*********************************************************************

                             Meters FAQ

     - information on meters for self-testing of blood glucose -

*********************************************************************

 Last Updated: February 24, 1997

 Changes:
  Updated contact info for MediSense
  Added info for Exactech RSG
  Added entry, but no data for the Prestige meter
  Added non 800 number for Home Diagnostics
  Corrected battery type for ACT (Tracer)
  Added explanatory text

 Previous changes:
  Added abbreviations (but no data) for the Accutrend and
    Accutrend Mini (Boehringer-Mannheim).
  Added abbreviations and performance data for ACII and ACIIm.
  Added UK names for the AC Instant, ACIII and Glucometer Encore
  Added precision and accuracy data for Diascan-S, Supreme and Ultra
  Added info for new Lifescan Sure Step
  Corrected ACEZ memory features
  Corrected OTB  memory features
  Corrected Encore test time
  Changed "Memory features" to "Other Features" and added strip
    name and warranty info
  Updated features list
  Added MediSense Precision QID
  Added Lifescan One Touch Profile
  Added AccuCheck Instant
  Added column for electrode/reflective type
  Moved memory features to separate section

 -------------------------------------------------------
 I was unable to get all the information for all meters.
 If anyone has features or performance data for any
 meter not represented, please forward it to me, and I will
 update this list.

 All information is current to the best of my knowledge.
 Any errors or typos are my own. If you see any errors,
 please notify me, and I will correct them.

 Thank you.

 Tere Griffin (griffin@cam.nist.gov)
 -------------------------------------------------------


Meters
======


* - Accuracy and Precision data included in table below

 Abbr  Meter                            Manufacturer Name/Addr/Phone (in US)
 ---   -----                            ----------------------------------

*AC2   Accu-Chek II                     Boehringer-Mannheim Corp
*AC2M  Accu-Chek IIm                    9115 Hague Rd.
*AC3   Accu-Chek III (UK: Reflolux S)   Indianapolis IN 46256
*ACEZ  Accu-Chek Easy                   1-800-858-8072
*ACT2  Tracer II
*ACT   Tracer
*ACA   Advantage
*ACI   Instant (UK: AccuTrend Alpha)
 AT    AccuTrend (not available in US)
 ATM   AccuTrend Mini (not available in US)
 
 DS    Diascan-S                        Home Diagnostics, Inc.
                                        51 James Way
                                        Eatontown NJ 07724
                                        1-800-342-7226
                                        (954) 677-9201
            
 D30   Direct 30/30                     Lilly (?)
 
*CM    CheckMate                        Cascade Medical
*CM+   CheckMate Plus                   10180 Viking Dr
                                        Eden Prairie  MN  55344
                                        (612) 941-7345 (612) 941-7091 (FAX)
                                        (800) 525-6718
 
 
*ET2   ExacTech Pen/Companion 2 Sensor  MediSense, Inc.
*ET    ExacTech Pen/Companion Sensor    4A Crosby Drive
*ETQ   MediSense Precision QID          Bedford,  Ma  01730
*ETR   ExacTech RSG                     1-800-537-3575
*ETS   Satellite-G Clinical meter       (617) 276-6000
       Venous/capillary whole blood     (617) 271-1417 (FAX)

*GA    Glucose Alert                    Polymer Technology
                                        1871 NW Gilman Blvd.
                                        Issaquah WA 98027
                                        1-800-877-4449
                                        (Meter available from
                                          The Thrifty Group 1-800-258-9559)

*GME   Glucometer Elite                 Miles, Inc. (Ames)
 GMGX  Glucometer GX (not avail in US)  Diagnostics Division
 GMQA  Glucometer QA                    P.O. Box 79
 GMM+  Glucometer M+                    Elkhart IN 46515
 GM2   Glucometer 2 (5550)              1-800-348-8100
 GM2M  Glucometer 2 w/ memory (5625)
*GM3   Glucometer 3
*GMEn  Glucometer Encore (UK: Glucometer 4)

*QC2   Quick Check 2                    Glucostix clone used w/ GM2
*QC3   Quick Check 3                    Glucofilm clone used w/ GM3
                                        Can-Am Care Corp.
                                        Cimetra Industrial Park
                                        Box 98
                                        Chazy NY 12921
                                        1-800-461-7448

*OSS   Lifescan Sure Step               Lifescan (Div of Johnson & Johnson) 
*OT    Original One Touch               1000 Gibralter Dr
*OTB   One Touch BASIC                  Milpitas  CA  95035-6312 
*OT2   One Touch II                     1-800-227-8862 (US) 1-800-663-5521 (CA)
*OTP   One Touch Profile

 P     Prestige                         Home Diagnostics (see above, Diascan-S)

*QC1   Quick Check ONE                  One Touch clone strips used w/ OT2
                                        Can-Am Care Corp. (see above)
       NOTE: Sometimes the OT2 will not recognize a control test
       with the QC1 strips as a control test and the "C" will not
       appear in the data memory.

*FC    First Choice                     One Touch clone strips used w/ OT2
                                        Polymer Technology (see above) 

 SM    Supreme bG Meter                 Supreme Medical/ChronoMed
                                        27111 Aliso Creak Rd., #115
                                        Alviso Viejo CA 92656
                                        1-800-866-1187
 


 U     ULTRA                            Home Diagnostics (see above, Diascan-S)




Features (Memory features below)
================================
N/R = non-replaceable (battery)

       Test    Hematocrit                 Non-  Self- Sensor Type:
Meter  Range   Range  Test time  Battery  Wipe  Time  Electrode/Reflective
-----  ------  -----  ---------  -------  ----  ----  --------------------
AC2    20-500  35-55  120   sec  6v(A544)  N     N    Reflective
AC2M   20-500  35-55  120   sec  6v(A544)  N     N    Reflective
AC3    20-500  35-55  120   sec  6v(A544)  N     N    Reflective
ACEZ   20-500  35-55  15-60 sec  6v(A544)  Y     Y    Reflective
ACT    40-400  35-55  120   sec  6v(A544)  N     N    Reflective
ACT2   40-400  35-55  120   sec  2-3vLith  N     N    Reflective
ACA    20-600  30-55 <45    sec  2-3vLith  Y     Y    Electrode
ACI    20-500  30-55  12    sec  4-1.5vLR9 Y     Y    Reflective
                           (Duracell PX625A)
CM     40-400  30-55  60-90 sec  2-3vLith  Y     Y    Reflective
CM+    25-500  20-55  15-70 sec  2-3vLith  Y     Y    Reflective
DS     10-600  20-60  90    sec    J       N     N    Reflective
D30      ?       ?    30    sec    ?       Y     Y    Electrode
ET     40-450  35-55  30    sec   N/R      Y     N    Electrode
ET2    20-600  35-55  20    sec   N/R      Y     Y    Electrode
ETQ    20-600  30-60  20    sec   N/R      Y     Y    Electrode
ETR    40-450  35-55  30    sec   N/R      Y     Y    Electrode
ETS    20-600  35-55  20    sec    ?       Y     Y    Electrode
GA     30-400  30-50  50    sec   N/R      N     N    Reflective
GME    40-500  20-60  60    sec  2-3vLith  Y     Y    Electrode
GMGX     ?       ?    ?            ?       ?     ?    Reflective
GMM+   20-500  20-60  60    sec   2-AA     N     N    Reflective
GM2    40-399  35-50  60    sec  9 volt    N     N    Reflective
GM2M   25-399  35-50  60    sec  9 volt    N     N    Reflective
GM3    20-500  20-60  60    sec   N/R      N     N    Reflective
GMEn   10-600  20-60  15-60 sec   N/R      Y     Y    Reflective
OSS     0-500  25-60  30    sec  2xAAA     Y     Y    Reflective
OT      0-600  25-60  60    sec 4xN cells  Y     Y    Reflective
OTB     0-600  25-60  45    sec    J       Y     Y    Reflective
OT2     0-600  25-60  45    sec    J       Y     Y    Reflective
OTP     0-600  25-60  45    sec  2xAAA     Y     Y    Reflective
SM     40-400  30-65  55    sec    J       Y     Y    Reflective
U       0-600  30-55  45    sec    J       Y     Y    Reflective


Other Features: Memory, computer connection, warranty, strip name, etc.
=======================================================================
d/t = date and time

AC2    No memory on meter, can connect to Merlin electronic logbook which can
        download to computer, 2 yr warranty, ChemStips bG
AC2M   30, no d/t can connect to Merlin electronic logbook then to computer
        2 yr warranty, ChemStips bG
AC3    20 + d/t, can connect to Merlin electronic logbook then to computer
        2 yr warranty,ChemStips bG
ACEZ   30 no d/t, new model has 350 + d/t + avg/min/max + events, can connect
        to Merlin electronic logbook then to computer, 3 yr warranty, Easy
        Test Strips
ACT    7, no d/t, 2 yr warranty, Tracer bG Strips
ACT2   10 no d/t, 2 yr warranty, Tracer bG Strips
ACA    30 + d/t, New model has 100 + d/t, both have computer connection
        through calibration port, 3 yr warranty, Advantage Test strips
ACI    9 no d/t, 3 yr warranty, AccuChek Instant Strips
CM     40 no d/t, Lifetime warranty, CheckMate Strips
CM+    255 d/t, Lifetime warranty, CheckMate Plus Strips 
DS     10 no d/t, 2 yr warranty
D30    1 no d/t, 1 yr warranty
ET     1 no d/t, 4 yr warranty, ExacTech Strips
ET2    10 no d/t, can connect to computer via strip port and download 250 + d/t
       4 yr warranty, Companion/Pen II Strips or Precision QID Strips
ETR    1 no d/t, 4 yr warranty, ExacTech RSG strips (older strips are not
       compatible), No calibration or coding required
ETQ    10 no d/t, can connect to computer via strip port and download 250 + d/t
       4 yr warranty, Companion/Pen II Strips or Precision QID Strips
ETS    ? + Oper ID + Patient ID, SatelliteG Strips
GA     100 no d/t, 2 yr warranty
GME    1 no d/t, New model has 10 no d/t, 5 yr warranty, Glucometer Elite
        Strips, Calibrated to plasma results
GMGX   ?
GMM+   338 d/t + 14 day avg + tests per day + insulin + diet + special events,
        Computer connection, optional modem, 3 yr warranty, Glucofilm
GM2    0, 2 yr warranty, Glucostix
GM2M   26 + Avg, no d/t, 2 yr warranty, Glucostix
GM3    10, 3 yr warranty, Glucofilm
GMEn   10 no d/t, 3 yr warranty, Glucometer Encore Test Strips
OSS    10 no d/t, 3 yr warranty, Sure Step strips, absorbent strip with
        confirmation dot on back, visually readable, but limited, Calibrated
        to plasma results
OT     250, 3 yr warranty, One Touch Strips
OTB    1, no d/t, 3 yr warranty, One Touch Strips
OT2    250 d/t + 14 day avg + 10 events, Cable for computer connection,
        9 languages, 5 yr warranty, One Touch Strips
OTP    250 d/t + 30 & 14 day avg + avg for each event + 15 events +
        insulin and carb counts, enhanced prompts, Cable for computer
        connection, 19 languages, 5 yr warranty, One Touch Strips
SM     Y, not sure how many, 3 yr warranty, Supreme bG Strips
U      2 no d/t new model has 50 no d/t, both have Data port, 2 yr warranty,
       Ultra+ Strips


Performance Characteristics
===========================


PRECISION: This is the measure of repeatability of the test. That is,
 if you were to test the same sample repeatedly, how much variation
 would you see?

N   : Number of samples used.

Mean: An average of readings of the samples, rounded to nearest unit.

S.D.: Standard Deviation, a measure of distribution in the readings. Lower
      means less deviation from the mean. It is rounded to nearest 0.1 unit.

C.V.: The S.D. can not be compared across different ranges. So the
      Coefficient of Variation is the S.D. divided by the mean. This allows
      comparison across ranges. Again lower number mean less variation.
      It is rounded to nearest 0.1%.

              Low            Med 1          Med2           High
AC2 & AC2M
 N             20             20                            20 
 Mean          50             90                           327
 Std Dev      1.8            2.8                           3.8
 Coeff Var    3.6            3.1                           1.2

AC3
 N             20             20                            20 
 Mean          40            143                           316
 Std Dev      0.7            2.6                           4.7
 Coeff Var    1.7            1.8                           1.5

ACEZ
 N             15             15             15
 Mean          54            104            250
 Std Dev      2.1            1.9            5.1
 Coeff Var    3.9            1.8            2.0

ACT
 N             15             15             15          15
 Mean          85            153            265         361
 Std Dev
 Coeff Var    2.8            2.0            2.8         2.2

ACT2
 N             20   20        20             20          20
 Mean          48   64        98            281         327
 Std Dev
 Coeff Var    2.7  3.2       1.0            1.2         3.6

ACA
 N             15             15                         15
 Mean          68            160                        530
 Std Dev      2.6            7.6                       14.1
 Coeff Var    3.8            4.8                        2.7

ACI
 N             10                            10
 Mean          79                           196
 Std Dev      3.0                           3.9
 Coeff Var    3.8                           2.0

CM
 N             20             20             20          20
 Mean          58             87            146         250
 Std Dev      3.0            4.7            9.1        13.3
 Coeff Var    5.2            5.4            6.2         5.3

CM+
 N            120            120            120         120
 Mean          53            103            211         336
 Std Dev      3.6            5.5            9.5        16.1
 Coeff Var    6.7            5.3            4.5         4.8

DS
 N         
 Mean      
 Std Dev   
 Coeff Var 

ET
 N             20             20                         20
 Mean          54             86                        279
 Std Dev      4.4            3.5                        9.3
 Coeff Var    8.1            3.9                        3.3

ET2
 N             20             20             20          20
 Mean          53             95            207         381
 Std Dev      3.5            4.1            9.2        21.0
 Coeff Var    6.5            4.3            4.4         5.5

ETQ
 N             20             60             60          60
 Mean          39             81            199         256
 Std Dev      3.0            3.3           11.1        14.2
 Coeff Var    7.7            4.1            3.1         4.7

ETR
 N             20             20             20          20
 Mean          59             89            176         297
 Std Dev      3.0            3.6            7.4         8.6
 Coeff Var    5.1            4.0            4.2         2.9

ETS
 N             20             20             20          20
 Mean          53             95            207         381
 Std Dev      3.5            4.1            9.2        21.0
 Coeff Var    6.5            4.3            4.4         5.5

* The ET Satellite-G meter was tested using fresh venous whole blood
  collected in heparinized tubes.

GA
 N             16             16             16
 Mean          48            167            282
 Std Dev      1.1            4.5           13.0
 Coeff Var    2.4            2.7            4.6

GME
 N                           117                        120
 Mean                         92                        277
 Std Dev                     5.6                       12.5
 Coeff Var                   6.1                        4.5

GM3
 N            100            100            100         100
 Mean          29             74            147         317
 Std Dev      0.8            1.6            5.8        12.2
 Coeff Var    2.8            2.8            4.0         3.8

GMEn
 N             72             72                         71
 Mean          39            104                        465
 Std Dev      2.4            4.2                       26.0
 Coeff Var    6.1            4.0                        5.6

QC2
 N                            20             20          20
 Mean                         70            159         285
 Std Dev                     2.9            6.1        12.5
 Coeff Var                   4.1            3.8         4.4

QC3
 N                            20             20          20
 Mean                         68            149         277
 Std Dev                     2.3            6.2        12.4
 Coeff Var                   3.4            4.2         4.5

OSS
 N                           400            400         383
 Mean                         83            210         468
 Std Dev                     3.0            8.2        14.3
 Coeff Var                   3.6            3.8         3.1

OT
 N             20             20             20          16
 Mean          27            150            347         558
 Std Dev      1.6            5.9           11.0        20.0
 Coeff Var    5.9            4.0            3.2         3.6

OTB/2/P
 N             20             20             20          20
 Mean          29            160            406         559
 Std Dev      0.9            5.4           16.1        16.7
 Coeff Var    3.1            3.4            4.0         3.0

P
 N
 Mean
 Std Dev
 Coeff Var

QC1
 N                            20             20          20
 Mean                         81            160         273
 Std Dev                     2.8            5.7        11.8
 Coeff Var                   3.5            3.6         4.3

FC
 N             10             10                         10
 Mean          30            120                        303
 Std Dev      1.3            2.5                        6.6
 Coeff Var    4.6            2.1                        2.2

SM
 N        
 Mean     
 Std Dev  
 Coeff Var

U
 N        
 Mean     
 Std Dev  
 Coeff Var


ACCURACY: Is a comparison of the test against some reference method.
 This gives an idea of how close the meter is reading to the actual
 value.

 Samples are taken and tested with both the meter and the reference
 method. Then the points are plotted, with the reference method on the
 x-axis and the meter on the y-axis. A calculation, called a linear
 regression, is performed. This finds a straight line that comes closest
 to all the points. The line (and any straight line)  is defined by and
 equation:
 
  y=mx+b    

 Where:
  x is the position on the x-axis
  m is the slope of the line, how steep it is.
  b is the point at which the line crosses the y-axis
  y is the resulting position in the y-axis.

 In an ideal situation, x and y would be exactly the same. That is, the
 meter would give the exact same result as the reference method. To do that,
 m would have to equal 1, and b would have to be 0. However, the meter almost
 never reads *exactly* the same  reference method.

 In the table below:

 N is the number of samples.

 m is the slope of the line regressed from the collected data. The closer
  it is to one, the better.

 b is the y value at which regressed line crosses the y-axis. The closer
  to zero, the better.

 Correlation Coefficient is a measure of how well the regressed line
  agrees with the real data. That is, how far the points vary from the line.
  A value of one indicates that the point all fall exactly in the line.
  Note this is *not* a measure of the accuracy of the meter, but rather the
  quality of the regression, or how much confidence can be placed in the
  values of m and b. A correlation of one is desirable.

Lay users 
           N     m     b    Correlation Coeff.
AC2/AC2M   84  0.99  -1.6   0.994
AC3      1169  1.00  -0.2   0.990
ACEZ      390  0.98   3.8   0.991
ACT        85  1.01  -7.60  0.993
ACT2      246  1.00  -4.0   0.988
ACA       411  0.99   2.7   0.991
ACI       156  1.03   0.8   0.992
CM        150  0.95   6.50  0.985
CM+        91  1.03  -8.20  0.984
DS
ET        100  1.04   4.89  0.985
ET2  *    144  0.94  -4.84  0.976
ETQ       311  0.94  10.6   0.984
ETr       288  0.97   2.2   0.979
ETS  *    144  0.94  -5.38  0.977
QA         51  0.98  -6.71  0.90
GME  +     61  0.92   4.92  0.992
GM3       208  1.03  -0.15  0.986
GMEn       90  0.97   4.2   0.99
QC2        74  1.01  -2.04  0.990
QC3       105  1.02  -0.48  0.991
OSS       268  0.98  -1.90  0.969
OT         72  1.02   4.70  0.979
OTB/2/P   234  1.02  -0.10  0.981
P
QC1        82  0.94   0.69  0.974
FC         90  0.99   3.67  0.991
SM
U

* Medisense list two regressions: ET vs. YSI 23AM and ET vs. YSI 23AM
  after converting YSI readings to whole blood values. I used the
  converted values.

+ Uses a Boehringer Mannheim/Hitachi 704 as a reference plasma method.