I haven't written a blog post for a while due to extreme work pressures. I've had many ideas for a post, but no time to do so.
I received an invitation from David and Elizabeth Edelman of Diabetes Daily to start a blog over there. This seemed like a great opportunity, so I've accepted. For now, I'll post in both places with different articles and topics. Eventually I'll have to decide how best to handle it.
I'm extremely happy to be joining David, Elizabeth and Amylia on the Diabetes Daily team and I look forward to writing more about diabetes technology and challenges.
The picture shows an already available chip that's about the size of a grain of rice and that contains some patient identification information. There are no details about the size of the planned glucose sensor device, but the company claims
"This system will allow for one injection every 4-6 months (approximate) that permits the diabetic to externally scan the device and retrieve a blood sugar reading as often as necessary."
Today Technology Review has an article about a Massachusetts company that's also working on implantable devices. MicroCHIPS is working on a device for osteoporosis treatment that provides daily delivery of a drug for treating that condition.
They are also working on an implantable glucose sensing device that contains an array of individual sensors. So when one sensor degrades, the device can turn a new one on and continue monitoring. The device will transmit the readings to an external monitor. The article claims that this information could be sent to an insulin pump.
My guess is that either of these devices are several years away. And when available not everyone will be comfortable with the idea of implanting something. For example what happens with MRIs or when passing through X-ray systems at airports?
So there's a need for education that covers the benefits and the likely issues with this type of device. Maybe these companies can look at how pacemaker companies have succeeded in getting their devices accepted.
"Medingo is developing a disposable insulin pump that is significantly smaller than the leading pumps on the market. In contrast to current pumps, it resembles a patch rather than a pacemaker. The product has one main competitor, Insulet Inc. (Nasdaq:PODD). Insulet broke through the market for us, and we believe that we have the better product. It's half the volume, and discrete, so it can be worn even with a close-fitting shirt. We also think that the user interface is better."
Just a quick note. My local newspaper the Lowell Sun published an article about my bike ride on Sunday. If you'd like to read it, it's available on the web, and I also scanned it in. And I'm still taking donations for the ride. ;-)
Update: I forgot to point out that my good friend Manny, who is the mover and shaker behind TuDiabetes.com, did all the heavy lifting on this article. He sent out a press release to several local papers for me and generated the interest that led to the article. Thanks Manny, you're a star.
In a strange and somewhat sad coincidence the facing page has an obituary for a 29-year old who died from diabetes complications. I think folks without diabetes don't realize this happens.
This Monday at 1:30 PM (PDT) Dexcom management will be having a conference call to discuss the approval and launch of the Dexcom SEVEN CGMS. Hopefully this will answer some of the questions raised during the earlier announcement about the FDA approval for this system.
The number and codes have changed for this call. The new numbers are given below.
The number for the call is (866) 290-0920 (US/Canada) or (913) 312-6670 (International). And the participant code is "7146581". You should dial in about 1:25 PM (PDT). This seems to be a listen-only line. Does anyone know what number to call so you can ask questions?
The conference call will also be webcast. You can find the link to the webcast on the Dexcom webcast page. You can go there today and pre-register for this call.
I'd like to know the answers to the following questions:
When will the Dexcom SEVEN system be available to consumers?
Will the new software be available on the same date? If not, when will the software ship?
What's the pricing for the system and sensors?
What's the upgrade pricing for the new system?
I hear the transmitter and sensors are waterproof. Is the receiver also waterproof?
I'd like more details about the software. Does it provide statistics, including the the average, and standard deviation for blood glucose values? Does is allow access to the data?
If this is such great news, how come the stock price is still depressed?
I'll be camping at the time. So I'll wait and listen to the archive later in the week.
The updated Dexcom press release doesn't give much more details than I reproduced here.
What questions would you ask Dexcom, if you could? Perhaps you'd like to e-mail them to Jessica Ching, Marketing VP for Dexcom. Her e-mail address is jching@dexcom.com.
Note: I currently own some shares in Dexcom, I work not to let this ownership influence what I say about the company or its products.
I've been doing prototype development with Flex for about six weeks now, and it's really an awesome tool for putting together polished, rich demos and applications. I'm still climbing the learning curve, and really enjoying it.
I think this is going to be an interesting challenge to Microsoft's recent announcement about Silverlight. After all, I can't see them open sourcing Visual Studio or any part of their stack like this.
The Diabetes Technology Blog is focused on using technology to life better with diabetes. I review: blood glucose monitors; continuous glucose monitor; blood sugar meters; diabetes software and living with diabetes.
About Me
Name: Bernard Farrell
Location: Massachusetts, United States
I was born in Ireland and now live in the US.
I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 35 years. I struggle with my blood sugar, the same as most people with diabetes.
I wear a Cozmo 1800 insulin pump and a Dexcom SEVEN CGM to track my blood glucose levels. I also take Symlin to help control my post-meal blood sugars.
I'm blessed by God, and every day brings the possibility of a cure.
