ApexBio launches Blood Glucose Monitoring Device that Talks

Taiwan-based ApexBio has made further innovations to their range of blood glucose meters by adding a speech function. That is, these little nifty devices meant to monitor glucose levels for diabetic patients will provide the blood glucose level in 2 languages. This device will definitely aid visually impaired patients and improve the experience of self monitoring blood glucose levels for ageing patients who live alone.

Picture from ApexBio

However, ‘talking’ blood glucose meters have its fair share of troubles like older devices which have incidents of reading out the wrong measurement levels, which might thus result in erroneous monitoring. Being one of the smaller companies manufacturing blood glucose meters, it has yet to be seen how ApexBio will be able to provide better satisfaction for its customers.

ResMed posts fastest sales growth in the last seven quarters

Picture from ResMed’s Website

Australian medical device company, ResMed, which is also the world’s 2nd largest maker of machines for breathing-related sleep disorders said net income climbed to US$29.6 million in the three months ended June 30 from US$27.7 million a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter was a record US$235.2 million, a 23% increase over the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Kieran T. Gallahue, Chief Executive Officer of ResMed, commented that the company has received positive signals from the marketplace and would be geared for more growth ahead this year. He mentioned the move forward as both national and local Medicare rulings were released and private insurers, such as the country’s largest insurer, Anthem, issued updated coverage policies. This would allow the Australian company to increase sales in the United States, which is currently the biggest healthcare market in the world.

Tanita Corporation to launch a portable Urine Glucose Meter

Tanita Corp. has announced that it will start selling a portable digital urine glucose meter that indirectly checks blood glucose level, allowing people to start monitoring their urine glucose level while on the move. The model of the meter, dubbed “UG-201″ will go on sale in Japan June 20, 2008.

The company already has in its product line a stationary digital urine sugar meter which was on the market since 2004. Requests from customers for a portable version have pushed Tanita to develop the current new model. As people who have been diagnosed with postprandial hyperglycemia, which is an early symptom of diabetes, blood would need to be collected several times after meal, inconveniencing patients who are frequently travelling or eating out.

The UG-201 has a biosensor unit immersed in a preservation solution kept within a cap. To measure the urine glucose level, urine is directly poured into the sensor and the measurement will be completed in about six seconds. After use, the sensor unit may be washed with water, and the cap is re-attached to immerse the sensor unit in the solution. The cost per measurement is about ¥30 because one sensor cartridge can be used 200 times. The company is aiming at initial annual sales of 3,000 sets and cumulative sales of 30,000 sets by fiscal 2010.

OMRON Thermometer wins Reddot Design Award 2008

Japanese medical device company, OMRON Healthcare, which is part of electronics manufacturer OMRON Corporation has won the Reddot Design Award for the Product Design 2008 Category. The award winning product was it’s i-Temp digital thermometer (or the European version of its MC-670 model) shown below.

The thermometer features a flat tip for comfortable use in measuring temperature, a large and functional LCD screen which made it easy for the elderly as well as an ergonomic body that fits on the user’s hand.

For more on the press release, click here.

For more on about the Reddot Product Design Award, please click here.