Last Updated on April 16, 2024
Insulin smart pens offer an easy to carry solution to diabetes management. Any insulin dependent diabetic is familiar with the idea of insulin pens.
There are a couple advantages to using an insulin pen as opposed to a bottle and syringe. The pen is more convenient when you are on the go or traveling. Insulin pens make it easy to deliver consistent and accurate insulin doses.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with insulin pens, there are two basic types, disposable and non-disposable insulin pens. Non-disposable pens you load yourself with insulin cartridges. You can buy the insulin cartridges in packs of five. The pen itself should last you a couple years before you need a new one.
Disposable pens come filled with insulin and then are thrown out when empty. Most pens are filled with 300 units of insulin. While these pens tend to be more convenient, they are also more expensive than reusable pens.
Smart Insulin Pens
Companion Medical has began to test their new “smart insulin pen”. The Companion Medical pen isn’t the first pen of its kind, but it’s the most impressive. The Memoir Pen from Eli Lilly and Echo Pen from Novo Nordisk are both already available in the UK, but don’t offer as many features as the Companion’s pen will. Both competitor pens can track the time and dosage amount, but that’s where the similarities end.
Companion Medical Smart Pen
Companion Medical is changing the way that people with diabetes look at insulin pens. Companion is combining the technology of a smart phone with the simplicity of an insulin pen.
The “InPen” will offer several interesting features. The “smart pen” can track dosages and the times that they were delivered just like previous smart insulin pens. The user will be able to look back through the days to see the amounts and times to gauge their levels.
What makes the Companion InPen innovative is the ability to sync with a free app that will be available for both iPhones and Android devices. The app will be able to alert you if you forget to take a dosage or you can set an alarm to remind you. The app will also allow users to share their information with family, friends, or medical staff through text message.
Another useful feature in the insulin pen is the temperature meter embedded inside. The pen will be able to send an alert if the insulin inside becomes too hot or too cold. This will prevent the insulin from becoming ineffective from temperature. This is can help people with diabetes that work outside, are traveling, or enjoying a summer vacation.
Sean Saint, the CEO of Companion Medical is very excited to release the smart pen, “There’s a huge impression that the only worthwhile technology in diabetes is an insulin pump plus something — a CGM or an algorithm. What frustrated me was learning that 93% of people can’t or won’t use a pump for whatever reason. If that’s true, how do we bring the benefits of pumps to other people?”
Is a Smart Insulin Pen Right for You?
Insulin pens are an excellent option for a lot of people, but maybe you can’t decide. Insulin pens offer different advantages and disadvantages depending on your lifestyle and treatments.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to deliver insulin, smart pens aren’t for you. In some cases insulin pens can be twice as expensive as vials and syringes.
If you tend to forget to take your insulin or have a child that is insulin dependent, then a smart pen is your solution. With the reminder/tracking feature of the smart pens, it can prevent those, “did I remember to take my shot after dinner?” moments that everyone has.
The Companion Medical’s insulin pen has the ability to text shot times/amounts, which is excellent for parents. This is a great way for parents to ensure that their child has administered shots at the appropriate time.
