A first-of-its-kind monitoring system that automatically sends blood glucose results via Bluetooth to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The OneTouch Verio Sync blood glucose monitoring system is marked by Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) LifeScan unit and uses a mobile app to enable it to communicate with Apple's iOS devices.

Ty Lee, vice president of marketing for LifeScan, said: "For so many people, their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch have become a tool of choice to help organise and take charge of their daily lives.

"For people with diabetes, the new OneTouch Verio Sync System will enable them to use their iOS device to view and share their blood glucose results wirelessly, in much the same way they rely on them in other areas of their lives."

The system's OneTouch Reveal mobile app also allows users to view a variety of personalised information directly on their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

This includes a 14-day summary of blood sugar test results and simple visuals showing the percentage of test results within target range, and the information can easily be shared via email or text with their care providers, family or friends.

FDA clearance for the OneTouch Reveal puts J&J on a similar footing with Sanofi and its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch-compatible blood glucose monitor iBGStar, which was launched in the US last May.

It remains to be seen how users and healthcare professionals will view the devices' respective feature sets, not to mention whether a Bluetooth-enabled blood glucose monitor will be seen as more convenient than one that plugs directly into an iPhone or other Apple device.

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