The End of Finger Pricks? Abbott’s New FreeStyle Libre System Approved for Sale in Europe

Abbott has received CE Mark for its its revolutionary system, the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, which uses a new glucose sensing technology. The system eliminates the need for routine finger pricks, reading glucose levels through a sensor that can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days. In addition, no finger prick calibration is needed–a key differentiator from current continuous glucose monitoring systems. 

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre System consists of a small, round sensor–approximately the size of a two Euro coin–worn on the back of the upper arm, which measures glucose every minute in interstitial fluid through a small (5mm long, 0.4mm wide) filament that is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad. A reader is scanned over the sensor to get a glucose result painlessly in less than one second. Scanning can take place while the sensor is under clothing, making testing more discreet and convenient. Each scan displays a real-time glucose result, a historical trend and the direction the glucose is heading. The reader holds up to 90 days of data, providing a historical snapshot of glucose levels over time. The FreeStyle Libre System software enables the data to be presented in a user-friendly, visual chart for both healthcare professionals and patients, driving a more productive discussion around treatment and any necessary modification.

Key features of Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre System include:

• The system requires no finger prick calibration
• Disposable, water-resistant sensor can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days
• Glucose readings can be taken as many times per day as needed or desired, with a painless one second scan
• Each scan provides a current glucose reading, 8-hour history and the direction glucose is heading
• The data generated by the system is designed to provide actionable trends and patterns that may help people determine how to modify food and other behaviors to better manage their diabetes in consultation with their healthcare professionals

 

The FreeStyle Libre System will be available in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom in the coming weeks and will be available for purchase online through a website in each market.