“Medical-device maker DexCom Inc. is designing an app that will display readings from its diabetes glucose monitor on Apple Inc. ’s smartwatch, giving the watch an early foothold in the health-care market at a time when regulatory treatment of such systems has eased,” Kate Linebaugh reports for The Wall Street Journal.
“DexCom’s glucose monitor tracks a person’s blood-sugar levels continuously,” Linebaugh reports. “The company has shown a picture of the app, which converts that data into a simple graph that is just a glance at the wrist away. It says the app is expected to be ready when the Apple Watch is launched in April.”
“The DexCom monitor uses a hair’s-width sensor under the skin to measure blood glucose levels every five minutes,” Linebaugh reports. “DexCom still needs to make sure its Apple Watch app complies with FDA rules. But thanks to the rule change, it doesn’t need to get approval before bringing the app to market.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Attribution: 9to5Mac. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
One false reading and….let the lawsuits begin.
Why the down votes? That’s exactly what would happen.
The iWatch won’t give false readings. Its just a display showing data the Dexcom App algorithm has spit out. (Im a current Dexcom user and even with their new app, they will ship a separate receiver to use in case of backup)
You are completely correct. Here in the good ole US of A, we pride ourselves on destroying the medical services people need by suing the companies who strive to give you good medical care. The moment one of you shows success, we will find (or concoct) a case to put you into bankruptcy or drive your prices so high to cover our suit that your patients can’t afford your product.
Crabapple’s judgement: This is good! It will bring about new technology to monitor other medical anomalies such as epilepsy, Heart conditions and the possibility of diagnostics through chemical analysis of the person.
Having adjudicated that, Is the sensor going to be implanted? If so, Where? How long will the sensor life be before needing replacement?
I hereby sentence DexCom to further research and then command them to release all information pertaining to FDA requirements and al possible pitfalls especially those created by an individuals folly to adhere to published guidelines.
Having just looked up DexCom, I like what I see. Implanted? Of course – science hasn’t found a reliable way around that yet. The sensor is good for a week at a time. Yes, it still requires the usual 12 hour calibration, but that is no biggie for those who live with diabetes. Where? Most go abdomen, but some use arm. So at least some amount of flexibility there.
I am a type-1 diabetic and a Dexcom user of 2 years. This still require the Dexcom sensor inserted under the skin. The sensor is attached to a transmitter. What will happen with this is transmitter will now send data to the iPhone/iWatch App instead of Dexcom’s separate receiver. The glucose readings will not be done by the watch. The watch/phone will simply be a display.
Crabapple Thanks SJBMusic.
Hmmmm… Not non-invasive, but pretty minimal. May be worth a look. Just last week my wife had another diabetic episode so bad I couldn’t get her to even drink glucose gel and had to call an ambulance. Something like this may still just save her life someday. Time to take a good close look at it for her after all, in spite of not being a built in function.
(Most of us never really expected it, but then for a while it was accepted as a good-as-done feature, then when finally revealed was back to a no-go.)
Although the implant may cost a bit, it saves costs on the finger prick consumables and inconvenience. And 1 episode such as mentioned above costs a minimum of a couple of thousand dollars.
If Apple gets it approved for Medicare reimbursement, it will be a big plus. Just no “whirlaway” like adverts please.
Indeed, it is often that expensive. Fortunately last week, the paramedic and crew treated in home and didn’t transport her to the ER. Still won’t be cheap, though – will pay for a couple of Apple Watches. I’m back to standing in line to buy two on day one!
Medical insurance reimbursement would be awesome!
Per CDC 29 million adults over 20 have diabetes. 86 million have pre diabetes. 1.7 new diabetes cases per year. The Dexcom/Apple watch combo can be a game changer for monitoring of those affected. Worldwide, the numbers are likely 5 to 7 times larger.
That’s a lot of Apple Watches.
Couldn’t agree more!
Health and security is the true reason the Apple watch will succeed en-masse where other’s have failed. The Apple watch will be recommended to millions of patients by their doctors as a means to monitor a plethora of health issues, from heart irregularities to diabetes. It is a trillion dollar market and why Tim Cook has been lobbying US congress to place strict requirements on any “Smartwatch” claiming to be a medical device. The fashion aspect is a red herring. Millions will buy this watch to fill real needs not for image.
The Dexcom works with a sensor that sits under the skin. Sensors can last 4 days – 14 days or so. The sensor transmits the glucose level to the Dexcom receiver which looks like an iPod. Every 5 minutes a new glucose measurement is taken and displayed so you can see a chart of your level. A user still needs to prick their fingers each day to calibrate the device.
Having it also send to the iWatch is cool if it bypasses the need for the receiver.
Can someone let me know about costs for DexCom consumables ?
Thanks