Diabetes– a severe endocrine disease, the essence of which is a violation of the regulation of glucose metabolism in the body. To date, there is no technique that could completely cure diabetes. The efforts of doctors come down primarily to keeping the disease under control. Normalizing blood sugar levels allows patients to live a full life, as well as prevent the development of complications of diabetes: neuropathy, retinopathy, vascular diseases.

To maintain blood glucose at the level of the physiological norm, insulin injections (for insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes) and hypoglycemic drugs (for type 2 diabetes, non-insulin-dependent) are used. However, normalization of glucose metabolism is impossible without constant monitoring of blood sugar levels. It tends to fluctuate not only after eating, but also after physical and even emotional stress, so it is important to regularly determine it, adjusting nutrition and glucose-lowering therapy in accordance with the obtained figures.

Of course, it is impossible to visit the laboratory several times every day to take a blood test to check the level of glucose in it. And it’s not necessary: ​​for everyday monitoring, portable glucometers have been developed that can measure blood glucose levels at any necessary time. A high-quality glucometer allows you to accurately determine the level of sugar in a patient’s capillary blood in a matter of seconds. However, it is important to understand that the accuracy of measurements depends not only on the glucometer itself, but also on the quality of the test strips that are used for analysis.

One Touch Ultra test strips

Test strips One Touch Ultra– special consumables for One Touch Ultra and One Touch UltraEasy glucometers. The special structure of the test strip allows you to independently and instantly determine the level of glucose in capillary blood using a glucometer. The accuracy of the analysis is not inferior to studies done in a professional laboratory.

The operating principle of One Touch glucometers is electrochemical. That is, the glucose level is detected by determining the intensity electric current resulting from the interaction of the reagent included in the test strip with glucose dissolved in blood plasma. The strength of such an electric current is extremely small, but a highly sensitive device detects it and, by calculating using a programmed formula, displays numbers indicating the blood glucose level. In this regard, the accuracy of measurements largely depends on the quality of the test strips and the reagent that is applied to them. The design of the test strip is quite simple: in its central part there is a mechanical capillary, into the lumen of which blood is drawn during the analysis. The test strip is coated with a special protective coating on top of the working part, which prevents contamination of the test strip and contact with bacteria, water and ultraviolet rays on its surface. This prevents the test strip from being influenced by any factors that could cause a distortion in the final result. The strip is also equipped with a chip, through which the glucometer determines the strength of the current resulting from the reaction on the strip for subsequent calculation and analysis.

Technical parameters of One Touch Ultra strips

• a minimum amount of blood is required for analysis: 0.4 µl is enough;
• blood can be applied to either side of the test strip;
• strips work on code 25;
• the measurement accuracy is extremely high, not inferior to laboratory studies using modern equipment;
• the study can be carried out even at extremely low blood glucose levels - less than 1 mmol/l;
• one package contains 50 test strips, the shelf life from the moment the package is opened is 6 months, after which their use is unacceptable.

Analogues of Van Touch Ultra test strips: is their use acceptable?

Some manufacturers produce generic test strips that are compatible with one type of glucose meter or another, but are cheaper than the original strips from the meter manufacturer. One Touch strips also have such a generic: strips UniStrip, which, according to their manufacturer, are fully compatible with One Touch meters. Is it so?

If we remember the principle of operation of glucometers, it becomes clear that the slightest deviation in the composition of the reagent, its quantity, or the design of the strip can affect the accuracy of the study. The device detects the slightest deviations in the strength of the current resulting from the electrochemical reaction and converts it into blood sugar levels, and such a measurement is extremely sensitive to the most insignificant factors. It is in connection with this circumstance that strips that have not been used within six months from the moment the package is opened must be thrown away: the result of the study is distorted, which in some cases can lead to fatal consequences. For Unistrip strips, the shelf life is even shorter: 3 months, after which the stability and accuracy of the study cannot be guaranteed.

Technical parameters of UniStrip strips

• For analysis, at least 0.7 mlk of blood is required;
• testing is possible with a glucose fluctuation range from 1.1 to 33.3 mmol/l;
• strips work on code 49;
• Shelf life: 3 months from the moment the package is opened.

Indeed, test results using Unistrip strips are read and interpreted by Van Touch meters, but the accuracy of such interpretation is lower, which can cause the patient to misinterpret the result and develop severe consequences. In addition, among the disadvantages of UniStrip strips, one should note the smaller range of glucose levels in which the study is performed. The strip reagents are not able to determine the level of glucose at extremely low or high levels in the blood. The study requires almost twice the volume of blood compared to the original strips, which requires deeper and more painful skin punctures.

One Touch blood glucose meters and test strips were developed as one system - their combination is optimal for the most accurate test results. If you want to replace One Touch test strips with Unistrip strips, you need to remember that the glucometer must be reprogrammed by setting code 49. The glucometer must not be older than October 2012.

The manufacturer of One Touch glucometers cannot guarantee the accuracy of measurements made using Unistrip test strips for a number of reasons. In particular, Unistrip control solutions are not sold in Russia, which is why it is not possible to check the accuracy of the device with these test strips at home. There is no possibility of warranty service support for the One Touch glucometer when using Unistrip strips.

When producing generics, their cost is usually reduced by using cheaper chemical components or simplifying the composition. Diabetes mellitus is a disease fraught with dangerous consequences for the health and life of the patient, therefore the high accuracy of routine blood sugar tests is very important, and savings through the use of generic test strips are, without exaggeration, dangerous. By purchasing Unistrip test strips, the patient takes responsibility for possible inaccurate measurement results and possible complications of the disease that arise from them.

The quality of life of a diabetic depends not only on reliable medications; to a certain extent, lifestyle modifications influence the outcome of treatment. Low-carbohydrate nutrition, control of physical and emotional stress, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels help medications prolong the patient’s active period of life.

Today you can control glycemia at home. The OneTouch Select glucometer and test strips of the same name cope perfectly with this important problem, allowing you to accurately and quickly perform an analysis in any conditions - at home, at work, on the road.

Features of the Van Touch Select test material

OneTouch Select test strips are compatible with OneTouch Select and OneTouch Select Simple meters. Both models are produced by the pharmaceutical company Lifescan, one of the divisions of Johnson & Johnson.

In the package of One Touch Select test strips No. 50 you can see 2 tubes of 25 strips each. Accordingly, in a box of 100 or 150 pencil cases there will be 2-3 times more pencil cases. This allows you to extend the shelf life of the package if measurements are not taken every day.

It is important that all strips that are supplied to Russia are encoded with one common code - 25, which means that when changing packaging, there is no need to insert a chip into the device to change the code: when you turn on the glucometer, this happens automatically. Agree, this is an important advantage for absent-minded mature users.

If you purchase consumables online, for example, from China, be sure to check the code on the packaging.

If storage conditions are violated (by leaving the tube in the cold or in the sun), the device may display the Er 9 message, indicating that the sensor has detected a discrepancy between the operating temperature range of the device and the environment.

Since the warranty for bioanalyzers compatible with Van Teutsch Select test strips is lifetime, the maximum that can happen during measurements is battery failure (it is designed for 1000-1500 measurements, depending on the model).

It is especially important to check the battery charge if the device has not been used for a long time.

The device itself reminds you of the problem: a battery image appears on the display in the corner. It is important to select a replacement battery of the same model.

When replacing a discharged battery, or when purchasing a new device or another package of test strips, the device must be checked for accuracy using special OneTouch Verio test fluids, which can be purchased separately. Such testing is also necessary if the device has been dropped from a height or stored in improper conditions.

In addition to auto-coding, the advantages of OneTouch Select strips include automatic retraction of a drop of liquid, a multi-layer plate structure that ensures the quality and reliability of the material, and fast (no more than 5 seconds) data processing.

In Russia, the product is certified (registration certificate FSZ No. 2008/00034 dated September 23, 2015), it can be freely purchased in the pharmacy chain. The average price for One Touch Select test strips No. 50 is 760 rubles.

Whether you've used bioanalyzers before or are using a blood glucose meter for the first time, please read the consumable and meter instructions carefully before opening the OneTouch Select test strip tube. Not only the operating budget of the device will depend on this (after all, strips damaged by improper handling cannot be restored), but also the accuracy of measurements, and, therefore, the quality of life of a diabetic.

According to medical statistics, with regular and proper self-monitoring of glycemia, the risk of developing severe complications is reduced by 60%!

The Van Touch Select system is calibrated using plasma. This is the most modern method of blood testing, which means that the glucometer readings will completely correspond to the results of a blood sugar test done in the laboratory.

It is convenient to store a package of strips in the bedroom, for example, in a darkened cabinet, out of reach of children. A refrigerator with its high humidity, a windowsill with aggressive ultraviolet radiation, or a bedside table next to a radiator are definitely not suitable for this purpose.

If the case or strip is damaged (dirty, deformed), or the jar has been open for a long time in free contact with air, such consumables cannot be used even with a normal expiration date.

When you first open the tube, you must mark the date on the packaging, since now the shelf life of the material (6 months) must be counted from the day the seal was broken.

The strip has a protective coating, so you can touch it anywhere.

But your hands must be clean, because blood or other contaminants are not allowed to get on the upper white part of the plate.

Do not push the strip into the connector with force so that it becomes deformed, do not cut any part of it - such manipulations will lead to distorted results.

Consumables are disposable material. Even if you wash away traces of blood or control solution, reagents applied to working part, have already entered into a reaction, and a qualitative analysis will not work.

Before measuring, check the expiration date and temperature of the strips and the glucometer. They should be about the same if stored at room temperature.

After the procedure, be careful not to automatically put the used test strip back into the tube. It, together with the lancet, must be disposed of immediately in the trash container.

Instructions for use

To take measurements quickly and painlessly, it is important to follow all stages of the procedure algorithm. detailed instructions The kit is also in Russian.

1. Make sure you have all the tools and materials needed for measurements on hand. The system kit is stored in a special case - this way it is better preserved and is convenient to take on the road. All necessary accessories are secured, this allows you to take measurements without removing the device or tube from the case. There is also a mount for a lancing pen, as well as a pocket for storing disposable lancets. For the procedure, you will also need alcohol and cotton wool to disinfect the wound. If you need glasses or additional lighting, arrange this in advance. Despite the compact dimensions of the device, its screen is large and the font is large, but there is no backlight.
2. A drop of blood can be obtained using a Van Touch pen, which must first be prepared. Remove the sterile lancet from its packaging, open the cap of the lancing device and insert the needle into the socket. It is very thin and sharp, so you will not feel pain when punctured. Remove the protective head from the lancet and close the cap. Turn the lower part of the body to set the puncture depth according to your skin type. The larger the number in the window, the deeper the puncture. The pen is ready.
3. Now we need to prepare our hands. If they were in the cold, this impairs blood flow and distorts the results. Wash them in warm water and soap and dry completely. Instead of a random towel, it is better to take a hairdryer.
4. Remove the test strip from the tube and immediately close it tightly. It is covered with a protective layer, so it can also be held by the indicator zone (with clean and dry hands, of course). Insert the strip into the meter with the black and white contacts facing up. The device immediately turns on automatically and displays the test strip code - 25. After 5 seconds, an image of a strip with a flashing drop and the accompanying inscription “apply blood” appears on the display. The device is ready for the procedure.
5. Prepare the puncture site by lightly massaging your finger to improve blood flow. While pressing the piercer firmly against the pad, press the release button. Carefully form a drop without much pressure (intercellular fluid distorts the results), make sure that it does not smear or spread.
6. There is no need to put your finger on the strip - this can ruin the test. Bring the end of the strip with a groove to the drop, hold it for a few seconds, and it will automatically draw the required amount of blood into the device. Make sure that the control zone is completely filled with blood.
7. Now you can see the countdown on the display: 5,4,3,2,1. At the fifth second, the measurement result will appear on the screen.
8. Treat the puncture site with alcohol.
9. Remove the pen cap and discard the used lancet. To do this, close the needle with a protective cap and press the button that releases the scarifier. It must be disposed of together with the strip. All that remains is to put the pen cap back in place and place all the accessories in the storage case.
10. Do not rely on the device’s memory (saves up to 350 measurements) and, especially, on your own capabilities. Record the measurement results in a personal self-monitoring diary or on a computer. The device also provides this possibility.

The One Touch Select system is one of the few available not only for advanced consumers, but also for mature diabetics who are far from the capabilities of modern technology.

When to measure blood sugar

What situations require additional blood sugar measurements?

• High stress background, illness;
• Deterioration in health;
• Drug dose adjustment;
• Driving vehicles;
• Suspicion of nocturnal hypoglycemia;
• Sports activities;
• Adding new products to the menu;
• Changing work and rest patterns.

Only an understanding of all the processes that occur in the body of a diabetic will help to approach this issue responsibly. When it is necessary to conduct a rapid analysis, what should you pay special attention to?

When to Measure	For what purpose
In the morning, on an empty stomach, after waking up	How did medications and the body regulate glucose levels at night?
Before every meal	How do food choices and portion sizes affect glucometer readings? Is there a need for correction? For insulin-dependent diabetics, it is important to evaluate the adequacy of the previous dose of short-acting insulin to compensate for the carbohydrate load of the previous meal. Did your sugar return to normal a few hours after eating?
After eating (after 2 hours)	How did food choice, portion size, and insulin dose affect glycemic compensation?
Before physical activity	Do you need an extra snack, can you do sports or heavy work now or is it better to postpone?
During work and after muscle activity	How did the load affect blood sugar? Does it give a delayed effect on this indicator? Is there hypoglycemia?
Stress, poor health	Do these factors affect blood sugar?
Before bedtime	Do you need an extra snack?
At 3 a.m	Do you have nocturnal hypoglycemia?
Anytime (on doctor's advice)	How does the chosen therapy affect sugar?
Before you get behind the wheel	Are the meter readings within operating ranges that are safe for the driver?

Van Touch Select Plus is a glucometer that is designed for self-monitoring of blood glucose levels at home. It is a small device, somewhat reminiscent of mobile phone, which easily fits into a hard protective case. The convenience of this model lies in the fact that there is a special holder for a tube with consumables and a piercing pen. Now you can carry everything at once from place to place or use it suspended if necessary. An undeniable advantage is the long shelf life of test strips after opening.

One Touch Select Plus has a compact size of 43mm x 101mm x 15.6mm. Weight does not exceed 200 g. To carry out the analysis, only 1 μl of blood is required - literally a drop. The speed of processing information and displaying it on the screen is no more than 5 seconds. For an accurate result, fresh capillary blood is required. The device is capable of storing 500 measurements in its memory with exact dates and times.

Important point! The glucometer is calibrated using plasma, which means that the device’s readings must match the laboratory values. If the calibration had been done using whole blood, the numbers would have been slightly different, about 11% different.

The Van Touch Select Plus blood glucose meter meets the latest ISO 15197:2013 accuracy standards.

Other features:

• electrochemical measurement method, which eliminates the need for coding;
• results are calculated in mmol/l, range of values ​​from 1.1 to 33.3;
• the device operates stably at temperatures from 7 to 40°C on two lithium button batteries, one is responsible for the display backlight, the other for the operation of the device itself;
• The best part is that the warranty is unlimited.

One Touch Select Plus glucometer contents

Directly in the package are:

1. The glucometer itself (batteries included).
2. Scarifier Van Touch Delica (a special device in the form of a handle for piercing the skin, which allows you to adjust the depth of the puncture).
3. 10 Select Plus test strips.
4. 10 disposable lancets (needles) for the Van Touch Delica pen.
5. Brief instructions.
6. Complete user manual.
7. Warranty card (unlimited).
8. Protective case.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any glucometer, Select Plus has its advantages and disadvantages. There are many more positive aspects:

There are practically no negative aspects, but for some categories of citizens they are quite significant to refuse to purchase this model:

• cost of consumables;
• no sound alerts.

Test strips for Van Touch Select Plus

Only test strips under the trade name Van Touch Select Plus are suitable for the device. They are available in different packaging: 50, 100 and 150 pieces per pack. The shelf life is long - 21 months after opening, but no longer than the date indicated on the tube. They are used without coding, unlike other models of glucometers. That is, when purchasing a new package, no additional steps are required to reprogram the device.

Instructions for use

Before taking measurements, you should carefully study the instruction manual for the device. There are a few important points, which should not be neglected for the sake of your own health.

1. Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly.
2. Prepare a new one, charge the scarifier, set it to the desired puncture depth.
3. Insert the test strip into the device and it will turn on automatically.
4. Bring the piercing pen close to your finger and press the button. To make the painful sensations less severe, it is recommended to pierce not the pad itself in the middle, but slightly to the side - there are fewer sensitive endings there.
5. It is recommended to wipe the first drop of blood with a sterile cloth. Attention! It must not contain alcohol! It can affect the numbers.
6. A device with a test strip is brought to the second drop; it is advisable to hold the glucometer slightly above the level of your finger so that blood does not accidentally flow into the socket.
7. After 5 seconds, the result will appear on the display - its norm can be judged by the color indicators at the bottom of the window with the values. Green – normal level, red – high, blue – low.
8. Once the measurement is completed, the used test strip and needle are discarded. Under no circumstances should you skimp on lancets or reuse them!

Video review of the Select Plus glucometer:

It is recommended that all indicators be entered into a special self-monitoring diary each time, which allows you to track changes in glucose after physical activity, medications in certain doses and certain foods. It allows a person to control his own actions and diet so as not to harm the body.

Special offer! Get a RUR 100 DISCOUNT. for 1 package of test strips No. 50 (RUB 1,220) when purchasing useful accessories for diabetes: thermal bags and cases for insulin, skin protection creams, Insuline belt for the pump!

Note! To receive a discount, you need to put the items in your cart, place an order, then show a printout, a photo on your phone, or write “DIALINE Promotion” in the order notes, and you will be recalculated for the total amount. Discounts add up!

Van Touch Select Plus test strips designed for use with the new OneTouch Select Plus meter to determine accurate glucose readings in capillary whole blood.

There are 50 Van Touch Select Plus test strips in a bottle. Remember to close the vial tightly after removing test strips for testing. Used test strips must be discarded.

Attention: these test strips cannot be used with other glucometers of the Van Touch family (for example, Van Touch Select or Van Touch Select Simple)!

Advantages of test strips Van Touch Select Plus:

Analysis time is only 5 seconds

No more than 1 µl of blood is required for analysis

After applying the required volume of blood to the test area, the analysis will begin automatically

Automatic adjustments are made to account for natural variations in the red blood cell content of the test sample.

Test strips do not require meter coding before testing

Measuring range 1.1 - 33.3 mmol/l

Van Touch Select Plus test strips meet the latest ISO 15197:2013 accuracy criteria.

Storing and using test strips:

• Test strips must be stored in a dry (relative humidity no more than 65%) and cool place (at a temperature of 5 to 30 ° C), protected from direct sunlight.
• When using, the meter and test strips must be at the same temperature
• Store test strips only in a tightly closed pencil case.
• After opening the case, Van Touch Select Plus test strips can be used throughout the expiration date.
• Do not use test strips after the expiration date.
• Do not reuse test strips. Do not bend or cut them. Damaged strips should not be used.
• To check the performance of the strips, use only control solution Van Touch Select Plus.

Limitations in the use of test strips:

• Do not use Van Touch Select Plus test strips to test blood sugar in newborns.
• Do not use blood plasma or serum for testing. Only whole capillary blood!
• Test strips cannot be used to test blood from alternate sites.
• The hematocrit level (percentage of red blood cells) in your blood can affect the accuracy of the measurement. If the hematocrit level is less than 30%, the results of blood glucose measurements may be overestimated; if it is above 55%, then, on the contrary, it will be underestimated. Please consult your doctor if you do not know your hematocrit level.
• Blood testing using the meter and OneTouch Select Plus strips can be performed at an altitude of up to 3,048 meters above sea level.

Van Touch Select Plus test strips are available in 2 versions:

• Pack of 50 test strips

Naturally, by purchasing package No. 100, you can save additional money.