Glucoband wristwatch continuously monitors your glucose levels

Calisto Medical has wrapped up a successful clinical trial of the Glucoband glucose monitor, a wristwatch device that uses proprietary technology to non-invasively measure blood glucose levels in the body. It uses a bio-electromagnetic resonance technique to continuously monitor glucose levels after an initial measurement, with the results viewable on an integrated LCD screen in the watch. So, if your phone or Gameboy doesn't already do this for you, you can strap on the Glucoband for all your ubiquitous glucose monitoring needs.

[Frangible @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Probably a smart thing considering the rise of diabetes in the US!

Now, they just need a companion model to treat type 2 diabetes that locks on to your wrist and shocks the hell out of you if you don't exercise.

[jim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I am 27 years old and have had type 1 diabetes since I was 13, I really hope that this isn't vaporware. I really hope that this comes to market, believe it or not testing your blood sugar actually hurts more than insulin injections. This sounds so promising, I just hope it comes out.

[Yorrike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

25 here. Type 1 since I was 3 and I have to agree, blood testing is the most painful part.

When I first heard about this, I thought it was my dream device; just strap it on and it'll let you know. I'm still a bit suspicious about the "inital reading" bit (how often do you have to recalibrate it, or recharge it? Does the initial test mean an old school blood test?), but everything else sounds perfect.

It even looks good, as it'd fit nicely next to an iPod. All it needs now is to have 1GB of flash memory for playing MP3s/storing files and WiFi/blootooth functionality, and I think I'd be in convergence heaven. I wonder if I could scheme my way into getting two and using one for hacking stuff onto?

Actually, just the watch on it's own would be fine. I can;t wait until this gets released.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

NICE! I too hope this is all it's advertised as. I am 27 and have had Type 1 diabetes since I was 9. I've been dreaming of a device like this. I can't wait. I do between 8 - 12 blood tests per day and this would save my poor fingers.

[SwissNeurologist @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Be extremely careful with this device. There have been attempts to pull the same trick in the past, and the results were utterly unreliable. The Swiss company responsible for that has gone bust in the meantime. Mind you: with a bad episode of hypoglycemia you may be putting your brain cells at great risk. Conversely, undetected or underestimated chronic hyperglycemia is going to damage your retina, your arteries, your peripheral nerves, and your kidneys.

[chris franklin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Went through a total of two of the non-invasive Glucose-testing devices for diabetics called "Glucowatches" (original and a supposedly upgraded version) in 2002 and 2003. I found their performance to be utterly and dangerously unreliable; what was even more alarming was that these devices had been approved by the U.S. FDA!

The California company that made the Glucowatch went under in the last two years and I am sure that whatever patents that they had been issued for the technology were purchased by another entity; perhaps this new device is the result of a combination of those patents and a more extensive testing and trial period with a new manufacturer.

Anyway, med companies, do this for Diabetics:
painful or not, we have decent testing and insulin administration gear; so if you are going to do something new, make sure it's well-financed and as consistent and reliable as an old army Jeep. Thanks.

[tpp @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Reliability notwithstanding, anyone have any idea on a price point? Obviously some of it would be covered by health insurance, but still.

[jb @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I would consider this durable medical equipment like an insulin pump. The last 3 insurance companies I've had cover pump supplies 100% & the first of those 3 bought my pump 100%. I would think this would be the same.
I've worn the minimed continuous monitor that you stick in you & tape down for three days. It was interesting to see how much the sugars move in one day. I only test 4-6 times a day so seeing a number every 5 minutes was great.
I read the glucowatch gave the patients rashes & had to be exactly on right to work. For a watch that doesn't sound promising. Hopefully these guys have worked all that out.
I think I'll wait for the closed loop minimed is working on though. A pump & a meter talking to eachother, even if invasive, would be perfect.

[Paul Chaney @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I'm glad you mentioned the device here. I meant to let you know about it as I thought it would be a good post for you.

Are you diabetic? If so, how about throwing some posts my way on TDB.

[ERV @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Hi, can you said me the price of this glucoband please

[Harry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

If this was released in australia, it would probably be covered under Medicare and would be made free (or at least heavily subsidised) to diabetes sufferers. So price for the consumer wouldn't really be an issue.

Pity the US system is so drained and underfunded. Subsidising a great product like this would probably lower the eventual strain on the health system.

[stephen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

yes, please get this watch out ASAP! Imagine a great invention that would help so many diabetics, people who fight to stay alive, enduring pain everyday just to survive.While paying over 50 cents a blood test.This Gadget would SOLVE all that.The real problem is that drug companies are making SO much $$ with test strips and lancets that this will kill their pocket book. They are greedy PIGS. I would hate to be the one responsible for squashing this(congressmen, drug companies) before getting it on the market. To be responsible for NOT keeping millions on diabetics in good health. They are sick greedy people who can't stand for something right. How do they sleep at night by holding this great invention back? If you did not know..this has been going on since the eary 90's...these watches are sitting in storage waiting to be released!! But these fat,greedy money hungary hords are holding this back!! As always ... the man with the biggest pocket books wins!! Just like that..real simple. All for the love of money. Well either way they die. I am a firm believer that they will pay for it in this world or the next. Could we be so fortunate to get this? Could we get a CEO of a major pharmacutical who is a diabetic to realize this achievement? Or does it take several Congressmen with type I diabetes to help pass this through? What kind of civilization is this? All or Nothing?

Just like back in the early 70's the 100 mpg carburetor was invented. Where is it,on a shelf? Look at the classifieds? I bet you can buy any SUV or Truck you want. Why? You mean you want to pay 80.00 usd to fill up you suburban? NO!! Oil companies threw out the 100 mpg carburetor, not car manufacturers!! Oil companies have more money...guess what?? They WIN!!! They would not make as much money, right? Sad, sorry people running this country and making decisions. It's the pits.

[Ilene Petty @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

9-12-05

I would love to have this watch it could save my life. I had RNY Gastric bypass surgery 10-03-02 thinking this would put my daibetes into check. 18 months out I have a very rare problem that happens to one in one million patients that have diabetes after this surgery. I am happy I have lost 140 lbs but the problem is I go high blood sugar and then I go very low within two hours. Even if I eat just a 1/2 sandwhich . The other night in bed after I went to sleep my blood sugar crushed to 32
severe hypoglycemia. I have a team of specialists ( Endocrinology )
working with me now down at South San Francisco (Kaiser ).
If I was wearing this watch at least I could go to sleep at night and feel safe. My husband has sleep apena and wears a breathing machine so he doesn't know when I go slow blood sugar. This watch could save my life and give me peace of mind. For some reason the RNY gastric surgery has caused my diabetes to get worse. My sugars go high
like 280 then my pancreas makes too much insulin and I drop dangerous low. I am below 60 1/2 the month. I now take quick acting insulin shots to try and prevent it from going to high. My Endocrinology
Dr Jaffe is trying to help me and says I am a experiment at this point.
My case is very rare could your company help me at this point to be an experiment with your watch ? I am willing to try anything once I eat the rollar coaaster ride begins. The watch would make me feel safer. My lows have happened so many times now my body has got used to them and at 32 all I feel is just passing out. The ambulance has already taken me out of the house . Please help!!!!!!
1-707-693-6630 I would love to be part of your experiment group.
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. What is the differance between your watch (glucoband ) and the glucowatch ?
sincerely Ilene Petty
PS What is the cost ? Is thier a possible I can be in your study ?

[Kathy Thun @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

AT LAST!!! They should call this the "Independence" watch. My mother is a type I with hypoglycemic unawareness. She is "brittle" and has always attempted tight control. Unfortunately, her BS readings are still mostly unpredictable. She cannot be left alone for any amount of time. The Glucowatch has not worked well for her and malfunctions with skin perspiration. The ALARM function of this is most important. I would be most interested in knowing how many other diabetics have this problem, and until now, have felt generally ignored. This isn't about the pain of testing (we're used to that). This is about independence . . at last!

[Jayne Cathcart @ Dec 30th 2005 9:58AM]

I am 46 years old and have type 1 diabetes for 43 years. I have prayed for years for a device like this. I tried the Glucowatch from Cygnus and found it didn't work for me and also the sensors were expensive (my Insurance doesn't cover diabetes) Please please let this watch do what it says it does and be available for all diabetics as soon as possible.If it was any way affordable I would buy it if it give me independence.