Dual: BG Tester and Insulin Delivery Device

Type 1 Diabetes affects 26,000 New Zealanders. T1 Diabetics require blood glucose (BG) monitors and insulin delivery devices for daily use. T2 diabetics, who are far more common, rarely require insulin and need to test their BG infrequently. Consequently, there is no consolidated (insulin and BG) device that does not impose constant subcutaneous attachment to the user's body, forcing T1 Diabetics to carry multiple devices. Furthermore, BG monitors are cumbersome and poorly designed for frequent use. Testing less often as a result of inconvenient equipment is a well-documented problem, and can lead to serious health complications.

Dual simplifies and streamlines the management of T1 Diabetes. Designed to fit into daily life, Dual provides users with a modern and unified alternative to standard BG readers and insulin devices. Dual allows users to test their BG in one simple motion (lancing and blood collection combined), enter their carbohydrate intake, review the device's calculations, and inject the insulin. All of the data is sent via Bluetooth to a mobile app, allowing the user to review their management history and daily patterns. Furthermore, a case allows users to go for extended period of time without loose equipment and unneeded packaging.

As a Type 1 Diabetic myself, I have designed Dual to resolve all of the pain points I have encountered over the last 14 years. Dual has been designed to fit into everyday life, providing T1 Diabetics with the freedoms afforded by detached devices (insulin pens, BG testing kits), and the benefits of automation (cgm, insulin pumps). Dual allows T1 Diabetics to live with less equipment, fewer complications, and more control. Dual would significantly improve the lives of T1 diabetics, as simplistic and convenient devices lead to better health outcomes.

In extension, many new devices at the forefront of T1 Diabetes management require constant attachment to the user's body, which is expensive and precarious, as these devices can easily be knocked off, rendering them temporarily useless. The simple combination of the two devices T1 Diabetics need offers more than just convenience; with all of the insulin deliveries and BG readings captured by one device, users are able to view complete history. This would help immeasurably with recognising problem areas and fine-tuning daily management. This data would be stored on the app, which would also provide smart analyses of daily and weekly patterns, furthering the benefit. The only device currently available with this advantage is constantly attached to the user subcutaneously. I use this device, but having two needles in me at all times presents disadvantages.