Cellnovo: “Mobile-connected diabetes management system”

On February 9th, Cellnovo, a company based in the UK, announced they were launching a new system comprised of an integrated insulin pump connecting wirelessly to a touch-screen handset which then connects wirelessly to their software, allowing remote monitoring of a patient’s diabetes.  They also announced that they will be performing a clinical trial looking at their new system, as well as specifically focusing on the usability of insulin pumps and wireless diabetes technology

The Good:

• Integrated pump with handheld and software: Everything looks to be well-designed and will work seamlessly together.  In fact, the handheld will also serve as a glucose monitor.
• Wireless and automated: Anything that is going to succeed is going to have to be wireless.  Patients already spend enough time managing their diabetes.  Asking them to do more work and take extra steps is unfair and not going to work.  This system will record your glucose values and your insulin doses without you doing any extra work.  That is a big deal!

The Not-As-Good:

• Closed system: Though the products designed by Cellnovo should all work well together, they represent yet another closed ecosystem in diabetes.  If you like one device from one company and one device from another, sorry.  Your data won’t be shared between them.