Manufacturer takes bloodshed out of diabetes test: non-invasive monitoring device uses light to check glucose.Manufacturer takes bloodshed blood·shed n. The shedding of blood, especially the injury or killing of people. bloodshed Noun slaughter; killing Noun 1. out of diabetes test Thanks to Pasadena-based Health Craft International Inc., diabetics may soon be able to measure the amount of glucose in their blood without sticking themselves with a needle - important for those diabetics who are encourage to monitor glucose several times a day. Diabetics lack insulin in their bloodstream blood·stream n. The flow of blood through the circulatory system of an organism. bloodstream the blood flowing through the circulatory system in the living body. , and thus cannot break down or metabolize me·tab·o·lize v. 1. To subject to metabolism. 2. To produce by metabolism. 3. To undergo change by metabolism. metabolize to subject to or be transformed by metabolism. glucose. Diabetics must measure the level of glucose in their blood several times daily and then inject in·ject v. 1. To introduce a substance, such as a drug or vaccine, into a body part. 2. To treat by means of injection. themselves with the proper amount of insulin. Health Craft is test-manufacturing a "non-invasive" monitoring device that measures glucose by passing light through the finger. (Most people have seen light pass through their fingers when they press their hand against a flashlight). The new device has a hole in it, into which diabetics and others insert their finger. As the light passes through the finger, it bounces off glucose molecules in a identifiable way. The Health Craft device measures the amount of glucose revealed by the light. Presently, diabetes sufferers pin-prick their fingers and place blood on a strip, akin to a litmus test litmus test n. A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper. . The strip changes color, indicating high or low levels of glucose. The new device - the size of a pocket-pager and battery-powered - was codesigned by Metadigm Inc., a Berkeley, Calif.-based medical outfit, and will be manufactured and marketed by Health Craft. The new device will retail for about $1,500 to $1,800 says Health Craft Vice President MaryAnn MacGillivray, and will be ready by 1993. "The key to the new device is that you don't have to prick your finger four to six times a day," says MacGillivray. "Many diabetics only prick themselves one or two times a day because of the inconvenience." Health Craft is not alone in its bid to produce a non-invasive monitor. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Dr. Richard Kahn of the Washington, D.C.-based American Diabetes Associations The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of , there are a "boatload boat·load n. The number of passengers or the amount of cargo that a boat can hold. Noun 1. boatload - the amount of cargo that can be held by a boat or ship or a freight car; "he imported wine by the boatload" " of companies, large and small, competing to get non-invasive monitoring devices onto the market. Health Craft's MacGillivray says she knows there are competitors out there, but her five-year-old company is out in front. "We try to stay as up to date as possible with what is going on out there, and we think we are ahead of the pack." There are about 12 million American diabetics. About 3 million Americans - those who use insulin - must prick their fingers four to eight times a day to test glucose levels, which allows the diabetics to adjust their insulin doses. PHOTO : Test: Light replaces blood |
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