Low power functionality and medical software enablement are essential in glucometer design, it has been claimed.

A glucometer, as well as the right medical treatment, is "fundamental" for a diabetic patient to stay healthy at home, according to Cuauhtemoc Medina Rimoldi, global product launch marketer for Freescale.

His comments echo those of Dr Paul Donohue, who suggests in the Detroit News that diabetics should have their own glucometer.

Writing in ElectronicsWeekly.com, Mr Rimoldi argued that these devices are becoming more important as diabetes increases globally.

Currently affecting around 155 million people around the world, diabetes mellitus is expected to impact 300 million people by 2015, according to World Health Organisation figures.

Mr Rimoldi explained that the first step to measuring glucose in the blood is to use special sensor strips for amperometry.

"The sensor uses a platinum and silver electrode to form part of an electric circuit where hydrogen peroxide is electrolysed," he wrote.

A current that flows through the hydrogen peroxide can then be measured to assess the concentration of glucose.

"The sensor used as a blood glucose meter is based on a glucose oxide electrode. The glucose oxides are immobilised in a platinised activated carbon electrode," he added.

He concluded by saying: "Key characteristics like low power functionality and medical software enablement are very important for glucometer design."

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Analysis: Blood glucose meter design (10/05/11)

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