HealthPia's GlucoPhone gets FDA approval

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 11th 2007 at 2:10AM

While the idea of a diabetes phone is far from new, a company dubbed HealthPia is well on its way to actually delivering such a product. Reportedly, the firm has "obtained FDA approval for its patent-pending technology that integrates a blood glucose meter with a standard-issue cellphone." Interestingly, it not only allows you to send results over the air, but specially equipped mobiles will actually be fitted with a GlucoPack that enables you to test yourself as you would with any other (more traditional) meter. During last week's AADE conference, the company supposedly announced that Verizon's LG5200 would be the first to sport such technology, and for those who think this could make their lives a whole lot easier, grab your specs and hit the read link for more.

[Thanks, Clement S.]

Filed under: Cellphones

Tags: diabetes, glucophone, health, healthpia, lg5200, medical

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

Megan @ Aug 11th 2007 4:10AM

I think this is actually a really good idea. I know quite a few people who could benefit from this. My grandfather in particular, who travels alot with a cell phone, but forgets his meter. Or a teenagers who tend not to remember to bring their meters places.

Neutral

sl @ Aug 11th 2007 11:19AM

So where the lancet, needles for the lancet, the test strips, tissue paper are being carried? Inside the phone?

The main problem with glucose meters is to carry the test strips which are very sensitive to temperature.

Neutral

John @ Aug 11th 2007 1:24PM

In other news, cellphone stabbings have increased 500% since 2006. Man found guilty of passing HIV to unsuspecting woman on subway train through cellphone.

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Philometalist @ Aug 11th 2007 2:34PM

I have the LG5200, nice to see a useful tool like this being fitted to such a mainstream phone... I won't hold my breath but this may actually help quite a few people.

Neutral

Brent Gaskey @ Aug 11th 2007 2:57PM

It seems like a SD card BG reader and a simple program would be a better choice. That way you could is it in whatever device you wanted, not just the cell phone.

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ssuk @ Aug 11th 2007 5:18PM

How old is that phone pictured there... I had a phone like that about 5 years ago...

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Mike @ Aug 11th 2007 8:29PM

whats next, a cell phone with pregnancy testing abilities. Its a cell phone.

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Kevin @ Aug 13th 2007 9:28PM

I like Brent's idea - very versatile and a universal approach that still allows people to fall in love with a new phone every 12 months or sooner.

There was also a piece on Engadget a couple of years ago regarding the GlucoMON(R) by my company; Diabetech(R) (http://diabetech.net/glucomon.html). This device is supported by wireless data service provider infrastructure and a clinical decision support platform to support turn-key clinical trials through our healthcordia affiliate (http://healthcordia.com). This system has been extensively field tested also as part of comprehensive diabetes programs since 2002.

It's exciting to see progress being made in this field toward commercialization of new diabetes technology with better outcomes for more people.

It is also true what sl says above regarding the logistics of carrying the necessary supplies. As my daughter says, "Build me the 'Scan-O-Meter' Dad". I wish it were that easy.

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