An End To Finger-Stick Testing For Diabetes Patients?

The PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PSID) announced in April that it planned to conduct laboratory-based comparisons of the non-invasive Easy Check breath glucose analysis system versus the current standard “finger stick” blood glucose testing method. The hope for diabetics is that this new breath analyzer will accurately gauge a patient’s blood glucose level, without the current painful process of finger-sticking. The Company acquired the Easy Check breath glucose development product and associated intellectual property in February 2010.

The current method of finger-testing remains to be a heavy burden on those patients that suffer from diabetes. New technologies look very promising.

From the PositiveID website:

The Easy Check breath glucose test, currently under development, is a non-invasive glucose detection system that measures the levels of acetone in a patient’s exhaled breath. The Easy Check breath glucose detection system combines a proprietary chemical mixture with exhaled breath, which creates a new molecular compound that can be measured with the Company’s patent-pending technology. The Company believes that its technology generates a chemical reaction that can be reliably measured and accurately depicts a patient’s blood glucose level. This could eliminate a patient’s need to prick his or her finger multiple times per day to get a blood sugar reading.

Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID, said, “As we move to the next stage of development, we are eager to validate our belief that the science behind the Easy Check system and resulting non-invasive readings compare with current, more painful blood glucose testing methods, specifically the finger prick. We believe that successfully developing and commercializing a non-invasive, reliable test for blood sugar levels could transform diabetic compliance rates and patient care.”

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:PSID) announced today that it has completed the design of its prototype handheld Easy Check Breath Glucose Detection Device and plans to complete the development of the prototype unit by the end of 2010. The small unit, measuring approximately 5.5 inches by 4.5 inches, utilizes a single-use capsule containing a proprietary reagent that triggers a chemical reaction that can be immediately measured and correlated to blood glucose levels. The Company believes this device could eliminate a patient’s need to prick his or her finger multiple times per day in order to get a blood sugar reading. The Company plans to begin conducting side-by-side comparisons of the handheld device versus the standard “finger stick” earlier than originally anticipated. [Source: GlobeNewswire]