TRENDING IN 2015: SMART DIABETES SOLUTIONS

Kicking-off the first of our ‘Trending in 2015′ articles, we take a look at some smart health solutions that address a variety of common global illnesses. These designs not only improve our level of health care, but move us forward dramatically in our capabilities of fast and accurate self-diagnosis and treatment.

Monitoring your health has never been easier thanks to thousands of smart solutions meticulously designed and developed every day. While many of us go through life without experiencing chronic illness, conditions like diabetes affect a significant portion of our population. According to the International Diabetes Federation, one in 10 adults will have diabetes by 2030. But the good news is that designers are responding to this problem – helping to improve global health one solution at a time.

Monitoring glucose levels is a basic and highly important part of daily life for diabetics, thus having a quick and easy solution is essential. Utilising new capabilities in iPhone diagnostics, the iHealth Align is the world’s smallest, most portable glucometer. Designed by iHealth Labs, the smart device can be plugged directly into your smartphone and display results instantly via the Gluco-Smart  app. The app then works as your automatic logbook and can set-up reminders for medication, plus record pre/post meals or fasting and insulin dosages.

Taking smart monitoring one step further, the Symphony® CGM System is a needle free monitoring solution by Echo Therapeutics. The system incorporates a skin permeation device, a transdermal sensor, wireless transceiver and data display technologies – all designed to provide reliable and continuous blood glucose data. The Symphony uses a biosensor placed on the skin, and after a brief warm-up period, the device wirelessly provides the patient’s glucose level every minute to a remote monitor. The monitor then tracks the glucose levels and rate of glucose changes and provides visual and audible alarms if the patient’s glucose levels move outside the target range.

For children being a diabetic can be extremely stressful, particularly with the use of needles, tests and other complex gadgets. But the Diabetic Temporary Tattoo designed by Amay Bandodkar is a significantly less invasive technique, making management and treatment much more comfortable. The disposable temporary tattoo monitors blood glucose levels and avoids the need for the usual daily finger prick tests. Utilising miniature technology, the tattoo consists of a pair of precisely patterned electrodes and when applied to the skin, distribute a very mild electrical current. This process enables tiny sensors on the tattoo to detect glucose levels and output the data.

Aside from fluctuating blood glucose levels, those with diabetes also have a much higher likelihood to suffer from an array of foot problems -primarily due to disrupted blood flow. Designed by Lilach Steiner, the Flow shoe is designed to improve circulation by utilising bodyweight to create a unique massage effect. Upon impact with the ground, ridges inside the shoe apply pressure to the foot stimulating increased blood flow. As a medical wearable, Flow provides the benefits of other blood circulation devices in an automatic, consistent and simple way.

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