The Contour Plus Blood Glucose Monitoring System (by Ascensia Diabetes Care, formerly Bayer) is a highly reliable, user-friendly device designed for home blood sugar tracking. It is well-regarded for its high precision, exceeding minimum international accuracy standards (ISO 15197:2013).
Key Features
-
Second-Chance® Sampling: If the first drop of blood isn't enough, the meter beeps and allows you to apply more blood to the same strip within 30 to 60 seconds (model dependent), preventing wasted strips.
-
No Coding® Technology: The meter automatically codes itself when a strip is inserted, eliminating user programming errors.
-
MultiPulse Technology: It evaluates a single blood sample 7 times across multiple electronic pulses to ensure extreme accuracy.
-
smartLIGHT™ Indicator: Newer versions (like the Contour Plus Elite or Blue) feature a built-in color-coded light system that immediately reveals if your reading is within target (green), above target (amber), or below target (red).
-
Smart Connectivity: Many models feature Bluetooth syncing to the free Contour Diabetes App, allowing you to log, trend, and share your blood sugar history electronically.
-
Memory & Testing Specs: It stores up to 480 or 800 results (depending on the exact model version) and provides a fast 5-second countdown. It requires a tiny sample size of just 0.6 μL.
How to Use the Meter Step-by-Step
-
Prepare: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then dry them completely.
-
Set Up Lancing Device: Insert a fresh, sterile lancet into your lancing pen, twist off its protective cap, and prime the device.
-
Power On: Push a fresh Contour Plus Test Strip (gray square end first) into the meter's port. The screen will turn on automatically.
-
Prick & Sample: Lance the side of your finger pad. Touch the very tip of the test strip to the blood drop; the strip will automatically "sip" the blood inside. Hold it there until the meter beeps.
-
Read: Wait for the 5-second countdown. Your blood glucose reading will appear on the display.
-
Clean Up: Safely eject the used strip and discard the lancet into a puncture-proof sharps container.
Important Maintenance & Supplies
-
Strip Compatibility: This meter only works with Contour Plus Test Strips. It is completely incompatible with Contour Next strips.
-
Storage: Keep your test strips in their original tightly sealed container. They feature a 24-month shelf life even after opening, provided they are kept away from extreme heat and moisture.
-
Power Supply: The device typically runs on two 3V lithium batteries (CR2032 or DL2032).
