Extend use of FreeStyle Libre sensor

renno-bih commented 7 years ago

I'm glad to see projects like this. As this sensor can work only for 14 days it is very expensive for diabetics. Is there any way to extend life of this sensor and still use it with LimiTTEr after 14 days. Looks like battery is not problem but Abbot forces you to buy another one.

BenY1 commented 7 years ago

I would also like to open one up and inspect it. I feel it may have some sort of internal clock that counts down once the tag is active to the reader. Its likely not possible to change anything. If its got an internal clock then short of modifying the clock on a nano level is impossible. They have us by the balls. I will strip one down soon to see how they made them.

JoernL commented 7 years ago

I have opened (milling) an active sensor and tried to do a quick restart by pull and push the battery for a second - without success! It immediately stops working.

mantas-done commented 7 years ago

In LibreLink app there is one interesting sentence: Be aware that travelling into earlier time zones could shorten your sensor life if you are near the end of your sensor wear period.

So maybe the life can be extended by changing to different timezone?

Source: https://www.librelink.com/support/getting-started/new-sensor

nicolasrk commented 7 years ago

@mantas-done I think there u have a point. I didn't probe what happens if u move back ur date on the reader when is almost to finish the sensor time. Anyway I think the sensor should have some logic and flags to avoid this kind of situation. But is a good point to try a hack. I'am pretty sure the life time of the sensor is mostly defined by commercial reasons. (for sure there is tech reason like, oxidation of sensor, battery life time, etc, etc. But 14 days sounds really arbitrary IMO.

notdotscott commented 7 years ago

FYI some people have had success getting readings from the sensor after the 14 day period using the Glimp app on Android. Check the comments from this blog post: http://www.diabettech.com/freestylelibre/freestylelibre-more-than-14-days-glimp-a-third-party-libre-reader-app-with-a-difference/

Perhaps the same can be done with LimiTTer?

darren060673 commented 6 years ago

Ok, so I'm new to github, but have been a very keen hardware tinkerer for many years. I have opened up several libre sensors and managed to download Ti datasheets for the family of proceesors. The chip has a reset pin than appears to be tied down to -ve with a resistor and capacitor of as yet unknown values. There is also a thermistor coupled to one of the processors ADC inputs. I am currently trying to figure out how to potentially reset the device. Would be greatful of and software help, as I am purely a hardware guy.

darren060673 commented 6 years ago

I have just learned today that the USFDA have only approved the sensors for 10 day use, therefore it's got to be a software/firmware switch, most likely determined by the reader/starter. Has anyone managed to start a new sensor from a Non Abbot App, like Glimp or Xdrip? apologies if I'm asking stupid questions, but I feel there has to be potential to hard reset the processor.

valentinser commented 6 years ago

Hello, just found this topic. I wanted to say that Glimp cannot start sensors. As far as I know, only the official Abbott FreeStyle Libre App or the Sensor Reader can start a new sensor.

waltsteinchen commented 6 years ago

I read through the specs .. and imho the chip has a MSP430 as core and is completely programmed OverTheAir at startup (=enabling the sensor with the reader), imho it's a general purpose chip for reading data through NFC from TI.. nothing really special for Abott. I guess! that this is the reason that you cannot enable a sensor with the handy app because the risk that the app would be reverse engineered was considered too high. I also guess that the entire expiration programming is determined during that programming stage. Thought a while why it is possible to read data from the sensor for >14 days, ~1 day or so... but the oscillator on the device is probably not very exact .. so they let it run for a little longer time and do the exact limitation in software. At least I would do that ;-) again .. all above is basically guessing.

SandraK82 commented 6 years ago

The chip is not a standard, but very similiar to a standard nfc chip from ti. The application is factory preloaded and the activation is just setting something via nfc. This is not only done by the official apps and already reverse engineered by the people who provide glimp-s.

Once activated the chip locks Write access and Starts the timer, this Runs usually 14 days and a half currently for me (European sensor). There are reports of longer running sensor from other countrie, but nothing concrete yet.

fernandezfj commented 6 years ago

All, My son has been using FreeStyle Libre sensors/reader that we purchase from Europe for the last 2 years. Yesterday we attempted to read/initiate a US purchased sensor with the European reader and I received an error indicating the sensor was not compatible (I'll try to post exact error later). FreeStyle Libre from Europe lasts 14 days and have a 1-hour warm-up instead of US version which lasts 10 days and has a 12 hour warm up period, which is ridiculous.

valentinser commented 6 years ago

Hello, I think the 10 day period vs 14 day period might be related to different regulation and aplicable laws.

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 20:56, fernandezfjnotifications@github.com wrote:
All, My son has been using FreeStyle Libre sensors/reader that we purchase from Europe for the last 2 years. Yesterday we attempted to read/initiate a US purchased sensor with the European reader and I received an error indicating the sensor was not compatible (I'll try to post exact error later). FreeStyle Libre from Europe lasts 14 days and have a 1-hour warm-up instead of US version which lasts 10 days and has a 12 hour warm up period, which is ridiculous.

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.

fernandezfj commented 6 years ago

Hello,

I read part of the FDA approval, it seemed like Abbott was playing it safe and extended warm-up period and shortened the dates to be able to show even better data. I didn't see a restriction from the FDA per say... Since I have both type of sensors I will try to take them appart and share pictures, but I don't anticipate finding any hardware differences. My guess is taht the software in the reader can detect the sensor it is authorized to work with and will dictate the warm-up and life of it. I finally got the prescription approved for my son in the US, and was very dissapointed to learn about the limitations.

glaucoqs commented 5 years ago

Hi.. I'm from Brazil, and diabetic... Studying the sensor, the activation is in the moment when you open the new sensor and put 2 parts together... The pins of sensor, short the circuit, and let's battery energy starts the counter. Supposing the memory is for 8 hs and the sensor works about 14 days.. the counter is for the number of times the chip save the middle of 3 measures (1/min).. in total.. because in last day, with the app glimp, it's repeat in grafic..

I think the sensor can be used for much time... It's only a electrode sending and measuring the energy back.. to insert again in skin, can be used the needle in applicator...

cadcoke5 commented 5 years ago

The electronics are not the main issue that limit the lifespan of the sensor. Rather, it is the chemistry of the sensor and the body's own activities that affect the sensor filament that goes into the body.

So, even if you succeed in getting the hardware to permit it to run longer than 14 days, the accuracy will quickly decline and eventually be generating useless information. And if you are going to medicate yourself based on useless information, you might be creating a very bad situation.

amrdys commented 5 years ago

At some point they say it will cause skin irritation If kept for longer periods.

IMO there should be a way to change parts of the sensor which can make things worth with continuous use (like the needle) and not all of it. I'm pretty sure the chip, battery and other circuits can be used for a very long time.

jskasia commented 4 years ago

If the electrode (the needle that goes underneath skin) can be cleaned or replaced, the we can re-apply the old sensor. Might need to replace battery from time to time, and reset the circuit. See sample here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh6NXaC8EFU&t=893s

cominixo commented 4 years ago

If anyone's interested, my app can modify the Libre's memory, that includes resetting the age value to 0. Sensors usually last 7 days extra and are decently accurate with calibrations, just won't work with anything official. Only works with non-US Libre 1 sensors for now.

Spshulem commented 3 years ago

@cominixo any updates on getting this to work with the Libre 2?

cominixo commented 3 years ago

Not really, don't have a libre 2 to test with and I probably won't be able to use the same method anyway.

jskasia commented 3 years ago

@cominixo your app works great. I tested with 2x libre 1 sensors. Both were able to work upto 30 days until they died. With help of the calibration on xDrip. The accuracy maintained thoughout 30 days period. Thanks so much. By the way, where did you get the auth code for different sensors from?

cominixo commented 3 years ago

Well the password is only one actually, the different IDs were basically from looking up things, for the password I believe you can find it in LibreLink code.

CarlHelberg commented 3 years ago

Hi @cominixo

Would it be possible for you to make a branch of this app written in C#? I think it would be easier for you since you already know how everything works. Using xamarin it would then be compatible with IOS and Android. Otherwise, can I give it a shot at rewriting it?

Salva991 commented 3 years ago

Hi, i'm from Italy and nice to meet you all, @cominixo I' ve just installed your app, scan the expired sensor and reset age, but sensor still remain expired, i do wrong? Can you explain me? It is a very cool app 😁👍

cominixo commented 3 years ago

@CarlHelberg you can rewrite it yeah, would be too much work for me right now. @Salva991 make sure you're not using any official apps to read it, and if you reset the sensor age before ~14d12h when it dies. Also make sure you're actually scanning the sensor again after you press the reset age button.

Salva991 commented 3 years ago

@cominixo so I have to reset before it expires, right? I have tried with the sensor already expired, should I try with the next one?

cominixo commented 3 years ago

Yeah if it's past that mark you should just do it with the next one, but you can still do it after it officially expires, just not after the extra 12h or so it has.

Salva991 commented 3 years ago

Ok, I will do it with the next one, I will give you feedback in two weeks 👍👍

TanyaStoman commented 3 years ago

@CarlHelberg have you had successes with writing the app for IOS?

CarlHelberg commented 3 years ago

@TanyaStoman not yet, been a bit busy this week, but hoping to look at it this week. As a side note, on IOS if you have Testflight + Diabox app, they say you can also reset the sensor. I haven't tried this yet, so can't confirm.

MMW12356 commented 3 years ago

AFAIK, US 14 day and Libre 2 sensors cannot be extended as they are encrypted.

charebl190 commented 3 years ago

Hi @

Hi @cominix can you send me the app file for the extended life for the freestyle libre app via WhatsApp ot email pls bc i can't manage to build it my sensor expires on Monday if you can help soon😔

glaucoqs commented 3 years ago

Hi. You can download and install the app in this link: https://github.com/cominixo/OpenLibreNFC/releases/download/v1.0.1/openlibrenfc-1.0.1.apk Remember to reset age before expire. (~13,8 days).. And remember to use the no official app (ex.. xdrip) first days, together with oficial app to calibrate xdrip.. 👍

charebl190 commented 3 years ago

@cominixo please if you can send me the app via email bc i can't manage to download it my email is zaarourc45@gmail.com please

glaucoqs commented 3 years ago

Is not possible send the file by e-mail. Google blocks.

charebl190 commented 3 years ago

Please send me the apk via mail zaarourc45@gmail.com pls bc i can't manage yo download it

charebl190 commented 3 years ago

Can someone send it for me by mail? Pls Zaarourc45@gmail.com i can't manage to build the app and my sensor expires on Monday pls

HimenBluepixel commented 3 years ago

@cominixo i have a Libre 2 Canadian sensor. I want to activate the sensor with Android custom code. Do you have an idea what could be the byte array or command need to send for activate the sensor. I tested your demo code with Non US libre 1 and its working very well.

Please let me know if you have any idea for same.

cominixo commented 3 years ago

I have no idea about internals of libre 2s, don't have them yet

Himen007 commented 3 years ago

@cominixo Do you have an idea about how to activate and get glucose data of the Libre Pro sensor ?

Harry5533 commented 3 years ago

I've been using Libre pro for the past two years and able to extend it for 28 days now. sometimes it breaks before reaching 28. But any day after 14 is of great help.

Need help with it. DM @ https://www.instagram.com/bornunic/

Works only with Libre Pro

maujah commented 2 years ago

Hello

I have a sensor that finishes its cycle in a few days, unfortunately last weekend I lost the reader where the information of the last three days was left, Is there a method to retrieve the sensor information, or is there no longer a chance?

Harry5533 commented 2 years ago

hi maujah,

If u have nfc phone u can retrieve it

Thanks

On Tue, 23 Nov, 2021, 8:26 pm maujah, @.***> wrote:

RjayG commented 2 years ago

hi, i use libre 1 but not familiar with xdrip as i do not use that. do i really need to use that if I reset the sensor? if so, can you teach me how to use it/calibrate? just a quick step by step guide should be ok or if you can point me to a resource to read should be fine as well. thanks!

olektee commented 2 years ago

What do You mean reset age before 13.8 days and then use xdrip with sensor ? Or start using xdrip before 13.8 days (to compare to original app), then reset before 13.8 days and then use just xdrip ?

Harry5533 commented 2 years ago

@olektee - reset should be done couple of hours before expiry. thats is 13th day after completion 20 hours of usage is safe. Personally i have tried resetting it even after 3 days and it works good. i use Libre pro from India.

mohdmunaf commented 2 years ago

@Harry5533 Hi, I wanted to activate Libre Pro sensor through Android/iOS app. It would be great if anyone has code snippet.

foxisoft commented 1 year ago

Hi, Do you have a solution to extend Libre2 sensor? Thanks

7 oct. 2022 17:33:30 mohdmunaf @.***>:

cadcoke5 commented 1 year ago

I never found one.

TanyaStoman commented 1 year ago

If anyone ever do find one please share with us

On Mon, 23 Jan 2023 at 19:07, cadcoke5 @.***> wrote:

JoernL / LimiTTer

Extend use of FreeStyle Libre sensor #13