Page 18 - EE Times Europe March 2022

18 EE|Times EUROPE

Abbott Prepares for a Telehealth Future

Talking more broadly about the development of ever more precise The FreeStyle Libre 3
and personalized medicine, Saxon said, “Implantable wearable technol- system helps Type 1
ogy combined with the right software, meaning the right experience, diabetes patients
allows for more data to be continuously collected. We can learn those discreetly check their
deeper, more personalized insights into the transition from health to glucose levels day and
disease. Our research is focused on using connected technologies to night without having
provide life care.” to fingerstick.

MONITORING GLUCOSE “The FreeStyle Libre technology gives consumers more data and
Diabetes is a serious global health issue. The latest figures from more insights conveniently and in a way that’s easily understood,” said
the International Diabetes Federation show that 463 million people Ford. “Checking your glucose is as easy as checking the weather.”
worldwide — one out of every 11 adults — are living with the disease, Abbott received the CE mark for its FreeStyle Libre 3 system in 2020.
and this number is predicted to rise to 578 million by 2030 and to
700 million by 2045. TRACKING BIOMARKERS
To say that Ford saved the best for last, nothing is sure yet. Abbott is
currently developing a new category of consumer biowearables that
FreeStyle Libre 3 will collect a broader range of biological data to help users optimize
glucose sensor their exercise and nutrition routine and improve their general health.
“What if we could decode the messages our body is trying to send us as
a way to maintain and improve health?” Abbott asked. Dubbed Lingo,
the suite of biosensors aims to help users monitor biomarkers such as
glucose, ketones, lactate, and alcohol levels. Like FreeStyle Libre, it is
worn on the back of the upper arm for 14 days, and a tiny, probe-like
filament penetrates the skin and collects data. Lingo is wirelessly con-
nected to the user’s smartphone.
More specifically, Ford said the Lingo ketone sensor is being
designed to provide insights on dieting, weight loss, and real-time
feedback. The lactic sensor will be designed to measure the buildup of
lactic acid during exercise. It can be used as an indicator for athletic
performance but also, even more importantly, for recovery. The glucose
sensor tracks glucose levels and helps understand how they affect
energy levels. Finally, the Lingo alcohol sensor is going to “help you
make some better decisions.”
Abbott has developed the FreeStyle Libre 3 system to help Type 1 “Monitoring these biomarkers for the first time will offer unprec-
diabetes patients discreetly check their glucose levels day and night edented understanding of human metabolism that can improve
via a glucose sensor about the size of two stacked U.S. pennies without decisions around general health, nutrition, and even athletic perfor-
having to fingerstick. Worn on the back of their upper arm, the bio- mance,” said Ford. “Your body is constantly talking to you, and now, it’s
wearable sensor measures every minute interstitial fluid glucose via a time to listen.”
thin and flexible filament placed about 5 mm under the skin. Reports Abbott’s Lingo biowearables are not intended for medical use, but
are then sent to the dedicated smartphone app. they will need to go through the appropriate regulatory process. ■

The Lingo suite of biosensors
aims to help users monitor
biomarkers such as glucose,
ketones, lactate, and alcohol
levels.

MARCH 2022 | www.eetimes.eu