Google's Smart Lenses Fight Diabetes

Google’s Smart Lenses are being considered as a useful solution to monitor glucose levels for diabetics. Such technologies have the ability to wirelessly transmit data to the users Android device. The prototype for Google is not expected until at least five years to be available to consumers. Smart Lens glucose monitoring for diabetics offers a more convenient way of monitoring versus traditional finger prick methods.

The company recently posted a blog stating, “ We’re now testing a smart contact lens that’s built to measure glucose levels in tears using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. We’re testing prototypes that can generate a reading once per second. We’re also investigating the potential for this to serve as an early warning for the wearer, so we’re exploring integrating tiny LED lights that could light up to indicate that glucose levels have crossed above or below certain thresholds. It’s still early days for this technology, but we’ve completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine our prototype. We hope this could someday lead to a new way for people with diabetes to manage their disease.”

“Glucose levels change frequently with normal activity like exercising or eating or even sweating. Sudden spikes or precipitous drops are dangerous and not uncommon, requiring round-the-clock monitoring. Although some people wear glucose monitors with a glucose sensor embedded under their skin, all people with diabetes must still prick their finger and test drops of blood throughout the day. It’s disruptive, and it’s painful. And, as a result, many people with diabetes check their blood glucose less often than they should.”

Gaming technologies can also better control disease management. Google is also presently in development of its own video-game console. According to an article in WSJ last year, Google “is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a video-game console as part of its next Apple TV product release.” Google’s new console is expected to use Google Android, compatible with smartphones and tablets.

Organizations can benefit and learn from enterprise gamification initiatives. Mobility and gamification in the enterprise is being used to educate, engage, collaborate and share with patients in healthcare. Gamification is the use of game thinking and mechanics in a non-game context in order to engage users and solve problems. The Global Gamification market is expected to grow to 99 percent from now until 2016.

Sanofi-Aventis's offers a new gaming application called Monster Manor. The Android app features data designed to engage children who are diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Sanofi UK, Ayogo Health and Diabetes UK developed the new gaming console. The Android app was developed for compatibility with Sanofi’s existing iBG Star blood glucose meter (BGM). The data is then recorded for both doctors and parents.

Using gaming technology is a benefit for disease management. Game consoles to further engage children in a playful manner yet at the same time rewards behavior which contributes to disease management is smart. The innovative approaches used to treat today’s diseases by leveraging technology impacts the upcoming youth generation.