MINIMED PUSHING GLUCOSE SENSOR.Byline: Ben Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer Sylmar-based MiniMed Inc. said Wednesday that it has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of a continuous blood-sugar sensor. If approved, the sensor would be used in a family of devices to help diabetics and physicians monitor patients' blood glucose levels blood glucose level, n level of glu-cose in the bloodstream, normally about 70 to 115 mg/dL after fasting overnight. Higher levels may indicate diseases such as diabetes mellitus. . The worldwide market for blood glucose blood glucose Diabetology The principal sugar produced by the body from food–especially carbohydrates, but also from proteins and fats; glucose is the body's major source of energy, is transported to cells via the circulation and used by cells in the presence tests is approximately $3 billion annually. Diabetics currently keep tabs on tab 1 n. 1. A projection, flap, or short strip attached to an object to facilitate opening, handling, or identification. 2. A small, usually decorative flap or tongue on a garment. 3. their glucose levels with meters that require the user to prick their finger and draw a drop of blood. With the MiniMed device, a catheter catheter /cath·e·ter/ (kath´e-ter) 1. a tubular, flexible surgical instrument that is inserted into a cavity of the body to withdraw or introduce fluid. 2. urethral c. would be inserted below the patient's skin and kept in place for one or more days. MiniMed also markets insulin-infusion pumps that diabetics wear to keep a steady supply of insulin insulin, hormone secreted by the β cells of the islets of Langerhans, specific groups of cells in the pancreas. Insufficiency of insulin in the body results in diabetes. Insulin was one of the first products to be manufactured using genetic engineering. available to their blood. MiniMed President Terrance Gregg said in a prepared statement that once approved, the new sensors will both generate revenues on their own and boost sales of the insulin-infusion pumps. MiniMed shares closed down $2.25 to $36.75. |
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