14 DAY TRIAL // The fact that mobile phones are devices that people can easily carry around anywhere with the littlest effort makes them excellent for combining with other functions. FDA has just given its approval for the VX-5200 GlucoPhone model from HealthPia.
The handset manages to pack one feature more important than a high resolution camera or GPS connectivity. Some people will find its blood glucose meter to be the most important feature and compensate even for a bulky design or small display.
The meter is placed on the back of the phone. The test strip must be stuck into a little slot on the side of the phone and one has to bleed on it. This process follows the same steps even in the case of regular blood glucose measuring, although now the main advantage is that the user has it at a close reach, without having to worry about carrying a separate device for this.
The user can immediately send his results through a text message to an online database. The first such device launched by HealthPia is LG5200 and has made little fuss. The main feature that producers have looked to bring for this handset's users has been that of usability. Making it easy for people to handle their diabetes is the main reason that this product has been developed.
Regular glucose meters are even bulkier than this mobile phone coming from HealthPia. The reason for this is that the handset takes over most of the functions that the other device used to pack. Moreover, the hardware is capable of fitting into many standards mobile phones out there, which gives it an increased potential for further deployment. For this to happen, the producer would have to negotiate with every handset producer, which might prove to be tedious.
The GlucoPhone is already available for purchase on the market, as an elegant and practical alternative to regular glucose meters. It is available at an introductory rate of USD 150 and an extra USD 20 for each vial of 50 test strips.