Diabetes Goes High-Tech

For the techno geeks and wizards out there, here’s what is going on in high-tech gadgets for diabetes care.

• Friday Diabetes News mentioned the glucose monitoring car of the future introduced by Medtronics. The M Concept car is a Lincoln sedan that uses wireless technology to monitor a patient’s blood glucose level through the car’s dashboard. Using BlueTooth technology the system alerts the driver of blood glucose problems with audio and visual signals. Medtronics plans to also launch a vehicle system which will dial for medical assistance if the driver does not respond to alerts or when abnormal glucose levels are generated.

• The PressureStat, by FootLogic, is a device that measures diabetic foot neuropathy potential through a pressure sensitive card. The card is covered with a film that presents an exact replica of the patient’s footprint. By identifying pressure areas physicians are able to do preventative education evaluating patients and monitoring them for tissue injury risk potential.

• The Electronic Pillbox. There are a variety of these devices, from a simple programmable system to a box that interfaces with your phone line and connects to a webpage which holds your information to program the box. Additionally the pillboxes provide audio and visual alarms to be sure the right medication is taken at the right time. Electronic pillboxes currently available include: The MD .2 Personal Medication System, MedCenter Monthly Medication Dispenser, and MedSignals.

• Virtual Health Monitoring. Several virtual health monitoring programs are already in use. VitalSignals works in conjunction with the MedSignals electronic pillbox. A patient bio monitoring device that launched with a blood pressure monitor and utilizes BlueTooth technology sending readings online to patient caregivers. VitalSignals will be adding glucose monitoring, weight measurements and a pedometer. Besides their usefulness for diabetics, virtual monitoring works in conjunction with other home monitoring sensors to keep the elderly population safe and compliant in their homes. See this great New York Times article, High Tech Devices Keep Elderly Safe From Afar, for more information.