Abbott Introduces FreeStyle Libre for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Abbott Laboratories has secured regulatory approval for the FreeStyle Libre system, a device designed to monitor glucose levels without requiring routine fingerstick blood tests.
Abbott Laboratories has brought the FreeStyle Libre system to market as a diagnostic tool for glucose management. The device uses a sensor applied to the back of the upper arm to provide real-time readings, historical trends, and directional arrows indicating glucose movement, replacing the need for traditional daily fingerstick calibrations.
The device is intended to help patients track glucose patterns over a 90-day period. By providing frequent data points, the system allows users to identify periods of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, which can inform adjustments to daily diet and insulin therapy.
Research published in The Lancet indicates that patients utilizing the FreeStyle Libre technology spent 38 percent less time in hypoglycemia compared to those using standard blood glucose monitoring systems. The device is approved for use by adults aged 18 and older and remains a prescription-only medical product.