ArithMed GmbH – Electromagnetic Radiant Ray

This small R&D company, based in Dortmund, Germany, claims it is close to production of what is believed to be a near IR device, although it's operational range of 80% humidity or less may indicate a middle IR device. It has been developed in conjunction with a Korean company, Samsung Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. Called the GluControl® GC300 and measuring 17.6 x 11.6 x 6 cm, with a weight of 500 grams (18 oz.), it is designed for home use.

ArithMed's GlucoControl 300

The meter is said to monitor blood sugars in the 50 to 400 mg/dl range and is battery powered. Blood glucose values, time, and date, are automatically stored in memory with operations performed with the four buttons pictured to the right. ArithMed says no additional materials, like lancets and test strips, are required, so day-to-day cost and debris are reduced.

The device uses "a non-invasive electromagnetic radiant ray" to determine glucose levels, and is believed to operated in either the near or middle infrared ranges. Samsung had previously said it planned to begin mass-producing the device beginning in mid-1998 at its Ulsan, Korea plant. Another announcement in early April indicated that a press release was imminent. However, no word on its availability, as yet.

Samsung says clinical trials have been conducted in Germany, Japan and Korea, but no data on accuracy has been released. For further information, contact Peter Pi, Samsung Fine Chemicals, Medical Devices Team, at 82-2-772-1945 (Fax# 82-2-772-1959)