Sof-TactTM, Breakthrough Alternate-Site Glucose Monitoring Technology Now Available for People with Diabetes

12-Apr-2001

Abbott Laboratories, MediSense Products announced today the availability of Sof-Tact™, the first automated alternate-site glucose monitoring system to provide virtually painless, one-step testing. For the more than 16 million people with diabetes in the United States, Sof-Tact offers a simpler, more convenient and virtually pain free alternative to traditional fingerstick testing.

"Sof-Tact is a breakthrough for people who want to avoid painful fingerstick testing and a very important development in our ongoing commitment to provide meaningful products that allow people with diabetes to better manage their disease," said Michael J. Collins, divisional vice president, Abbott Laboratories, MediSense Products. "We used the invaluable feedback we receive everyday from people with diabetes and their caregivers to design Sof-Tact to meet their testing needs."

Sof-Tact: How it Works

As an alternate-site monitor, Sof-Tact provides virtually painless testing by allowing users to perform testing on parts of the body with fewer nerve endings, such as the forearm and upper arm. In clinical trials*, nearly 9 out of 10 patients rated Sof-Tact as either "painless" or "much less painful" than traditional finger-stick testing.

Sof-Tact is also the first fully integrated and automated testing device, making daily glucose testing less complicated and more convenient by combining all of the steps required for testing in a single device. To perform a test, users load a test strip and lancet inside the monitor, place Sof-Tact on the forearm or other sites and press the 'start' button. Sof-Tact automatically lances the skin, draws the required blood sample, transfers the sample to the test strip and provides a clinically accurate glucose reading in 20 seconds. Sof-Tact's full integration and automation features can reduce potential user-generated errors.

Convenient, Virtually Pain-Free Testing For a Range of Patients

"Good diabetes management begins and ends with blood glucose management. However, one of the most common complaints I receive from diabetes patients is that fingerstick testing is painful and, as a result, many people do not test as often as they should," said J. Paul Lock, M.D., University of Massachusetts Medical School. "Until now, there was not a viable option I could recommend that provided virtually painless testing coupled with an easy to use, clinically accurate system. I know that many of my patients will appreciate the convenience and near painless testing offered by Sof-Tact and hopefully will test more frequently as a result."

With its enhanced capabilities, Sof-Tact can address the needs of a wide range of patients. For example, patients who dislike the pain and side effects of fingerstick testing as well as patients who rely heavily on their fingers, e.g., musicians, mechanics, and dentists, will benefit from Sof-Tact's alternate-site testing capabilities. Elderly patients and those with poor vision will benefit from Sof-Tact's large, backlit display; and caregivers of people with diabetes and parents of children with diabetes will benefit from the fully integrated and automated aspects of Sof-Tact.

"To better manage my diabetes, I test my blood sugar regularly. As a result, my fingers get sore, and that interferes with many aspects of my life, both at work and in my spare time," said Mary Gaudete-Chimeno, a medical receptionist with Type 2 diabetes. "Now, with Sof-Tact the pain is gone, the testing process is easier, and I can get on with my normal schedule knowing that I am not compromising accurate test results for the sake of convenience."

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/2461/sof-tacttm-breakthrough-alternate-site-glucose-monitoring-technology-now-available-for-people-with-diabetes.html