14 Gadgets And Mobile Apps That Empower Patients With Diabetes
14 Gadgets and Mobile Apps That Empower Patients With Diabetes 14 Gadgets and Mobile Apps That Empower Patients With Diabetes Emerging (and increasingly unobtrusive) technology is making it easier for people with diabetes to control insulin, plan healthy meals and manage other aspects of their condition. Diabetes comes in many forms and affects patients of all ages. It's also affecting more people every year. In 2011, the number of Americans with diabetes stood at nearly 21 million, more than triple the total in 1980. Luckily, emerging technology makes it easier than ever for patients to take control of their diabetes. The gadgets and mobile apps featured here empower patients to be active participants in diabetes self-management and provide helpful ways to look at their glucose levels and share this information with members of their healthcare team. Dr. Joseph Kim is the president of MCM Education , a publishing company that provides continuing education for physicians, nurses and pharmacists, and the founder of MedicineandTechnology.com, MedicalSmartphones.com and MobileHealthComputing.com. [ Beware the 9 warning signs of bad IT architecture and see why these 10 old-school IT principles still rule . | Sign up for CIO newsletters . ] Patients with diabetes need to check blood sugar levels on a regular basis. The iBGStar is the first glucose meter that attaches directly to the bottom of an iPhone or iPod touch. ( Prices vary but start at $49.99.) The device also works with an official Apple Lightning to 30-pin adapter cable. The iBGStar Diabetes Manager mobile app for iOS also lets patients track and share glucose levels and trends. The GoMeals mobile app by Sanofi helps patients with diabetes make healthy lifestyle choices at home or on the go. Free and available for Continue reading >>
7 Diabetes Technology Updates For 2018
As I gathered my notes and thoughts about the potential of diabetes technology in 2018, I kept coming back to the running list of caveats and elephants in the room. Access and affordability have been headline-generating conversations across the diabetes community this year. On one hand, it feels a little weird to talk about crazy-advanced technology that will hopefully make its way to the diabetes community next year while we’re still trying to figure out why live-sustaining medication costs as much as it does. If you are struggling to afford insulin, do you have room to get excited about automated insulin delivery? But, innovation is important. The clinical trials and resources spent developing better, smarter, faster tools are essential to the grander conversation about improving the lives of people with diabetes. This shouldn’t ignore the Very Real issues that are being discussed, so I’m going to propose we try to walk and chew gum at the same time. Yes, I want better technology to help manage my diabetes. Yes, it should be affordable so that no one is priced out of quality diabetes care. When I think about the scope and potential of diabetes technology, it’s more than just a specific product or products that may come to market. So here’s a glimpse at some of the companies and movements that I am going to pay close attention to next year as diabetes technology looks to take another major step forward in 2018. Tandem’s PLGS Algorithm PLGS, or Predictive Low Glucose Suspend, Tandem’s algorithm that will predict and prevent hypoglycemia events is coming next year. That’s a fact. What I’m curious to see is what’s next. Operating in the world of upgradeable firmware (instead of just hardware) is a bit of a new journey for consumer health technology. Wh Continue reading >>
Awesome Gadgets At Mobile World Congress 2018
Awesome Gadgets at Mobile World Congress 2018 Were having a blast at MWC2018! It is truly a mobile world.Just take a look at the amount of awesome new gadgets designed specifically for mobile coming out each year.From headsets that help you lose weight without dieting to a smart-meat thermometer, the devices on display at MWC are super cool. TechForge Media caught up with Pepper to see what Softbanks humanoid robot has in store for the rest of 2018. If you dont know about Pepper, youre missing out! The robot is Pepper, the worlds first emotional robot. Pepper is widely available on the consumer and business markets in Japan and is soon arriving in the US and Europe.Pepper reads emotions and recognizes tones of voice and facial expressions to let it interact with humans. Actiste, Brighter?s world-wide service, facilitates everyday life for diabetics, stimulates behavioral change, and enables better care by means of data. A team of South Korean engineers have developed a small circular device that installs on the hub of the front wheel. It connects to the owners smartphone via Bluetooth. When the bike owner stops riding and walks away, the Bisecu device automatically locks itself. When the rider returns, it detects that too and it will unlock. Anyone who tries to ride off with the bike would find the front wheel frozen in position. British startup Neurovalens presented a headset that generates a low-level electrical pulse which sends a signal to the brain to burn fat and lose weight. The company?s head Jason McKeown said 80 percent of those who have used the Modius headset have lost weight. It comes with an app that allows you to track your progress. The Meater, a wireless meat thermometer about the width of a standard pen, lets you monitor how your meat is doing from an Continue reading >>
Mucroneedle Patch Could Replace Glucose Monitoring For Diabetics.
January 23, 2017 On January 4th an article entitled, H2O2-Responsive Vesicles Integrated with Transcutaneous Patches for Glucose-Mediated Insulin Delivery appeared in ACSNano, a journal published by the American Chemical Society. What is described is a self-regulated smart insulin administration system that replaces the daily routine of diabetics, the needle prick, the blood glucose readout, and administration of insulin injections. The patch is described as a transcutaneous microneedle-array which provides painless administration of insulin based on a continuous read of blood sugar levels . When the patchs sensors note a rise in blood sugar, the microneedles containing insulin release the right amount of the hormone through the skin. Compared to conventional treatment of the two types of diabetes, Type-1 (people who dont make insulin) and Type-2 (people who cant use insulin effectively), the wearer never experiences insulin highs or lows caused by spiking blood sugar levels. Insulin pumps already exist and researchers have been experimenting with transcutaneous patches for administering drugs. The insulin pumps, however, have been designed to provide a continuous delivery of the hormone without the ability to monitor blood sugar levels. With a micro-needle smart patch the glucose sensing ability means insulin is only delivered when the body needs it. Developed using diabetic mice models, the microneedles, made from a polymer containing glucose oxidase, react in the presence of detected glucose. This is the trigger that causes them to biodegrade and upon disintegration releases the insulin. This research is a multi-institute and multi-country achievement, with collaboration done by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill , North Carolina State University , and Changc Continue reading >>
Apple Watch Can Detect Diabetes With 85% Accuracy According To Study
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets As part of an ongoing study with the University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Cardiogram found that Apples smartwatch can be used to detect diabetes in previously diagnosed patients with 85% accuracy .Themobile health data companys deep learning network, DeepHeart, used data from over 14,000 people and was able to correctly identify diabetes in 462 individuals. Apparently, a correlation between diabetes and the bodys autonomic nervous system allows DeepHeart to detect the disease through heart rate readings. Best of all, this was done just by using sensors from the Apple Watch with no additional accessories. Your heart is connected with your pancreas via the autonomic nervous system. As people develop the early stages of diabetes, their pattern of heart rate variability shifts,Cardiogram co-founder Johnson Hsieh explains. Cardiogram has conducted similar studies in the past. The company has shown that Apples smartwatch can be used to detect irregular heartbeat with 97% accuracy, hypertension with 82% accuracy and sleep apnea with 90% accuracy. Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a persons blood sugar level to become too high. Globally, it is estimated that over 380 million people suffer from the disease. But about one third of these dont know they have the condition. People throughout the world are encouraged to learn about the risks and warning signs. Of course, this does not mean the wearable on your wrist will diagnose you, or screen you, for diabetes today.Both Apple and Fitbit are rumored to be working on non-invasive diabetes sensors but non-invasive glucose monitoring is still considered to be years away. Nevertheless, the research results are promising.Identifying early s Continue reading >>
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Three Gadgets At Ces 2018 Designed To Manage Our Health
Three Gadgets at CES 2018 Designed to Manage Our Health Wearables to treat chronic pain and monitor diabetes were on display While bundled up on the East Coast this week, Ive been poring over news articles and social media posts about the latest technologies on display at this years Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, held from 8to 12January. Televisions, drones, and smart-home applications dominated the coverage, but I was on the search for devices that align with IEEEs mission: advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. What piqued my interest were several items that address some of todays most pressing health issues. Here are three wearables that stood out. For some patients, opioid-based pain medications can be a slippery slope toward addiction. A report from the U.S.National Institute on Drug Abuse found that about 25percent of patients abuse painkillers . And in 2015, painkiller overdoses claimed the lives of more than 20,000people in the United States alone, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Quell , a new wearable from health technology company NeuroMetrix, aims to treat chronic pain without the use of opioids. The soft band is worn around a persons upper calf. The wearable stimulates sensory nerves, tapping into the bodys pain response system. Sensory nerves carry neural pulses to the brain and trigger a natural response that blocks pain signalswhich can lead to widespread pain relief, according to the companys website. NeuroMetrix debuted its wearable during a CES panel, The Vicious Spiral: How Will the Opioid Crisis End? The panel addressed how technology can help prevent addiction to painkillers as well as to alternative drugs including heroin. Type2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes bloo Continue reading >>
The Best Diabetes Apps Of The Year
We’ve selected these apps based on their quality, user reviews, and overall reliability as a source of support for people living with diabetes. If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at [email protected] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes impacts 29 million Americans, about 9 percent of the population. Someone with diabetes may experience complications such as kidney problems, blindness, or heart failure, according to the CDC. The good news is that with increased education, people are recognizing symptoms, like going to the bathroom often, having blurry vision, losing weight, experiencing tingling or numbness in lower limbs, and feeling very thirsty, hungry, or tired. Thanks to earlier diagnoses, improved treatment tools, and better self-care, people are living better with diabetes. Part of that care includes eating healthy foods, exercising, taking medicines like insulin, sticking to your treatment plan, and being proactive about colds and other sicknesses. Keeping all the pieces of your care plan straightforward can be a challenge, but several apps have emerged to help you track your day and your health. While some of these apps are specifically for diabetes and some are geared for general diet, they can all help you take control of your health. Here are this year’s top picks for the best diabetes apps. iPhone rating: ★★★★★ Android rating: ★★★★★ Price: Free Fooducate promises to be your weight loss coach. This app has a grading system designed to help you make smarter choices. It will help you understand the pros and cons of certain foods. In addition to sugar counts, the app helps you monitor carbs, colorings, mood, hunger, sleep, and exercise. R Continue reading >>
U.s. Diabetes Patients Are About To Get Some High-tech Relief
User-friendly devices to replace old, ‘barbaric’ tools ‘This is a crossroads for diabetes technology:’ analyst Diabetes devices may be having their iPhone moment. For decades, the daily routine of diabetics involved painful needles, finger-pricking lancets and imprecise glucose meters. Now, manufacturers have begun incorporating the slick and consumer-friendly designs of Silicon Valley, linking to phones and other tech devices. “This is a crossroads for diabetes technology,’’ said Raj Denhoy, an analyst at Jefferies in New York. September marked a breakthrough in the U.S., as regulators approved the first glucose-monitoring system that doesn’t need a blood sample, the FreeStyle Libre by Abbott Laboratories. The new devices do away with fingerpricks, changing an unpleasant, several-times-a-day routine into quiet monitoring in the background through a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. Other companies have been left behind. Johnson & Johnson is closing its insulin-pump unit after failing to keep up with Medtronic Plc. DexCom Inc., the current leader in glucose-monitoring systems, lost a third of its market value on Sept. 28 after Abbott’s Libre got approval. On DexCom’s earnings conference call Wednesday executives, peppered with questions about the Libre, said the company hopes to introduce its own fingerprick-free device before the end of 2018. The comments about next-generation monitors helped assuage investors’ concerns about DexCom’s prospects, sending the stock up 9.5 percent in the two trading days following the results. “Companies who succeed will be those who can figure out this convergence of health care and technology,” said Arda Ural, a partner at Ernst & Young LLP in New York. “And they’re very different animals to bring Continue reading >>
What To Expect For Cgm In 2018
Why do I feel like the G6 has been on the horizon for forever? Its unusual to be waiting for a Dexcom device - Ive grown accustom to their accelerated FDA approvals. Initial plan from Dexcom was to launch the G5x (with the new insertion device) which actually appeared more similar to the G6 then the G5. (Until the manual for the G6 is available it is conjecture as to just HOW close the G5x is to the G6.) However it is clear the G5x is quite different from the G5. So I think this made it seem like the next generation device from Dexcom has been right around the corner for quite some time now. The 2017 Dexcom/Medicare rollout ended up occupying a good deal of Dexcoms capacity and they decided it would not be a good idea to also have a G5x rollout (particularly with the G6 being relatively soon behind) and so pulled the G5x back from the FDA before it was approved and have stated the G5x will not be launched at all. The G6 was submitted to the FCC for approval in June of 2017 and submitted to the FDA for approval in September of 2017. Dexcom is now working with the FDA to decide the best approach to launch the G6 in terms of either once per day calibration or no calibration. Dex has publicly committed to having a no calibration G6 launch before the end of 2018. However if it would be late in the year to get this then Dex may choose to have an earlier launch of the G6 with once per day calibration and then follow-up later in the year with an additional launch of the G6 with no calibration. Dexcom is still dealing with a huge volume of Medicare which continues to play into the overall strategy for the company. Interesting stuff. We can only hope that the advancements will keep coming and that we wont hit a lull where there is no progress for some period of time. Unfortunate Continue reading >>
Ces 2018: All The Health, Wellness, Fitness And Medical Tech We Saw - Cnet
Every health and wellness gadget we've seen at CES 2018 Keep in mind that while we were learning about these devices down on the show floor, we weren't able to test all their company's claims thoroughly and accurately, so take their assertions with a grain of salt. Even getting a reading of something considered quite simple, like a heart rate, isn't always accurate in fitness wearables and heart-rate trackers. Still though, we couldn't help but be impressed by these products' initial concepts and intentions. If these devices do what they claim and ever actually escape developer limbo (unlike other CES vaporware we've seen ), these products can help us lead not only more advanced lives, but healthy ones as well. Self-care: Taking the reins for your health These days, the term "self-care" -- or taking a conscious initiative to take care of one's mental and physical well-being -- gets thrown around a lot. Though some companies use the concept liberally to peddle their products, it can mean more than just pampering yourself with bath bombs and candles. The My Special Aflac Duck "receiving" chemotherapy to help ease kids being treated for cancer. My Special Aflac Duck : This robotic companion duck toy comforts kids being treated for cancer by helping to ease anxiety. The duck nuzzles, waggles its head and mirrors health care routines like receiving chemotherapy. Olfinity air monitor, purifier and aromatherapy diffuser : Olfinity's air monitor assesses your air quality in real time with sensors while its purifier cleans your indoor air. Its aromatherapy diffuser creates a controlled 20-minute aromatherapy session with purified air and organic essential oils. Oska Pulse : This Pulse Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) device is designed to increase blood flow to impacted areas of yo Continue reading >>
New Diabetes Smart Watches At Ces 2017
We're sorry, an error occurred. We are unable to collect your feedback at this time. However, your feedback is important to us. Please try again later. Hey Diabetes Peeps, did you know that the term "complications" isn't always negative? Yep, it's a little known fact that in horology (the art of measuring time), a complication refers to any feature in a timepiece that goes beyond just simply displaying hours and minutes. That means day/date displays, alarms, stopwatch functions, etc. So finally, there are some diabetes-related complications we can all get behind! That is, lots of excitement this week about new glucose-tracking smartwatch features (err, complications) -- including a Dexcom-Apple Watch update and a new "Glucowatch 2.0" type device on display at the big annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that just wrapped up in Las Vegas. Earlier this week, Dexcom announced a new "complication" to its Apple Watch compatibility. Instead of having to touch an icon to open a separate screen to see your glucose data, it's now it's displayed right on the main watchface! There are four different ways to view your glucose data there, ranging from 1 to 6 hour trend graphs: Dexcom first announced Apple Watch compatibility in April 2015 with the Dexcom Follow app and watchface, and it later expanded that for all personal G5 CGM use on March 14, 2016. Now, this capability to see BG levels without pressing any buttons is a big change that many CGM users have been asking for quite a while. Currently, the new capability is only for the G5 Mobile app and Apple Watch, as the company hasn't yet updated the Follow app that lets users share their results in real-time with family members or others. Word is also that this new feature doesn't work with every single watchface, so if you hav Continue reading >>
Diabetes Tech On The Horizon – New Insulin Delivery Systems Coming In 2018
By Maeve Serino and Adam Brown Learn about what’s new and what’s coming soon in Smart Pens, automated insulin delivery, pumps, and more Diabetes technology moves fast, so to help you keep track, we’ve rounded up some of the latest offerings – and options coming soon – for insulin delivery. (You can read diaTribe’s updates about the latest diabetes apps and software here, and CGM here.) Below, you’ll find products that have recently become available or are expected to launch in the next year or so based on the most recent timing updates we’ve heard. This article is not entirely comprehensive – and timelines often change – but this list covers many of the most notable products in insulin delivery, including smart pens, automated insulin delivery, improved pump technologies, and more. A more detailed description of each product follows the table of contents below. Click to jump to a product, which are organized chronologically by their expected launch date within each category: New Insulin Delivery Devices Medtronic MiniMed 670G Hybrid Closed Loop – currently available in the US (over 20,000 users), though a sensor shortage has slowed new shipments. International launch expected by April 2018 Tandem t:slim X2 with Predictive Low Glucose Suspend (PLGS) – expected US launch in summer 2018 Insulet Omnipod Dash touchscreen personal diabetes manager – limited US market release expected in mid-2018 Medtronic MiniMed Pro Infusion Set with BD FlowSmart technology – relaunch expected by September 2018 BD Patch Pump for type 2 diabetes and smart pen needles – possible launches as early as October 2018 and as late as September 2019 Companion Medical InPen (smart pen + smartphone app) Now available in the US What’s New? Companion Medical’s Bluetooth-e Continue reading >>
The 10 Coolest Gadgets For Diabetics
Diabetes care technology has made a lot of progress in recent years. There are now a number of gadgets designed to making living with diabetes a little easier and more hassle free. Here is a look at ten current and upcoming gadgets for diabetics. iPhones do everything else, so why shouldnt they measure blood sugar? For $49.99, anyone can purchase an iBGStar meter to attach directly to their iPhone. This device not only measures blood sugar, it allows patients to track glucose levels, analyze glucose trends, and share information directly with doctors and health care providers. For just a little more than $40, you can replace your medical identification bracelet (or necklace) with a phone case that provides the same information. Paramedics and health care providers will look at your phone case just as they would search for a medical id bracelet. 3. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Insulin Pumps There is no replacement for a fully functioning pancreas, but insulin pumps that continuously monitor glucose levels are getting darn close. Some monitors now stick to your skin, wirelessly transmitting information to your insulin pump. The pump adjusts insulin levels, automatically, to maintain perfect glucose balance. Medtronic and Animas make outstanding CGM pumps. 4. Telcare Cellular-Enabled Glucose Meters Cellular-enabled glucose meters use sensors on the skin to transmit information directly to a cellular network. You can then access the information directly or send it to a health care provider. Results can be viewed on any device with an Internet connection. Most insulin pumps are limited by elaborate tubing and the fact that they cant get wet. The OmniPod solves both problems with a wireless pump and hand-held control pod. The pump, which can be worn up to three days, Continue reading >>
Sony Links Up With Ericsson And Altair Semiconductor On Diabetes Monitoring Wristband
Sony links up with Ericsson and Altair Semiconductor on diabetes monitoring wristband Essential reading: Smart glucometres high tech options for monitoring your blood sugar According to a press release , the yet unnamed device connects via Bluetooth to a Senseonics smart transmitter for continuous glucose monitoring. The gizmo doubles up as a fitness tracker and will display infoonblood sugar levels, activity, sleep and heart rate. It will also alert the user should their glucose levels drop.The band will not need to be connected to a smartphone to receive cellular coverage thanks to Altairs ALT1210 LTE-M/Cat-M1 chipset. The wristband prototype is one proof of concept for health services with the potential to significantly improve quality of life, said Izumi Kawanishi, Director, EVP, Product Business Group, Sony Mobile Communications Inc. We selected Altairs ALT1210 chipset as it offers unparalleled low power consumption and cost efficiency, while its reduced size is essential for integration in the wristband form factor. No images of the device have been released, but a prototype will be demoed at the upcoming Mobile World Congress from 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona.The band has been designed to work with the Sony cloud solution and its Xperia smartphone line. Continue reading >>
Artificial Pancreases Set To Make Living With Diabetes Easier By 2018
Sufferers of type 1 diabetes are required to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels and administer insulin as needed. But the daily hassle of self-care for patients could soon be reduced, with a new study concluding that automated "artificial pancreas" systems could be available in as little as two years. The study, authored by Doctors Roman Hovorka and Hood Thabit of Cambridge University, reviews the overall progress of technology in these automated systems, including the bionic pancreas being developed by Boston University scientists. Currently, treatment for type 1 diabetes generally requires two separate processes. Patients need to manually monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day with a fingerstick blood test, and if readings are high they may need to use an insulin pump. These pumps are automated devices which clip to clothing and administer a base-line level of insulin through a catheter under the skin, with patients manually telling the pump to inject additional doses when they eat. The artificial pancreas combines those two separate processes into one "closed-loop" system. A needle under the skin continuously monitors blood glucose levels and automatically administers insulin as required, removing the burden of patient self-care and ensuring a more consistent glucose level than current pumps. Automating those functions also helps overcome another disadvantage of pumps that rely on a longer-acting basal insulin: a patient's insulin requirements can vary significantly day-to-day, and different people will have different needs. Depending on diet and physical activity, among other factors, a patient might only use one third of their normal requirement one day, and up to three times more than normal the next. An artificial pancreas will read tho Continue reading >>
