Glucose predictor

An EU consortium is currently reviewing initial results from a clinical trial of diabetic patients who used a new blood glucose predictor technology.

The technology, which was developed through the EU-funded DIAdvisor project, encompasses hardware, software and sensors from Toumaz Technology, based in Abingdon.

DIAdvisor aims to develop a prediction-based tool that uses past and easily available information to optimise the therapy of type I and type II diabetes.

The technology will allow patients to actively and accurately predict their short-term blood glucose outlook at any time by analysing data retrieved from glucose measurements, insulin delivery data and specific patient parameters.

The key data, captured by non-intrusive body-worn wireless monitors including those based on Toumaz’s Sensium technology, will be used to create physiological mathematical modelling, control and prediction algorithms.

The resulting analysis and prediction information will be wirelessly transmitted to a healthcare provider advisory service, with recommended action and treatment advice presented to the patient through a hand-held mobile device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

A large-scale data-acquisition clinical trial involving 90 patients across three sites in France, Italy and the Czech Republic began in August 2008.

The DIAdvisor consortium recently held its second General Assembly (GA2) to review progress of the project. The GA2 meeting was hosted by consortium members Toumaz Technology at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London.

‘The development of the DIAdvisor personal blood glucose predictor and treatment advisor has the potential to revolutionise the therapy of millions of diabetes sufferers in Europe and worldwide, minimising the occurrence of diabetic complications and reducing healthcare costs,’ said Alison Burdett, director of technology for Toumaz.

‘The research and development carried out by all partners during the first year of the DIAdvisor programme brings this worthwhile goal one step closer.’

Christofer Toumazou, the chairman of investing company Toumaz Holidings, said there is an increasing need for technology like the one being developed through DIAdvisor.

‘Our increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits have led to the incidence of diabetes approaching epidemic proportions,’ he added.

‘Our Sensium technology is proving core in the deployment of a commercial solution to produce a successful personal continuous predictable monitor that will help transform the lives of diabetes sufferers.’