DexCom, Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes continuous glucose monitoring systems

Blood glucose monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring is a way of testing the concentration of glucose in the blood . Particularly important in the care of diabetes mellitus, a blood glucose test is performed by piercing the skin to draw blood, then applying the blood to a chemically active disposable 'test-strip'...

 for diabetes management. It operates internationally with headquarters in California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

History

DexCom's roots stem from 1967 research on implanted glucose sensors at the University of Wisconsin, and started with a focus on creating an implantable sensor that the body would not reject and that would perform for a long period of time. With over 40 patents, Dexcom’s Sensor technology is based on this research.

Dexcom's history includes multiple generations of sensor technology coupled with partner development agreements. In 2006, Dexcom received U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...

 (FDA) approval and launched the Dexcom STS Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. This was a three day sensor that provided up to 288 glucose measurements every 24 hours. Dexcom received approval of the second generation product, the Seven Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in May, 2007. This device improved on accuracy as well as extending usage from three to seven days of continuous wear. In 2008, Dexcom announced two consumer development agreements with Insulet Corporation and Animas Corporation

Animas Corporation

Animas Corporation is an American company that specializes in making insulin pumps, used by people with diabetes. The company was founded by Dr. Katherine Crothall in 1996, had its initial public offering in May 2004 under the ticker symbol 'PUMP', and was ultimately acquired by Johnson & Johnson...

 as well as a development agreement with Edwards Lifescinces for a continuous glucose monitor in the intensive care unit

Intensive Care Unit

thumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...

 hospital environment. During February 2009, Dexcom received approval for the SEVEN PLUS Continuous Glucose Monitor, the third generation Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system from the FDA. This product received a CE mark

CE mark

CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area . With the CE marking on a product the manufacturer ensures that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives...

 in November 2009.

Dexcom Seven Plus Continuous Glucose Monitor

The Dexcom Seven Plus is DexCom's third generation continuous glucose monitor. It can show a new glucose reading every 5 minutes for up to seven days of uninterrupted wear-time to show where glucose levels are, where they have been and where they are going. The system is made up of three technologies: the sensor, transmitter, and receiver. The sensor is a flexible round wire that goes just under the skin to read glucose levels, and attaches to the skin with an adhesive patch. The transmitter snaps into the sensor; it wirelessly sends glucose information to the Receiver every 5 minutes. The receiver displays glucose levels and trends. It is about the size and weight of a cell phone.

The system features include:

• According to a self-study by the manufacturer: excellent accuracy, especially in the "hypo-zone" and during rapid rates of glucose change However, one peer reviewed study on the Dexcom STS showed that out of 168 hypoglycemic alarms, only 14 were actually in the hypoglycemic range. Out of 30 real hypoglycemic events, the Dexcom STS detected half.
• 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour period trend graphs on the receiver
• Trend arrows to show where glucose is heading
• Alerts & alarms to notify the user when glucose goes either above or below a user defined level
• Water-resistant sensor & transmitter pod (The receiver is not water-resistant)
• Rechargeable

While the receiver holds up to 30 days of data, the Dexcom Data Manager 3 (DM3) software allows data downloads from the Dexcom CGM systems to a computer

Computer

A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...

. This provides users the ability to track their trends and progress over time. DM3 works with all versions of SEVEN Receivers. With the SEVEN PLUS, meal, insulin

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....

, health, and activity information entered can be reviewed later with the DM3 software. A1c values can also be entered in the software for tracking and viewing improvements.