How the Medtronic CGM System Tracks Glucose in Real Time?

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 38.4 million Americans are suffering from diabetes. In most of these cases, the healthcare provider prefers to get real-time data on the patient’s blood glucose levels so that the efficacy of the prescribed therapeutic regimen, as well as the lifestyle modifications, can be estimated. In this regard, the use of Medtronic CGM systems solves the problem.

In this article, we will go through how the Medtronic CGM systems can track your blood glucose in real time. In addition, some of the well-known continuous glucose monitor brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.

What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

A continuous glucose monitor or CGM, as the name suggests, is a medical tool used for tracking the blood glucose levels in a continuous manner. These devices contain a sensor that is inserted under the skin, where it analyzes sugar levels. This recorded data is then sent to a receiver or a smartphone, where it is displayed. As the process is repeated every 5 minutes, real-time blood glucose monitoring becomes possible.

What Does “Real-Time BGL Monitoring” Mean?

The term real-time blood glucose monitoring is often associated with most CGM systems in terms of their ability to ensure it. However, it is important to understand what it even means. The real-time BGL monitoring refers to a continuous and automatic tracking of a person’s blood glucose level over a period of 24 hours.

This ensures that the patient’s blood glucose levels are being checked every few minutes and the device is displaying the data accordingly. Unlike finger-prick tests, which are not only painful but can only provide BGL readings 3 to 4 times a day after conducting a test every time, continuous glucose monitors give frequent data that shows how the patient is responding to the medications or dietary and lifestyle changes recommended by the healthcare provider.

Medtronic CGM Systems: An Introduction

Among numerous continuous glucose sensors, the Medtronic CGM systems are often talked about owing to their flexibility, ease of usage, as well as effective BGL measurement. These are small-sized, flexible sensors that, when inserted under the skin, continuously estimate a person’s blood glucose levels through their interstitial fluid.

As the device keeps on working throughout the day and night, it can provide a full spectrum of variations in the blood sugar levels so that the healthcare provider can examine how the patient is responding to the treatment or lifestyle modifications.

Components of a Medtronic CGM System

A Medtronic CGM system comes with three components, each of which has a distinct role in the estimation of blood glucose level. The following section covers them in detail:

BGL Sensor

The sensor is the main blood glucose measuring component of the Medtronic CGM systems that is inserted under the skin. The product comes with a disposable inserter or an applicator that holds and inserts the sensor in its place.

Transmitter

A transmitter is a component of the Medtronic CGM system that connects the sensor to the display device. It wirelessly sends the estimated BGL data to the receiver that shows the results in the form of readings, graphs, and trends.

Receiver or Mobile App

A receiver is a display system that shows the BGL data received from the sensor. It can be a separate receiver or the patient’s smartphone that has the relevant mobile app.

How Does the Medtronic CGM System Work?

The Medtronic CGM systems come with a compact sensor that is to be placed under the skin using a disposable inserter or applicator, often on the abdomen or the arms. Being flexible, it neither restricts movement nor causes discomfort to the patient. This way, the sensor gets access to the patient’s interstitial fluid, which is the fluid present around our cells.

As this interstitial fluid comes from our blood, it contains glucose that is estimated by the sensor. This real-time BGL data is then wirelessly transmitted by the sensor to the mobile apps or a separate receiver, where it is displayed in the form of readings, trends, and graphs. In addition, the receiver also gives alerts to the users regarding the fluctuations in their blood glucose levels.

Benefits of Using a Medtronic CGM System

When it comes to the benefits of using the Medtronic CGM system, there are many. As the device gives the patient as well as the healthcare provider a clearer picture of the blood glucose levels in real-time, it becomes possible to adjust the dosage regimen. Some of the benefits achieved by the Medtronic CGM systems are as follows:

• Real-time BGL monitoring ensures improved control over the sugar level, especially among patients dealing with type 1 diabetes.
• The real-time BGL estimation also provides a chance of designing a personalized diabetes management plan.
• With regular blood sugar level estimation, the risk of hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar level) is significantly reduced among diabetic patients.
• The real-time BGL estimation with the help of Medtronic CGM systems also allows the patients and the healthcare providers to take immediate actions in order to alter the rising or falling sugar levels.
• As the system takes frequent BGL readings, it becomes possible to visualize them in the form of graphs and trends. This way, the healthcare provider can identify the patterns.
• Consistent monitoring of the BGL, followed by taking the necessary steps to achieve a target sugar level range, leads to a reduced risk of long-term complications, like neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular problems.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Continuous glucose monitors allow the real-time estimation of the patient’s blood glucose levels. These devices are easy to insert, operate, and replace after the recommended time period. Medtronic CGM systems are a solution to the painful finger-prick test, as these do not cause discomfort to the patients.

However, when it comes to learning about the Medtronic CGM systems, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known continuous glucose monitors are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:

Medtronic Guardian Sensor 4 For 780G BX/5

Product Details

Medtronic Guardian sensor 4 is one of the widely employed continuous glucose monitoring or CGM systems available in the US market. As the product has been tested and approved for use among adults as well as children above the age of seven, it has wide applications among the diabetic community owing to its versatility. The system is an innovative sensor that monitors the real-time BGL value within no time.

Moreover, the Medtronic Guardian sensors also provide a precise adjustment of the rapid-acting insulin so that the highs and lows in the BGL can be managed. In addition, the system also ensures a precise monitoring of the glucose levels so that a detailed pattern of fluctuations can be built.

Furthermore, these Medtronic Guardian sensors come with an extended wear time that can last for up to seven days, resulting in consistent and reliable blood glucose monitoring. The automatic correction feature adjusts the highs for under-estimated carb counts as well as for the occasionally missed meal dose.

As for the data display, the device can be connected to a receiver as well as a smartphone device that has the relevant sensor app. These Medtronic Guardian sensors are prescription-only devices and are sold with all the related parts in a packaged box to ensure their safety and prevention from contamination.

MiniMed Guardian Sensor 3 CGM (5 pack)

Product Details

The Guardian Sensor 3 is engineered for accuracy and comfort. Medtronic boasts its highest accuracy to date with this sensor, demonstrated by a MARD (Mean Absolute Relative Difference) rating of 8.7% when used in conjunction with the CONTOUR® NEXT LINK 2.4 Meter.

• Small and Comfortable: The sensor features an enhanced, smaller size and a flexible design, allowing it to move easily with the body for ultimate comfort during wear.

• Easy Insertion: It is designed for easy insertion right under the skin to continuously measure interstitial glucose values.

• Real-time Tracking: The system monitors and relays real-time glucose levels and trends to a connected diabetic pump or receiver, allowing users to know at all times where their glucose is trending.

Versatility and Wear Time

The sensor is approved for a wear time of up to seven days, providing consistent and reliable glucose monitoring throughout the week. It was the first of its kind in CGM sensors to be FDA approved for use in controlling the dosing of insulin when integrated with a compatible Medtronic insulin pump.

• Integrated Dosing Control: Its approval for dosing control highlights its precision and reliability, making it a foundational element for automated insulin delivery systems.

• Connectivity: The glucose data measured by the sensor is continuously transmitted to your compatible diabetic pump or other receiver device.

Like other advanced CGM products, the MiniMed Guardian Sensor 3 is a prescription-only device and is sold in a packaged box to ensure its sterility and safety.

The products linked in the article, while learning about the Medtronic CGM systems, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of blood glucose monitoring products.

Conclusion

Among diabetic patients, it is important to estimate the blood glucose levels on a regular basis so that a real-time analysis can be done. However, this is not possible to achieve with the help of the conventional finger-prick test, as it is painful and cannot be performed again and again. In this regard, using a Medtronic CGM system is the best choice.

These Medtronic CGM systems come with a sensor that is inserted under the skin. The device reaches the interstitial fluid and checks the sugar level, which is then sent to a receiver or a mobile app via a transmitter. As a BGL value is taken every 5 minutes, real-time estimation of the sugar level becomes possible, that leads to better management of the patient’s condition, resulting in a reduced risk of long-term complications.

Considering their importance, the Medtronic CGM systems are an integral part of blood glucose management and are, therefore, needed within all the relevant healthcare facilities as well as in home settings. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including Medtronic CGM systems, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html

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