Blood Glucose Meter:

Blood Glucose Meter:

A Blood glucose meter is an electronic instrument that measures the blood glucose levels (See: Blood glucose level) in the blood. It is also called a glucometer. This instrument assists people with diabetes to keep a track of their blood glucose levels constantly. A common blood glucose meter consists of a main instrument with batteries for power supply, LED light source, a digital display, reading unit, a microchip, control panel (with on/off buttons), and optical sensors. Apart from the main instrument, the blood glucose meter consists of a lancing device that is used for a finger prick to draw capillary blood. It also consists of disposable strips that are used to collect the drawn blood for testing. The purpose of a blood glucose meter is to measure the blood glucose concentrations. It works on electrochemical technology where electrochemical strips are used to react with the sample blood in order to generate current. The disposable strips contain an enzyme called glucose oxidase. Glucose oxidase reacts with the glucose in the blood to create gluconic acid. Gluconic acid further reacts with ferricyanide on the disposable strip to create ferrocyanide. Ferrocyanide creates a current that is detected by the device and determines the amount of glucose present in the blood sample depending upon the amount of current generated. The readings of a blood glucose meters depend upon factors like ambient temperature, humidity, and altitude. With evolving technology, there are now a wide range of blood glucose meters available that can perform a lot many tasks other than just blood glucose measurement. However, there is a difference between a blood glucose meter and laboratory readings. This is because of the methods used and the change in blood sample collection. The laboratory draws venous blood and the blood glucose meter draws capillary blood. In a blood glucose meter, samples are drawn from the fingertips.