Blood Glucose MonitoringIntroductionBlood glucose monitoring has seen many different technologies. From basic needle testing technology to the insulin pumps used today, the technology has seen many disruptive innovations, which together have shaped the market into what it is now. Generally, the major disruptive technologies in the blood glucose monitoring market can be summarized as follows:1. Needle stick detection: This technology involved using a needle to collect blood on a strip. The blood was subsequently analyzed using a glucometer to provide a reading of the blood glucose level. Although the technology was simplistic and fairly accurate, the issues involved lack of compliance due to pain in finger pricking and blood loss.2. Non-invasive glucose monitoring: This technology involved the use of innovative devices such as watches that non-invasively sucked interstitial fluid under the skin and used this fluid in an integrated glucose monitor to provide a blood sugar reading. Although development efforts for this project began in 1991, it wasn't until 2002 that the first noninvasive glucose meter was approved. The advantages of this technology are ease of use and continuous monitoring. However, initial devices struggled with accuracy and were extremely uncomfortable and unreliable for patients.3. Implantable Glucose Monitor with Insulin Pumps: This technology involves implanting the glucose meter into the body and continuously drawing blood from one of the veins to take blood sugar readings. The development of this technology began around the same time as non-invasive glucose monitoring. In recent years, implantable blood glucose meters have been combined with insulin pumps forming a feedback loop to automatically control blood glucose levels in the body. Development of Glucose Monitoring Technologies The needle stick method was one of the first innovations in blood glucose monitoring and remained the gold standard for a while. Since the Ames Company launched Dextrosix in 1965, this invasive method of blood glucose technology has advanced rapidly. Although it took the first glucometer six years to track the Dextrostix blood strip, progress followed quickly. In 1971 there were 2 companies on the market, but by 1987 there were 20 companies on the market working on producing a better blood glucose meter. In 1987, when standard glucose monitoring technologies were reaching a plateau in terms of innovation, an effort began to begin low-cost glucose monitoring. This effort was directed at making glucose meters easily available at home, making it easier for patients to use.