The two Johnson & Johnson companies Animas, an insulin pump manufacturer, and Onetouch, a well-known producer of glucose meters and strips, have teamed up to produce the Onetouch Ping, which received FDA Clearance today. The Ping is the first glucose-meter and insulin pump combo that employs wireless communication.
When the glucose meter is used it automatically transmits data to the insulin pump and calculates infusion rates and boluses, enabling hands-free insulin delivery. The system also works with the ezManager MAX Diabetes management software for logging of pump and meter data for review by healthcare professionals.
Here are some more features from the press release:
• Lifestyle-focused pump performance – the pump can be clipped to a belt, tucked in a pocket, or secured under clothing, is waterproof up to 12 feet for 24 hours and has a color screen for outstanding pump readability
• Individualized control – delivers lowest basal increments (0.025 U/hr) and lowest bolus increments (0.05 U) available to more precisely match patient insulin needs
• Proven blood glucose monitoring technology – the meter-remote utilizes OneTouch Ultra Test Strips, the leading brand of test strips covered by more health plans at the lowest co-pay
Read the press release here…
UPDATE: As noted in the comments, we mistakenly stated that the Ping was the first device to use wireless communication between a glucose meter and insulin pump. This is incorrect. It is the first (we hope) pump-meter combo that can deliver a bolus based on information from the meter without having to pull out or touch the pump. We apologize for the confusion.