GlucoRX, a diabetes supply company with one industry-leading CGM already on the market in Europe, has recently unveiled the next CGM it hopes to get approved. The BioXensor is the first CGM in the world to utilize multiple sensor types to provide real-time blood glucose readings.
But this highly intelligent device is capable of far more than just measuring blood sugar levels. Here, we take a look at what makes GlucoRX’s BioXensor so unique, how it works, and why devices like this promise to revolutionize the wearables market.
What Is the GlucoRX BioXensor?
On the surface, the new GlucoRX BioXensor looks a lot like the coin-sized Dexcom G7 CGM and Abbott’s Freestyle Libre line of CGMs. But that is where the similarities between this device and others already on the market end.
Rather than relying on needles to measure glucose levels, the BioXensor uses three separate, noninvasive techniques. The device does not penetrate the skin and no applicator is required to put it in place. Like the company’s AiDEX CGM, this one is rumored to be rechargeable and have an extended use life of up to four years.
The BioXensor will work with a highly capable smartphone application to provide users with blood glucose readings every minute. This is an improvement over most CGMs on the market that offer readings only every five minutes. The user-friendly app will utilize cloud computing to transfer, store, and process data to reduce battery and memory usage. Additional data analysis will be available on the company’s desktop-enabled platform.
GlucoRX’s BioXensor is currently seeking FDA and CE approval, but the company is hopeful it will launch later this year.
Clinical trial prototypes achieved a MARD rating of 10.4%. This is less impressive than the MARD rating of 7.9% achieved by the Freestyle Libre 3 and less accurate than many other CGMs on the market. Still considering the noninvasive nature of the BioXensor, this is an impressive result. And there is hope that the fourth generation model currently undergoing review will be even more accurate than early iterations.
Additionally, unlike current CGM options, this one does not measure subcutaneous glucose levels but, rather, blood glucose levels. As subcutaneous levels tend to lag behind real-time blood glucose measurements, this CGM will allow for more accurate treatment decisions when glucose levels are in flux.
The GlucoRX BioXensor also measures a wider reading range than most CGMs available. It can accurately detect glucose measurements from below 2 mmol/dL (36 mg/dL) up to 30 mmol/dL (540 mg/dL).
How Does it Work?
The key behind BioXensor’s noninvasive blood glucose measuring abilities lies in three separate sensors built into the device. The first is a radio frequency (RF) sensor. The second is an infrared stroke photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. And the third is a bioimpedance sensor.
These three technologies work together to provide accurate blood glucose readings without inserting needles or wires. The algorithms that process the data are also able to take into consideration additional input provided by the sensors in order to increase the accuracy of the blood glucose data provided to the user.
BioXensor’s Multi-Sensor Capabilities
Building multiple separate, highly sensitive sensors into the BioXensor does more than allow it to read blood glucose levels in various ways. The CGM also has the unique ability to collect other vital metrics.
In addition to blood sugar, the bioimpedance sensor also collects data on respiration and galvanic skin response, both indicators of emotional state. The PPG sensor collects additional data on blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiration. All of these provide insight into the user’s emotional state, activity rate, and sleep habits.
In addition to these sensors, the device also contains a nine-axis accelerometer, hygrometer, thermometer, barometer, and pressure sensor. These help detect movement, falls, hydration, and body temperature. All of this data could be easily utilized in conjunction with blood glucose to alert family members and caregivers via the connected app if the user were to lose consciousness.
The same sensors can also be utilized by the user to enable sedentary reminders, track calories burned, and provide insight into how different activities affect blood glucose trends.
Multi-Sensor Applications Beyond Diabetes Management
What the developers at GlucoRX have managed to do is create a multi-sensor device the size of a coin capable of monitoring over a dozen aspects of physical and emotional well-being. They’ve reiterated many times that, while this CGM is highly capable, the algorithms and software paired with it are primarily focused on tracking blood glucose levels.
But there is no doubt that this device could be used for a variety of applications. And all it would take to change it from a CGM to a mental health treatment tool, hormone tracker, or endless other options is different software.
We’ve looked at the various possibilities for using CGMs outside of diabetes management before. With this CGM, the opportunities are even more expansive.
We fully expect the developers at GlucoRX to continue to update their software to encompass all aspects of diabetes treatment and support. The activity trackers could easily be utilized to help those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes work toward their weight loss goals while tracking changes in blood glucose patterns. For those who have lived with diabetes for some time, the various sensors could be used to detect abnormal heart rates and changes in vitals that would indicate a cardiac problem, a common complication for those living with diabetes.
Beyond diabetes, a multi-talented device like this could be used to track and treat everything from stress disorders to hypertension to epilepsy. We’ve talked about the potential for connected devices in treating chronic illness before. This CGM proves that creating interconnected devices is not necessary if you put enough sensors into a single wearable device. But it also highlights the importance of agile software and how this kind of software could be used to turn a single physical device into multiple products with varied applications.