MiniMed Seeks Approval for Glucose Sensor

MiniMed Inc. has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of a glucose sensor that is inserted into the skin, an easier way of testing diabetes patients.

Physicians must now draw blood from a patient several times a day to track glucose levels using traditional glucose meters and test strips.

MiniMed’s new system has a sensor that is inserted in the abdominal area and worn by patients for three days. The sensor takes measurements every 10 seconds, information that can be transferred to a computer for analysis.

The company hopes to win government approval for its new process in 1998.

MiniMed, based in Sylmar, is a leading designer and manufacturer of various systems used in the treatment of diabetes.