40 Year History

Ever since the first portable blood glucose meter was launched in 1969, Bayer Diabetes Care has been committed to simplifying the lives of people with diabetes. At Bayer, we believe that providing simple, effective products is a valuable step on the way to improving people’s lives. This list of key milestones shows why you can trust Bayer Diabetes Care to provide the latest blood glucose monitoring technology.

2012 – Bayer’s CONTOUR XT meter and CONTOUR NEXT test strips

Bayer launches the new CONTOUR XT meter and CONTOUR NEXT test strips, using new innovative technology to offer next generation accuracy to people with diabetes in the UK.

2010 – Bayer's CONTOUR USB

Bayer's CONTOUR USB, the world's first meter with plug and play diabetes management software, launches in the UK and Ireland.

2009 – Bayer’s DIDGET

The UK and Ireland launch Bayer’s DIDGET, the first blood glucose meter to reward children for consistent testing.

2008 – Bayer’s CONTOUR Link

Bayer launches an innovative new blood glucose meter which wirelessly transmits blood glucose test results to compatible Medtronic insulin pumps, making insulin dosing easier than ever for patients on insulin pump therapy.

2007 – New CONTOUR and BREEZE 2

Continuing to build on already successful products, Bayer enhanced both CONTOUR and BREEZE 2 in 2007 to provide faster test times and smaller blood samples.

2004 – Ascensia CONTOUR

The UK launches the first single strip meter to use No Coding ™ technology.

2003 – Ascensia BREEZE

Bayer introduces No Coding ™ technology and combines it with an on-board disc of test strips in the Ascensia BREEZE blood glucose meter.

1999 - MICROLET Vaculance

The first lancing device designed to enable sample acquisition from alternative body sites.

1997 - Glucometer DEX / Esprit

The first reagent cartridge system for self blood glucose monitoring.

1994 - Glucometer Elite

The first capillary draw biosensor for blood glucose monitoring.

1989 - Glucofacts Data-Link

The first telephone link-up with a blood glucose meter.

1987 - Glucofacts

The first PC application for analysing blood glucose data in a clinic environment.

1986 - Glucometer M

The first blood glucose meter with event markers and computer interface.

1985 - Glucometer 2 with Memory

The first blood glucose meter with a results memory.

1969 - Ames Reflectance Meter from Miles Laboratories Ltd

The first portable blood glucose meter.

1964 - Dextrostix

The first test strip for glucose in blood.

1956 - Clinistix

The first ‘dip and read’ test strip for glucose in urine.

1941 - Clinitest

The first convenient test for sugars in urine (tablet).

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