Continuous Glucose Monitoring, or CGM, is the process of automatically measuring the amount of sugar (glucose) in your body every few minutes with a sensor that is placed under your skin. The continuous readings allow the system to use the data to predict the direction your glucose level is heading and will display that information as an arrow. With the actual value of your glucose, plus the arrow, you can see more about what is happening with your glucose.
CGM systems available today measure glucose in the interstitial fluid – the fluid between your cells just under the skin. Since CGM is measuring glucose in a different part of your body, it will not be the same concentration as in your blood, but very similar. A blood glucose meter requires that you take a small sample of blood from your fingertip and place it on a test strip that’s inserted inside a meter. The meter provides a glucose value based on the amount of glucose in the blood sample at that moment.
CGM automatically and continuously provides glucose values every few minutes, using a sensor inserted just below your skin. The glucose level taken from your blood can be different from the glucose level in the fluid below your skin. With ordinary CGM and FGM systems, you must insert a new sensor through the skin every 7-14 days. With the NpMedcare CGM System, a single sensor lasts for months.
One significant benefit of CGM is that it provides a “moving” picture of how your glucose levels change over time without samples from fingersticks. This can make it easier to see how diet, exercise and other health factors affect your glucose levels. CGM also provides alerts to let you know if your glucose levels are changing rapidly or approaching unsafe levels. Published research studies show using CGM regularly can reduce A1c without increasing hypoglycemia*.
Flash Glucose Monitoring, or FGM, uses a body-worn sensor that requires insertions of a new sensor every 10-14 days. FGM provides a glucose value on demand by using a proprietary reader device. The reader is held over the sensor to wirelessly obtain a glucose value. The NpMedcare CGM System uses a small sensor that is inserted completely under the skin, and does not have to be changed for up to 3 months. A smart transmitter wirelessly powers the sensor, automatically collects the glucose data every 5 minutes and sends it to the NpMedcare Mobile App on your smartphone. The continuous readings allow the system to use the data to predict the direction your glucose level is heading and will automatically alert you of high and low glucose events.
The NpMedcare CGM System uses fluorescence technology to measure glucose with a tiny sensor implanted completely under the skin. This long-term CGM technology allows for up to 3 months of CGM readings with a single sensor. A smart transmitter is worn over the sensor using a gentle adhesive that is changed daily. The smart transmitter can be removed and replaced without ending the sensor session. The smart transmitter wirelessly powers the sensor, collects the glucose data and sends it to the NpMedcare Mobile App.