DexCom, headquartered in San Diego, California, is focused on developing technology for continuous glucose monitoring to improve the lives of people with diabetes. Their DexCom STS system was approved by the FDA on March 27, 2006. Since then, Dexcom has upgraded their system to the new Dexcom G4 Platinum.
The Dexcom G4 Platinum ships with:
- The G4 Platinum Transmitter - discreet, wireless transmission up to 20 feet, gentle adhesive
- The G4 Platinum Receiver - 4" x 1.8" x 0.5", color screen, new shape, stores 30 days of data, data is downloadable to a computer
- USB charging cable and charger
- receiver carry case/belt clip
- Dexcom Studio Software
- User's Guide
- Tutorial Disc
The sensors have a tiny flexible wire sensor that goes under the skin. The sensor fits inside a 26 gauge needle within an easy to use, disposable applicator. The design of the applicator allows nearly painless insertion of the needle in which the applicator also withdraws, leaving the wire sensor under the skin. Sensors are sold separately, in packs of 4, from the monitor. The design of the applicator allows nearly painless insertion of the needle which the applicator also withdraws, leaving the wire sensor under the skin. The G4 platinum sensors and receivers do not work with the Dexcom Seven versions.
Additional features:
- Trends are now shown in hues of yellow, red, and white, you'll be able to quickly distinguish between highs, lows, or good readings
- Custom tones and melodies now available for high or low alerts
- receivers now come in Classic Black, Tickled Pink and Ocean Blue
Dexcom is working with various insulin pump companies to eliminate their receiver by moving the display into the pumps. For pump wearers, this eliminates the readout device but still requires two skin sites, one for the glucose sensor and another for insulin delivery.
Dexcom Studio
Dexcom Studio is the new software for viewing and analyzing the readings gathered from your Dexcom receiver. Hook your receiver to your computer via USB. Dexcom Studio will launch and pull off all the new readings. The receiver can hold up to 30 days of sensor data. Once it is full, the oldest records will be deleted to make room for new readings. You should plan to upload your data every 2-3 weeks. This will allow for all the sensor glucose readings to be included in the charts/reports, and will keep these data records from being lost. Dexcom Studio is not currently compatible with Windows 8.
Dexcom Studio features include:
- Dexcom Portrait Report -Summary statistics of overall glucose control with clinical assessment notes.
- Hourly stats - All-in-one report to easily assess glycemic patterns and variability at the same time.
- Daily trends - Overlapping days to assess glycemic patterns.
- Glucose Distribution - Shows percent time high, low and in target glucose ranges and overall glucose distribution. Assess pre- and post-prandial control by comparing pie chart distribution.
- Glucose Trends - Report to review daily glucose trends, event markers and correlation between SMBG and CGM. Daily Strip Print feature prints daily glucose trends with a touch of a button.
- Daily Stats - Review percent time spent high, low and in target glucose ranges by day.
- Success Reports - Compares glycemic control weekly, monthly or quarterly.
For upgrade information, you can call Dexcom at 1-888-738-3646