Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Cos target device's wireless monitoring of diabetes mellitus

Do you want to monitor your blood sugar from the blood on an iPhone? It may soon be a job for him.

Companies ranging from chip maker Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) and medical-device giant Medtronic Inc. (MDT) see an opportunity to provide wireless connectivity to medical devices like blood glucose monitors and send that information to doctors, hospitals or smartphones such as Apple Inc. 's (AAPL) iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.' s (RIMM) BlackBerry.

"We are absolutely moving in that direction," said Christopher O'Connell, group president for diabetes and other franchise arrangement with Medtronic.
Medicine is an attractive sector for technology companies in the market estimates for wireless transmission of health information can reach nearly $ 1 billion over the next five years, ABI Research analyst Stan Schatt. Diabetes is particularly attractive because it is a growing problem, which is already 7.8% of the U.S. population, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Besides glucose readings on most smartphones, future innovations may be a Bluetooth connection for glucose monitors and mobile chips inside these devices include the information directly to doctors and hospitals to relay. Technical challenges remain, however, as questions about government control as possible, and if all this will be useful for patients.

"Many companies peddling technology for technology," said Anand Iyer, President and COO closely held WellDoc Communications Inc., a range of wireless medical devices developed. "That will not work."

O'Connell said Medtronic Diabetes information on consumer electronics is an innovative patient is desired, and there are potential advantages when it comes to managing the disease. "It's really what the user data over networks and allows other," said O'Connell. In general, diabetics test their blood glucose by finger stick meters occasional testing in general, you will read in pharmacies. But Medtronic and two other companies - DEXCOM Inc. (DXCM) and sell Abbott Laboratories (ABT) - the so called "monitors glucose continuously" in the United States involving patients wear small sensors to continuously monitor blood glucose .

Medtronic, the largest seller of such equipment, integrating it with insulin pumps, which display the readings of blood glucose. This information could be used with smartphones and other devices. Promotional material Medtronic, for example, stipulates that people read their blood glucose blood on a BlackBerry or a dashboard-mounted screen.

O'Connell describes these efforts as "exploratory discussions", and while he said Medtronic is in talks with many companies, he refused to say who they are. The company currently works only for product development with systems outside of the standard equipment properly basic, but sees potential for partnerships, "he said.

DEXCOM also examines the data more blood sugar to mobile phones, "said Steve Pacelli as Chief Administrative Officer enterprises. "I would say a very active program here," he said.

Among the technical barriers is always a Bluetooth transmitter on the sensor of glucose in the blood, which is enough electricity without sensors larger and therefore less attractive to patients, "said Pacelli. Qualcomm and its partners are also exploring adding a Bluetooth connection to monitors blood sugar, the link in the phones.

Meanwhile WellDoc working on a number of options for treating diabetes and related services. They include a simple alert which can be downloaded on mobile phones and a more ambitious agenda that has to do and dietary advice.

Down the line, companies like Qualcomm chips in search of cell count in blood sugar, and they create a potential full-time data with doctors and hospitals. Sensors could be used to monitor, even if a patient is low on insulin and test strips or automatically at a mine. In addition, players craft with the idea of building a counter directly into a phone.

"After the man is the diary of health professionals want to develop something, but people know not reliable," said Don Jones, Vice President of Business Development for Qualcomm's health and life sciences. "The procedure Test May start automatically. "

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