Pendragon
Medical presents first non-invasive “sensorwristwatch” to
monitor and predict glucose levels
Paris. August 25, 2003 – Swiss medical technology company Pendragon
Medical Ltd. presented its device Pendra® at the IDF conference.
Pendra® continuously monitors the blood glucose level without the
need for a blood sample. It also contains alarm functions to predict
critical Hypoglycemia levels. Having been approved by the appropriate
European regulatory body in May 2003 as a Type II b Medical Device,
Pendra® will be launched in early 2004 in the first five European
markets.
Pendra® is worn like a wristwatch and measures the glucose concentration
of blood non-invasively (without a blood sample) and continuously as
long as the device is worn. The data stored in the device can also be
transferred to a computer thereby allowing a doctor to carry out more
detailed analysis.
Based on impedance spectroscopy
Pendra® is based on “impedance spectroscopy” technology.
It is known that glucose changes in blood are accompanied by significant
conductivity changes. These changes have a considerable effect on the
electric polarization of cell membranes. Pendra® generates an electromagnetic
field in a selected frequency range, which interacts with the body and
detects changes in the electromagnetic properties over time. This has
been realized with an open resonant circuit. The applied sensor, specifically
designed for this purpose, interacts with the skin and underlying tissue.
Pendragon Medical Ltd. is the first company to apply impedance spectroscopy
to follow glucose concentrations in real-time.
Launch in five European markets in early 2004
The sensor is intended, in a first phase, as a supplement to the traditional
testing methods. For
diabetics this will be a welcome improvement since today, they have
to measure their glucose level several times per day via unpleasant
blood sampling, in order to determine the correct insulin dosage as
well as to monitor their blood sugar level in general. Stephan Rietiker
is convinced, „that Pendra® will contribute to a sustainable
improvement in the care of diabetics, in that this device will not only
enable the continuous monitoring of blood sugar changes but also is
the first device which is able to provide a timely warning to patients
regarding an increased risk of a hypoglycaemic event.” Germany,
Netherlands, Greece, Austria and Switzerland will be the first markets
where Pendra® will be launched in early 2004.
For further information:
Sacha Wigdorovits
Tel. +41 1 209 60 00
Fax +41 1 209 60 10
Mail info@contractmedia.ch
Pendragon Medical Ltd. is a Swiss company founded in 2000 with offices
in Zurich. Pendragon
specializes in the development of patents and other intellectual property
in the medical technologyand diagnostic areas, as well as in research,
production, marketing and distribution in these areas.
For more info and trial results:
http://www.pendragonmedical.com/trials.html
