Diabetes: 29 million people in the US currently have diabetes. As of now there are multiple ways to monitor a diabetic's glucose levels and distribute insulin accordingly however, most of these ways include injections or surgically adding an insulin pump onto the body. Our idea is to create a way to disperse insulin into the body in a noninvasive way. To do this, we came up with an idea of an insulin patch. This patch would use artificial vesicles to carry out the same function as beta cells which would sense an increase in blood sugar levels and release insulin into the bloodstream. The patch would be made out of silicon which would contain 100+ micro-needles in order to pierce the skin. Patients would first need to go under testing to see on average how much insulin they need per day which would dictate how big of a patch they would receive and how often they would need to change it. [1]
[1] Derewicz, Mark. "Smart insulin patch could replace painful injections for diabetes". UNC Healthcare and UNC Medicine. June 2015. Web. 25 January 2017. http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2015/june/smart-insulin-patch-could-replace-painful-injections-for-diabetes
Customer Validation
Patients:
1. Zarreen Ahmed: Has Type 2 diabetes and can aid from a product like this. Can tell us first hand how easy it is to incorporate into her lifestyle. Can contact at 480-825-0991, e-mail at zarreensaleem@yahoo.com.
2. Jose Lopez: Has diabetes type 1 and would benefit from a device like this which would avoid any pain with the needles and would not worry about constantly checking his glucose levels.
Phone number: (928) 920-0754
3. Benjamin Guerra: Another potential Type 1 end user and direct beneficiary of the technology. Will give a personal point of view of how the product has affect their life. Cell phone number: 480-518-1641
4. Joshua Cuellar: Personal experience of having diabetes and will be important with providing us feedback of his daily struggles. 480-789-1676
Physicians:
1. Dr. Kari L. Edling, MD; Specializes in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism and works at Midtown Endocrinology Associates in Phoenix. Would be helpful with research. Phone: 602-457-1705 Email: N/A
2. Dr. Devendra Wadwekar, MD; Has years of experience in endocrinology and will be able to answer our questions for scientific research behind device. Works at East Valley Diabetes & Endocrinology in Gilbert. Phone: 480-359-1104 Email: N/A
3. Dr. Sylvia Kaufmann, MD; Works at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in the Endocrinology Department. Can give us insight into how the product will work with children suffering from diabetes. Can schedule an appointment to meet at 602-546-0935.
4. Dr. Sami N. Nasrallah, MD; is board certified with endocrinology and internal medicine. He can advise the team on how to make the patches more efficient when it comes to communicating with the glands in our body. Practices in Phoenix, AZ and can be reached at 602-588-5555.
5. Dr. Kristin Hanson, MD; Practices in Phoenix, AZ and also specializes in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. She can give more details and information as to if diabetes can be treated with this device. She does not have an e-mail she can be reached at but an appointment can be scheduled at 602-528-3970.
Payers:
1. UnitedHealthOne: Provides the necessary medical equipment for the patients only if they have a health plan within the company. Phone: 1-800-573-0442
2. Aetna: Diabetic supplies are provided only if they are medically necessary, supplies also vary by medical plan or pharmacy plan.
Phone number: 1-800-872-3862 Email: N/A
3. Health Care: Health Care insurance has a coverage for medical equipment which includes diabetic devices
Phone number: 1-800-318-2596 Email: N/A
4. Humana: Humana provides some coverage for diabetic medical devices and it also depends on which health insurance plan you have with the company.
Phone number: 1-855-602-9971 Email: N/A
5. Unitedhealthcare: Assists struggling families and government employees with health services. Located in Phoenix, Az and can be reached at 888-724-4018.
Purchasers:
1. Medtronic Inc: This is an important medical device industry who could officially aid in building the product. Located at 1002 S. 52nd Street: Call at 480-921-6457.
2. W L Gore & Associates Inc : Medical supply store that makes interventional devices used by healthcare professionals to address complex issues and improve lifestyles of many. Located in Tempe, AZ and phone number is 480-756-4400.
3. BARD: It is one of the leading companies manufacturing and developing medical devices.
Phone number: 888-383-6143
Providers:
1. Diabetes Clinic at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center: They will be able to tell us if this is something that they can use on their patients. To find a diabetes specialist,we must call 602-406-7564.
2. Physicians Care Alliance: Skin Care Clinic. Collaboration with them will be necessary so they can confirm that this is even possible when it comes to the integumentary system. Located in Scottsdale, AZ and phone number is 480-905-1016.
3. Arizona Dermatology: Gives us more insight with cosmetics of the patch and any potential side effects the patches could have on the skin. Locations in Gilbert and Phoenix and they can be reached at 480-844-0510.
List of existing patents related to our device:
1. Flexible and Stretchable Electronic Systems for Epidermal Electronics(US20130041235A1):
This patent covers skin-mounted biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. The device uses flexible electronic circuit supported with flexible substrate and includes a plurality of sensors and actuators that contain one or more inorganic semiconductor circuit elements or electrodes
2. Flexible and Scalable Sensor Arrays for Recording and Modulating Activity(US20110054583A1):
The flexible and scalable sensor arrays can sense various types of information such as optical, temperature, chemical, and pressure.Flexible and stretchable substrate that allows shape size and pattern of sensor to be changed capable of wired or wireless communication. the device uses active processing meaning some channels can be combined using analog or digital means to reduce the number of wires
3. Optimized Sensor Geometry for an Implantable Glucose Sensor(US7134999B2):
An implantable sensor for use of measuring glucose in bodily fluid and it is suitable for implantation in soft tissue
4. Integrated Delivery Device for Continuous Glucose Sensor(US7591801B2):
The Integrated delivery device includes systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor with a medication delivery device. It uses automated integration to limit user interaction with the device while keeping it fully operable
5. System for determining insulin dose using carbohydrate to insulin ratio and insulin sensitivity factor(US7404796B2):
This method can employ algorithms that can be used in any type of personal computer needed for managing blood glucose levels
BME 100 Spring 2017
