I've been doing a bit of reading about what is due to arrive relatively soon on the Diabetic Technology front. There are some interesting innovations out there. But what do they mean for the management of Type 1 diabetes?
The Bionic Pancreas Project is very, very interesting, especially as it uses both Insulin and Glucagon to manage the body's glucose levels, so even though closed loop, in theory it should allow proper regulation. The clinical trials that have been undertaken so far all look very promising. http://www.bionicpancreas.org/
For the nearer term, Common Sensing's replacement pen cap that tracks insulin usage and bluetooth's it to a phone looks like it should be paired with an app on the phone that reads the Libre sensor to give you an automated match up between insulin injections and glucose tracking - a lot easier than remembering to enter details into the separate device. I think this could be profoundly interesting for both physicians and diabetics. http://www.common-sensing.com/#product
The Medtronic pen injection device also looks good. I think the iPort allows you to use your pen more like a pump, with multiple regular shots throughout the day, safe in the knowledge that you are not breaking the skin constantly and increasing lipotrophy risks and can instead give yourself a lower, more constant dosage. Start to really think like a pancreas on MDI! Instead of running a basal insulin through the day, give yourself multiple fast acting shots then a single basal overnight. Truly flexible, but some might find it a pain. http://www.i-port.com/i-port-advance.html
Monitoring - well the Libre is here, but what are other companies going to come out with? There is at least one user on here who is associated with something interesting in this realm, and I for one am intrigued, given how useful (in spite of its issues) the Libre is.
Finally, the pump space - apparently some interesting new developments on the pump front later in the year, although for the life of me I can't find out what they are! Anyone know?
What are your thoughts on some of the advances that are supposed to be coming?
The Bionic Pancreas Project is very, very interesting, especially as it uses both Insulin and Glucagon to manage the body's glucose levels, so even though closed loop, in theory it should allow proper regulation. The clinical trials that have been undertaken so far all look very promising. http://www.bionicpancreas.org/
For the nearer term, Common Sensing's replacement pen cap that tracks insulin usage and bluetooth's it to a phone looks like it should be paired with an app on the phone that reads the Libre sensor to give you an automated match up between insulin injections and glucose tracking - a lot easier than remembering to enter details into the separate device. I think this could be profoundly interesting for both physicians and diabetics. http://www.common-sensing.com/#product
The Medtronic pen injection device also looks good. I think the iPort allows you to use your pen more like a pump, with multiple regular shots throughout the day, safe in the knowledge that you are not breaking the skin constantly and increasing lipotrophy risks and can instead give yourself a lower, more constant dosage. Start to really think like a pancreas on MDI! Instead of running a basal insulin through the day, give yourself multiple fast acting shots then a single basal overnight. Truly flexible, but some might find it a pain. http://www.i-port.com/i-port-advance.html
Monitoring - well the Libre is here, but what are other companies going to come out with? There is at least one user on here who is associated with something interesting in this realm, and I for one am intrigued, given how useful (in spite of its issues) the Libre is.
Finally, the pump space - apparently some interesting new developments on the pump front later in the year, although for the life of me I can't find out what they are! Anyone know?
What are your thoughts on some of the advances that are supposed to be coming?