DiabetesMine, a blog for people with diabetes with a slant towards technology, announced the winners of its 2010 DiabetesMine Design Challenge. The annual web-based competition, which is open to anyone, aims to foster innovation in diabetes design and encourage creative new tools to improve the lives of people with diabetes.
This year’s crop looks really interesting and includes items called “Finn the Glucose Fish,” which is for kids, “Test Drive,” which is for diabetics when behind the wheel, and “Zero,” a unique insulin pump and test idea. (Note: Story continues below each video)
Three Grand Prize winners were chosen from 130 unique submissions. They each will receive $7,000, a consulting session with Health and Wellness experts at IDEO, a global design and innovation firm, as well as a free ticket to the “innovation incubator” Health 2.0 Conference in San Francisco in October. The winners will also receive assistance in getting their idea off the ground, including introductions to Silicon Valley investors and experts, and hands-on assistance with commercialization of the idea.
Two additional winners were awarded $1,000 each for the “Most Creative Idea” and the “Best Kids’ Concept” for those 17 years old and younger.
And now to the winners!
FINN THE GLUCOSE FISH – This grand prize winner helps to make glucose testing appealing to kids by packaging it in a “PlaySkool-like monitor”, according to DiabetesMine. It has big buttons and bright colors and is packages in a nautical case. Finn the Glucose Fish was submitted by Samantha Gustafson, a University of California design student.
TEST DRIVE – Also a grand prize winner, this driving safety system would help people with diabetes when behind the wheel of a car or truck. It would prevent people from getting behind the wheel when their sugar levels are too low. One of the biggest dangers for a person with diabetes when behind the wheel is the potential for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, which can cause seizures, dizziness, fainting and disorientation. Barbara McClatchey submitted the idea, which is still in the rough stages.
Recently, Diabetes News Hound ran an article about 59-year old Leonard Campos, who is charged with manslaughter after he passed out behind the wheel due to a low blood sugar and killed a pedestrian. (See: Man Pleads Not Guilty in Diabetes Car Crash Death)
ZERO – This grand prize winner is a visionary concept and not yet real. It is essentially a tiny artificial pancreas worn as an armband, according to DiabetesMine. It was submitted by professional designer Mauro Amoruso.
IN SUE LIN’S WORLD – This community award winner won a $1,000 prize for the most creative idea. It’s a cute cartoon-like interactive game that helps children learn about many aspects of diabetes. It aims to help kids learn about how food impact blood sugar levels and when to take insulin shots. Susan Stiles of start-up company Oak Grove Technologies, submitted the application, which can link up with mobile devices or included in blood sugar monitoring systems.
AniMETER – This animal-shaped glucose meter was awarded a $1,000 prize in the special category for submissions made by people under the age of 17. Sixteen-year old Megan Khoury came up with the idea for the talking meter that plugs into the computer via a USB port. Users are then connected to www.AniMeter.com, which would have games for the kids and live chats for parents, who can connect with doctors.
Visitors to Diabetes Mine voted on their favorite designs. That helped narrow the field to 10 finalists, which were ultimately evaluated by a group of judges. DiabetesMine is run by San Francisco-based journalist Amy Tenderich, who does a really nice job with it. I encourage you to check out DiabetesMine this week to see more in-depth information on some of the winners.
Below is another interesting submission I found on YouTube. Its called GlucoBand and is an idea for a bracelet-like continuous glucose monitor.
The 2009 competition winner was a system that converted an iPhone into a controller for a glucose monitor and insulin pump.
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