Here are the normal glucose levels for people without diabetes:
Before breakfast: 70-110
Before lunch, supper, and bedtime snack: 70-120
One hour after meals: 140 or less
Two hours after meals: 120 or less
December 14, 2009
Blood Pressure terms
Ideal for a normal adult:
120/80 mm Hg = SYS/DIA mmHg
Systolic Pressure (SYS) is the squeezing of the ventricles as they push blood out of the heart and along the arteries to either the body or the lungs.
Diastolic Pressure (DIA) is when the heart is at its most relaxed after the Systolic squeezing.
December 10, 2009
Roche Accu-Check® Smart Pix Device Reader
“The Accu-Chek Smart Pix Glucose Device Reader is now certified by Continua to download valuable information from your Accu-Chek brand blood glucose meter and then transmit the data. The blood glucose data is transmitted according to a Continua standardized and certified protocol over USB. The Continua certified version of Accu-Chek Smart Pix is not yet launched in the USA; stay tuned.”
Can you say emerging market?
December 10, 2009
Sidetrack a bit
Understanding the importance of regular blood sugar and blood pressure testing makes or breaks my concept.
The software part of my product will include the health and safety benefits regarding this. Another feature will include an easy explanation to the results from each test, what these results mean in regards to health, a glossary for important terms, and links to credible websites for more information.
I’m finding that there’s more and more to add to the interface, and less dealing with intelligent networks. I hope that’s okay, I don’t know how involved we have to be with these networks, but I believe that as long as I present a strong case and need then Axis may be interested in going forward in this direction.
December 6, 2009
blood glucose
5 steps to test your blood glucose intake
This really breaks it down as simply as possible, although checking blood sugar levels isn’t exactly hard. I brought it to 3 steps which I’m illustrating currently. I’m not sure but there may be some type of control solution that is needed for the strips, although I don’t know if this is necessary in all models. I’ll ask my dad what his process is. Luckily the actual glucose reader is not very big and I think can very easily be integrated into a single device that also checks for blood pressure.
Apparently there are a lot of different types of lancet devices out there, but I’ve found 2 major trends (for finger penetration; for the sake of simplicity I am excluding other types such as forearm, foot, or other random body part):
The first takes the shape of a stylus in which the lancet is replaced (sometimes manually). These often include a cap that also serves as a button to trigger a spring action for the lancet to puncture the skin. Some offer adjustable tissue penetration depths.
stylus lancet device
The second style is smaller and takes on a more 2-dimensional extruded form. They (from what I can tell) are less popular and do not often include a lancet ejection mechanism. This also uses a button release system for the lancet to do its business.
stumpy lancet device
I’ve noticed that 1997 was a good year for these products, but there doesn’t seem to be much design in them lately. Again this is a good opportunity to ask my dad which device he uses and how well it works for him.
December 2, 2009
Blood Pressure monitors
Apparently you can pick up a relatively cheap blood pressure device (sphygmomanometer) at your local Walmart.
Checking your blood pressure at home
I have a feeling this too, would be integrated into my product.
So far it’s looking like my product will have different attachments and a monitor with input system implemented.
This is a good article about the various qualities store-bought and at-home blood sugar and pressure monitors can be. Good to keep that in mind.
December 2, 2009
Blood Sugar Levels testing
It appears that the traditional pricking of the finger with a lancet, extracting the blood, and then placing said blood on a test strip (which then feeds into a meter) would work best for my concept.
As far as the lancet or other piercing-type device, there seem to be 2 varietties: professional multi-use and single-use which are thrown away after 1st use. The former is more economical, the latter prevents cross-contamination.
As for the meter measuring device, there are many different types currently in existence, each with their own special features. I would probably include the meter into my ‘device’ that sends information back to the hospital.
December 1, 2009
studio project in sweden
“New technology is helping elderly patients and those with chronic diseases monitor their condition from the comfort of home.”
This is just about the only article I’ve found on my initial search for at home doctor check up systems. It’s pretty much my project only the point of my focus is to target families instead of the elderly. I want people to take their health into their own responsibility as well as give more informative and less stressful yearly doctor visits.
There are 3 different ‘check-ups’ in my (and the current) system: weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
These would be updated by the user (patient) into a device that would then send the information via internet (or other service layer) to a central unit, a database system in the registered hospital. Each user patient would have a specific identification code so when their information is sent to the hospital, that user’s file is updated (intelligent network). This allows doctors to see trends (such as rapid weight gain which could be a sign of heart failure) when periodically checking patients’ files. As each person has their own ID code, families can use the same device for their whole family. The ID feature also permits patients to give themselves check-ups from other devices, such as at a friend’s or while traveling (these could be implemented in hotels). An additional hospital code number would be needed to ensure the information is sent to the right place.
Of course age, sex, family history of illnesses, etc. would already be filed at the hospital.
This system does not substitute for an annual doctor’s visit. It gives the hospital additional information throughout the year so that 1] if there is an issue that arose before the scheduled visit the patient can be notified to come in sooner (to catch symptoms early) and 2] the doctor’s visit is concise and informative.
Thus, my proposed system is not intended for daily use, more of on a monthly basis. The device-updater would have reminder notifications that can be e-mailed to the patient or even an alarm system on the device itself when the time comes near.
Ideally, it would promote better doctor-patient communication as well as make the patient more informed about their health.
That’s it so far. Thoughts?
April 20, 2009
err..
Redoing my and Brittany’s model.
Gonna buy new materials and everything. Then paint it.
I should probably tell Brittany about this…don’tcha think?
