Abbott, a prominent global healthcare company, has launched its innovative continuous glucose monitoring system called Lingo, which is now available for purchase in the U.S. without a prescription. This system is designed for individuals over 18 years old who are not using insulin. It incorporates technology based on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system, which has already gained considerable attention in the healthcare market.
Lingo comprises a biosensor and a mobile app that work together to monitor glucose levels continuously. This system not only tracks glucose in real time but also provides users with personalized insights and coaching. These features are geared towards helping individuals establish healthier habits, retrain their metabolism, and enhance their overall health.
The development of Lingo responds to a growing interest in personal health monitoring, specifically in tracking biomarkers that were previously difficult to measure through consumer-available devices. Olivier Ropars, the divisional vice president of Abbott’s Lingo business, emphasized the importance of glucose as a significant indicator of the body’s response to food and lifestyle choices. He stated, “Lingo empowers individuals to build new healthy habits and take control of their health and wellness,” highlighting the device’s role in translating crucial health data into actionable insights and serving as a bridge between conventional healthcare and preventive measures.
The release of Lingo fits into larger trends within the healthcare tech industry where companies are increasingly developing devices that support proactive health and wellness management. Abbott itself has been at the forefront of other significant healthcare innovations. For example, in August, the company introduced the Vertigo Coach app in India, targeting nearly 10 million residents affected by vertigo. Available on Android and iOS platforms, this mobile app offers vital information and resources to assist users in managing their condition effectively.
Furthermore, in 2022, Abbott’s CardioMEMS, an implantable cardiac sensor system, received expanded FDA clearance. This device, which is implanted in a minimally invasive procedure into the pulmonary artery, enables the monitoring of pressure changes in the heart, catering now to earlier stage heart failure patients. In another advancement in 2021, Abbott’s imaging software, Ultreon 1.0, received FDA clearance. This software, which integrates optical coherence tomography with artificial intelligence, helps physicians better understand blood flow and blockages in heart vessels, aiding in treatment decisions.
Competitively, Abbott’s Lingo enters a market with several other players in the glucose monitoring sector. Dexcom recently released Stelo, another wearable glucose monitoring device that operates 24/7 and is available without a prescription. Similarly, Medtronic offers the Guardian Connect and Guardian Sensor 3, both smart continuous glucose monitoring systems that can predict glucose highs and lows up to an hour in advance and are integrated with their latest insulin pump technology.
The advances in Abbott’s product lines and the broader biotechnology field are not only enhancing patient care but also transforming how individuals manage their health proactively. With the continuous evolution of technology, devices like Lingo are set to play a crucial role in the intersection of healthcare and lifestyle management, empowering users to take a more active role in their health and wellness.
This ongoing innovation and expansion in the healthcare technology sector underscore the importance of upcoming industry events such as the HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum, scheduled for October 31-November 1 in Washington, D.C. Such forums provide pivotal platforms for discussing advancements, challenges, and future directions in healthcare technologies, including cybersecurity aspects essential to protecting sensitive health data in an increasingly digital world.
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