Agamatrix is a developer and manufacturer of the WaveSense blood glucose monitors. The company is located in Salem, New Hampshire and was founded approximately 10 years ago in 2001. Since its founding, the company has developed a popular group of glucose meters and monitoring software. The meters are known for their accuracy, as detailed below.
BLOOD GLUCOSE METERS
There are currently four WaveSense meters. I find this family of meters to be a bit odd. Don’t get me wrong, I like them, but except for the Jazz, there is not a large discernible difference between the other three meters. Either that or the company needs to improve its sales literature discussing the meters.
UPDATE 2012: You can still find the meters below in many stores and online retailers. However, in 2012, Agamatrix appears to be in the process of exiting the retail market and becoming an exclusive technology developer and OEM. This means that they develop the glucose meters and then let other companies sell them under various brand names. For the time being, I will keep this page as is, since you can find these meters under the Agamatrix brand name.
Also, exciting news in 2012 is that the company began shipping a new glucose meter that attaches to your iPhone. The meter is retailed exclusively by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi Aventis. The meter is called the ibgstar, follow the link for my review.
For the time being at least, here is the product line up from Agamatrix:
WaveSense Jazz: This meter has a lot of promise. It has good storage (1,865 tests) and is pending introduction of wireless technology (for synching with its management software) and compatibility with the Apple iPhone. Nice.
WaveSense KeyNote: This is the bread and butter of the product line along with the Presto. It is very small and simple to use.
WaveSense Keynote Pro: No real difference other than it has an ejector button for used test strips and slightly different size. I have not reviewed this meter, for these reasons.
WaveSense Presto: Very similar to the Keynote, except it is a no code meter.
AGAMATRIX GLUCOSE METER COMPARISON CHART
| Jazz | KeyNote | Presto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto. Shut Off | 3 minutes | 3 minutes | 3 minutes |
| Battery Type | Two CR2032 | Two CR2032 | Two CR2032 |
| Battery Life | Not Listed | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Alt. Site Testing | Yes (P,F)* | Yes (P,F)* | Yes (P,F)* |
| Memory Capacity | 1,865 Tests | 300 Tests | 300 Tests |
| Storage Temp. | 46° - 86° F | 46° - 86° F | 46° - 86° F |
| Operating Temp. | 50° - 104° F | 50° - 104° F | 50° - 104° F |
| Result Range | 20 to 600 mg/dL | 20 to 600 mg/dL | 20 to 600 mg/dL |
| Sample Size | 0.5 microliter | 0.5 microliter | 0.5 microliter |
| Test Time | 4-12 seconds | 3-12 seconds | 3-12 seconds |
| Weight (battery) | 1.69 oz. (yes) | 1.56 oz. (yes) | 1.65 oz (yes) |
| Size (Inches) | 1.81 x 3.27 x 0.79 | 1.6 x 2.8 x 0.6 | 1.7 x 3.0 x 0.6 |
| Backlit Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coding Req. | No | Yes | No |
| Software Avail. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
* P=Palm, F=Forearm
ACCURACY CLAIMS
What makes AgaMatrix different from most glucose meter companies is the method its meters use to read your glucose levels from the test strip. Most meters use static electrochemical methods to determine your blood glucose levels. AgaMatrix uses Dynamic Electro-chemistry, referred to as WaveSense, to read the glucose samples.
Why is this important? Maybe, even more importantly, what does this mean? Bottom line is that the meter tends to be more accurate than glucose meters employing electro-chemical technology.
As you know, many glucose monitors can vary greatly in the glucose readings they deliver. These variations can be anything from the test strip condition and age to the cleanliness of your skin and even user errors. Reading the sample with digital technology, rather than electro-chemical technology is meant to allow for greater accuracy.
Each test is meant to detect and correct many of the most common errors that can occur during sampling and testing. By digitizing the signal, each monitor can run a sophisticated set of checks to try and ensure the most accurate reading.
Is this true? Maybe. Anecdotally, many people claim that AgaMatrix meters do deliver greater accuracy. However, I am not aware of any head to head studies with other meters that would confirm the claim.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The company has monitoring software called Zero-Click. This software is very neat. When you plug in the USB cable the software automatically syncs the information and creates usable graphs and charts to see how your glucose levels have been doing.
The software also allows you to easily change standard meter settings, such as alarms, times, dates, etc., and then synch with the meter. This is cool because you do not have to fumble around with the meter through a seemingly endless menu system to try and change this information. The software is free, but you will have to purchase a USB cable.
The company also has an iPhone app which lets you track and manage your glucose levels. You can also track your exercise, certain carb and insulin levels, etc. Very nice app.