RESUMO
Complex operation, prolonged set-up time, reliability problems, high cost, and excessive size limits the use of currently available extracorporeal continuous blood glucose analyzers. A self-calibrating, wearable blood glucose monitor has been developed to overcome these impediments. The wearable blood glucose monitor is a 410 g forearm-mounted instrument with three miniature pumps for blood sampling, calibration, and insulin infusion, and a flow cell containing an enzyme-electrode sensor capable of determining plasma glucose levels accurately and precisely in undiluted whole blood. The unit is connected to a computer controller with graphics display. Venous blood is drawn from a 21 gauge single lumen cannula through the sensor flow cell. A rate determination of glucose is completed in 20 sec and the blood is returned to the arm vein. Heparinized saline wash solution follows. No blood loss or significant systemic heparinization occurs. Cycle time is set from 2 to 5 min. The method is linear to at least 300 mg/dl glucose, independent of hematocrit, and free of interferences from blood constituents at normal venous pO2 with a coefficient of variation of 1-3% between calibrations. The sensor has a service life of at least 3 weeks. This wearable blood glucose monitor, with its high performance sensor, reduced size, and ease of operation, shows promise for evaluating and treating diabetes.
