Patent analysis of digital sensors for continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract

The high need for optimal diabetes management among an ever-increasing number of patients dictates the development and implementation of new digital sensors for continuous glucose monitoring. The purpose of this work is to systematize the global patenting trends of digital sensors for continuous glucose monitoring and analyze their effectiveness in controlling the treatment of diabetes patients of different ages and risk groups. The Lens database was used to build the patent landscape of sensors for continuous glucose monitoring. Retrospective analysis showed that the patenting of sensors for continuous glucose monitoring had positive trend over the analyzed period (2000–2022). Leading development companies are Dexcom Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Medtronic Minimed Inc., Roche Diabetes Care Inc., Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc., Roche Diabetes Care Gmbh, and Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings Ag, among others. Since 2006, a new approach has emerged where digital sensors are used for continuous glucose monitoring, and smartphones act as receivers for the data. Additionally, telemedicine communication is employed to facilitate this process. This opens up new opportunities for assessing the glycemic profile (glycemic curve information, quantitative assessment of the duration and amplitude of glucose fluctuations, and so on), which may contribute to improved diabetes management. A number of digital sensors for minimally invasive glucose monitoring are patented, have received FDA approval, and have been on the market for over 10 years. Their effectiveness in the clinic has been proven, and advantages and disadvantages have been clarified. Digital sensors offer a non-invasive option for monitoring blood glucose levels, providing an alternative to traditional invasive methods. This is particularly useful for patients with diabetes who require frequent monitoring, including before and after meals, during and after exercise, and in other scenarios where glucose levels can fluctuate. However, non-invasive glucose measurements can also benefit patients without diabetes, such as those following a dietary treatment plan, pregnant women, and individuals during fasting periods like Ramadan. The availability of non-invasive monitoring is especially valuable for patients in high-risk groups and across different age ranges. New world trends have been identified in the patenting of digital sensors for non-invasive glucose monitoring in interstitial skin fluid, saliva, sweat, tear fluid, and exhaled air. A number of non-invasive devices have received the CE mark approval, which confirms that the items meet European health, safety, and environmental protection standards (TensorTip Combo-Glucometer, Cnoga Medical Ltd.; SugarBEAT, Nemaura Medical; GlucoTrack, GlucoTrack Inc.), but are not FDA-approved yet. The above-mentioned sensors have characteristics that make them popular in the treatment of diabetes: they do not require implantation, do not cause an organism reaction to a foreign body, and are convenient to use. In the EU, in order to increase clinical safety and the level of transparency about medical devices, manufacturers must obtain certificates in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/745, taking into account the transition period. The development of systems, which include digital sensors for continuous glucose monitoring, mobile applications, and web platforms for professional analysis of glycemic control and implementation of unified glycemic assessment principles in mobile healthcare, represent promising approaches for controlling glycaemia in patients.

Diabetes and Ramadan Fasting (2023): The Year in Review

“…Furthermore, Litvinova et al attempted to systematize the global patenting trends of digital sensors for CGM and analyze their effectiveness in controlling the treatment of patients with diabetes of different ages and risk groups. 36 The LENS database was used to build the patent landscape of sensors for CGM. A retrospective analysis showed that the patenting of sensors for CGM had a positive trend over the analyzed period (2000–2022).…”

Development of sensor system and data analytic framework for non-invasive blood glucose prediction

“…Another drawback is the accuracy, where the Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) was 18.1%, 91.1% of data points fell in zone A, and 7.8% in zone B of the Clarke error grid (CEG) analysis 20 . Similarly, the glucometer by Helo Extense World Global Network takes into account external factors such as temperature variability, and the effect of pressure and sweat to measure blood glucose and has not been approved by the FDA 21 , 22 . Likewise, the glucometer by Wizmi, WEAR2B Ltd is under clinical trial, where a study obtained 93% in zone A and 7% in zone B in CEG 22 , 23 .…”

“…Similarly, the glucometer by Helo Extense World Global Network takes into account external factors such as temperature variability, and the effect of pressure and sweat to measure blood glucose and has not been approved by the FDA 21 , 22 . Likewise, the glucometer by Wizmi, WEAR2B Ltd is under clinical trial, where a study obtained 93% in zone A and 7% in zone B in CEG 22 , 23 . A discussion of commercial devices in areas other than optical methods is presented in I2, Supplementary Material 1.…”

Diabetes Technology in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes—Distribution and Effects on Glycemic Regulation and Perinatal Outcomes

“…Maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk for several adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth, congenital malformations, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, a low APGAR score and large-for-gestational-age babies [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Despite the fact that modern technology for blood glucose monitoring and insulin management is becoming a more central part of treating diabetes, the frequencies of adverse pregnancy outcomes remain significantly higher in babies born of women with diabetes and the rate of babies being born large for gestational age is increasing [7][8][9]. In addition, the overall incidence of pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes is increasing significantly, making this a relevant concern for today's healthcare professionals [3,10,11].…”