Top 4 Medical Devices That Aid in Diabetes Care

MedTech Outlook | Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Medical devices help patients to monitor diabetes and stay connected with doctors for immediate help.

Fremont, CA: Diabetes has been a long-term health problem since the dawn of time, and with no solution in sight, patients struggling with diabetes must rely on a variety of medical equipment as well as lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. The medical device and healthcare industries want to create an ecosystem through technology that allows people to manage their diabetes and receive feedback from doctors remotely, saving money and time.

Here are six medical devices that can help patients manage diabetes:

Ketone monitor

For diabetics, ketones, which are molecules produced in the liver and used for energy instead of carbohydrates, can signal that the disease isn't adequately managed by insulin. Overproduction of ketones can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that can lead to diabetic coma or death. Ketone monitoring gadgets are available to help patients track their production and better understand how they're managing their disease.

Blood glucose monitor

Doctors use an HbA1c test to determine patients' average blood sugar level over a period of 6 to 12 weeks; patients are also recommended to use a blood glucose monitor between appointments. These devices usually require a blood sample taken using a fingerprick tool included with the device and provide a near-instant glucose reading, providing patients with a sense of how effectively they're managing their diabetes.

Smart diabetes pen

A pump is an alternative for people with type 1 diabetes to replace insulin pens, which were the standard way of insulin delivery before the electronic device was invented. On the other hand, insulin pens are no longer the same as they were even a decade ago, thanks to built-in wireless connectivity and sensors that allow patients to track insulin delivery. Smart insulin pens connect to a smartphone app that allows users to enter their most recent blood glucose level and receive an instant prediction of the exact insulin dosage.

Diabetes management apps

The necessity to mould patients' behavior around the condition has produced a profusion of smartphone applications to assist with the process, many of which may interact with one another to use data from other devices, all of which are available at various pricing points. OneDrop is a famous example of a diabetes management app since its subscription-based service includes a Bluetooth glucose monitor, incorporates diet and exercise in its toolkit, and provides consumers with one-on-one access to experts if they require additional help.