Data Sciences International (DSI), the global leader in wireless physiologic monitoring, has introduced the first-ever glucose telemetry implant for obtaining continuous, real-time measurements of blood glucose in laboratory animals.

Because the sensor is placed directly into the bloodstream, researchers are now able to detect instantaneous changes in blood glucose, body temperature, and activity for 28 days or longer while reducing animal stress and measurement variability commonly associated with the use of glucose test strips.

"We are excited to release the HD-XG glucose implant because it allows researchers to observe indicators of diabetes and metabolic diseases as they develop," said DSI chief executive officer, Bert Harman. "Adoption of continuous glucose telemetry in research studies will result in a more sophisticated understanding of blood glucose levels and, ultimately, the development of better drugs, devices, and therapies for humans."

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that diabetes affects 26 million people in the US. alone, or 8.3 per cent of the population. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and blindness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is providing an estimated $1 billion in funding for diabetes research in 2014. In addition, with nearly every major pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of new treatments for diabetes and metabolic disease, demand for better research instrumentation has also increased.