This September (2008), researchers in Florida unveiled the first glucose monitor that measures blood sugar around the clock -- literally 24/7 every five minutes.

Doctors told ABCNews.com that the invention had dramatic implications for managing the most difficult Type 1 (or juvenile) diabetes cases and that it may one day be used for severe cases of Type 2 diabetes.

People who have Type 1 diabetes have lost the ability to produce insulin on their own, need insulin to survive and rely on glucose monitoring to keep their blood sugars from plummeting or skyrocketing. Some Type 2 diabetics also rely on insulin treatments, but many can manage their disease with diet and exercise.

Managing blood sugar levels can be tricky for Type 1 diabetics. Even if the patient can avoid serious short-term complications (such as a coma or death), he or she may suffer long-term complications including blindness.

The researchers in Florida hoped allowing the patients to check their blood sugar frequently would help overall management.

"Getting better control of diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring is almost certainly likely to equate with fewer long-term complications," Dr. Roy W. Beck, from the Jaeb Center for Health Research in Tampa, Fla., told HealthDay. "This will have substantial long-term benefit on quality of life and reduce health care costs," Beck said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/YearInReview/Story?id=6512364&page=2