience, reducing friction between needle and skin. This affords smoother entry and removal of the needle.
Wound care
Diabetic wound care has also seen innovations. “Advances in technology have vastly improved the lifestyles of people living with diabetes,” said Geolyn Gonzalez, chief sales and marketing officer at Total Resources International. “Standard wound care has evolved so much over the years, from traditional to now.”
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Total Resources’ Silvex Nano Silver Wound Gel contains 24 ppm of patented Nano Silver technology. It creates a barrier for skin protection that lasts up to three days. It can be used on minor cuts as well as for more severe injuries like diabetic ulcers and post-operative wounds.
“Diabetic foot ulcers are complex wounds that do not heal immediately and need advanced materials and techniques,” said Gonzalez. Products are offered under the Tender Lovin’ and Be Smart Get Prepared labels.
For people with diabetes, smart devices do not solve every problem, particularly the emotional ones that arise for people living with a serious, chronic disease. But ongoing technological innovations should continue to make their lives less arduous and help them achieve better outcomes.
