Continuous glucose monitoring: Professional and real time

Continuous glucose monitors are a valuable tool to obtain tight glycemic control in people with diabetes. Since 1999 when the first continuous glucose monitor became commercially available, continuous glucose monitors have continued to evolve, becoming more accurate and user-friendly. Novel uses have also been discovered, including tracking glucose during sleep and finding trends in glucose levels that may lead to diet or exercise changes. While continuous glucose monitors are continually advancing in accuracy and reliability, their 'hassle factor' and invasiveness have investigators seeking alternative routes of glucose measurement. New models of continuous glucose monitors are being pursued including implantable, intraperitoneal, and fluorescence-based glucose sensors, as well as noninvasive models that are used on the surface of the skin. Regardless of system type, the ultimate goal is to find the continuous glucose monitor that is best-suited for use in systems that automate insulin delivery partially (e.g. low glucose suspend) or entirely (e.g. 'fully closed-loop' artificial pancreas).