The iOS compatible iBGStar meter has arrived

Sanofi-aventis has been out in front in terms of their connection with the diabetes online community for some time now. From the DiabetesMine Design Challenge to their human presence on twitter, Sanofi is continually showing us that they are committed to being a positive part of the community.

Today with the announcement of the iBGStar blood glucose meter they've brought the first iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch compatible meter to market. Is that exciting? Damn right it is but not completely for the reasons that you may think.

I haven't used or touched the iBGStar yet so I can't tell you the first thing about how well it works but I do know two things; I believe that Sanofi is committed to helping the DOC and they would be foolish to introduce this meter before it was ready for prime time. I expect that when I do have the chance to see the meter in person, I'll be impressed.

So if I haven't used it... why I'm I writing about it?

Simple... What Sanofi has done today is bigger then a meter, what they've done is throw down the gauntlet. Much like when Apple first introduced the iPhone, the release of this product says, "no more clunky technology that looks like it's from a 1976 sci-fi movie". Prior to the iPhone our cell phones were terrible and why were they? Because the companies that manufactured them had no reason to do anything about it. We were all using our flip phones and no one was complaining. That of course didn't mean that it wasn't possible to make something better, just that it didn't make sense for the companies to put the time, money or effort into making them better. That business model worked just fine and would still be in use today if Apple didn't raise the bar.

In my mind that's what Sanofi did today, they raised the bar. In the short-term that means there is a new meter on the market that fits better into our new iPhone lives. In the long-term, well, that's where we all benefit. I'd bet that right now there are meetings going on at every device manufacturer in the country and they are all wondering what they need to do to keep up... and that's great news for all of us that live with diabetes.

If you want to read a hands-on account of the iBGStar, there are probably plenty but I'd start with Allison's over at DiabetesMine. When you finish reading her write up you'll see the names of some other great D-bloggers that were at a launch event yesterday and I bet they will have their thoughts online very soon.

If you think back to what the first smartphone looked like or even consider how much the iPhone has changed since it's launch, then you'll be as excited as I am to wonder what blood glucose testing will look like in just a few years. It's my contention that none of these advancements happen until someone goes first. So for that alone... I say, "thank you" Sanofi!

Brown University Study: Biochip measures glucose in saliva, not blood

Researchers at Brown University have developed technology that can measure glucose in human saliva.

Engineers at Brown University have designed a biological device that can measure glucose concentrations in human saliva. The technique could eliminate the need for diabetics to draw blood to check their glucose levels. The biochip uses plasmonic interferometers and could be used to measure a range of biological and environmental substances.

Read the entire article at this link, it's facinating!

Tripping the light fantastic Each plasmonic interferometer – thousands of them per square millimeter – consists of a slit flanked by two grooves etched in a silver metal film. The schematic shows glucose molecules “dancing” on the sensor surface illuminated by light with different colors. Changes in light intensity transmitted through the slit of each plasmonic interferometer yield information about the concentration of glucose molecules in solution.Credit: Domenico Pacifici 

It's that time of year, here come the sick days.

There are just some things that you don't expect when you prepare yourself for parenthood. One of the things that I didn't imagine was being peed on more times then I can count. I guess had I thought it through I may have expected a little pee at the changing table or in the doctor's office. That said, I never imagined how many times I'd be hit collecting a urine sample and I'm talking about pre-diabetes. There was a time when he was about three that I believed my son was trying to pee on my hand. And Arden, oh Arden is the biggest offender as she quite likes to break out into uproarious laughter as I'm bent over collecting the sample during her yearly well visit.

When I realized that checking ketones was a part of diabetes management my first thought was, "great, more to do and learn" but my second thought was, "well at least I don't mind getting peed on anymore".

Today through social media, this time FaceBook, I had a conversation with a mother of a newly diagnosed child who is experiencing their first illness as a type I diabetic. She is understandabley concerned and wanting to make these next few days as stable and simple as she can. I without hesitation recommended that she get a Blood Ketone Meter, we use the Precision Xtra from Abbott.

This meter is fast and accurate when checking ketones, it does require a large drop of blood but nothing that a little extra squeezing can't provide. It's a real lifesaver during sick days and any other times that you require a ketone check. I highly recommend asking your endo to write you a script for one. We actually have two, one at school and one here at home. I can't specifically speak to the pricing as our insurance covers Arden's, however I have seen it online for less then twenty dollars... a small price to pay to avoid getting peed on IMO. Please note that I have never used it as a blood glucose meter and can't speak to it's reliability on that front.

When you have diabetes this time of year is a stressful one. I know that I feel like I'm holding my breath, hoping that Arden doesn't get a cold or worse. There is much that you can do to prevent the spread of germs, hand washing being just one but getting sick is inevitable and being prepared does make the process go smoother. If this meter sits in a drawer 360 days a year it is still well worth having for the other 5.

May you and your children be healthy and germ free this season!

Please know that I have never taken money, products or any other considerations for the product reviews found on Arden's Day. Also consider that I am not a doctor and am just passing on good information from my perspective. Always speak with a health care professional before making changes to a care plan.

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Sanofi U.S. announcement: iBGStar Glucose Monitor received FDA clearance

Press release snippet:

December 7, 2011 - Sanofi U.S., together with its partner AgaMatrix, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) premarket clearance for the iBGStar™ Blood Glucose Monitoring System, the first and only FDA cleared blood glucose meter that directly connects to the Apple® iPhone® and iPod touch®, seamlessly integrating accurate blood glucose monitoring into the lifestyles of people with diabetes. The iBGStar™ is already available in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.

The compact iBGStar™ glucose meter, when plugged directly into the iPhone® or iPod® touch, quickly displays results immediately after testing on the full-color touch screen via the iBGStar™ Diabetes Manager App. iBGStar™ also can be used alone to measure blood glucose levels and results can be synchronized to an iPhone® or iPod® touch at a later time.

The iBGStar™ Diabetes Manager App has a range of features that allow users multiple ways to analyze their glucose patterns over time. Patients can record and track readings, carbohydrate intake and insulin doses if taking insulin. Scorecards show individual test results and are color coded so that high and low blood glucose results can be more easily identified. The ‘Share’ function enables users to select specific data to send as an e-mail to their healthcare professional. The application can be downloaded for free from the App Store.

The entire press release from Sanofi can be found att his link.

I've never used this device but I think that it's FDA approval is a fantastic sign for things to come. We are an iPhone family and Arden's meter is contained in her OmniPod PDM. We do however carry another meter with us and I must say that my interest is peaked. I hope that the iBGStar's FDA clearance marks the beginning of us being able to more easily keep track of BG data on the devices that many of us carry everyday. Currently, tracking and managing BG data is far too difficult. Perhaps other manufactures will take note and find a user friendly way of incorporating their products with today's technology. I think that it's imperitive that we all keep up with the changing state of diabetes care!

Do you think that having iPhone integration and the ability to easily track and share your BG history will tempt you to switch from the meter that you currently use to manage your type I diabetes?

You can learn more about the iBGStar at - http://www.ibgstar.us/