There's no doubt that living with diabetes as a kid must take something away from a potentially carefree experience of childhood. The Blood Buddy cannot make young ones well, but it can turn routine home health checks into a bit of a game.
Hannah Warren has developed a fully equipped blood glucose meter in the form of a toy. It takes the appearance of a whimsical blue monster with stubby legs, no arms, googly eyes and a broad set of big white teeth. A small digital screen embedded into its belly displays the user's reading and several buttons allow him to scroll through the device's functions. It's the great hinged jaw of the Blood Buddy that incorporates the playful aspect, concealing a finger prick that might slightly distract and engage a child.
Kid-Friendly Glucose Readers
The Blood Buddy Takes Some of the Pain Away from Pricking Fingers
Trend Themes
1. Kid-friendly Medical Devices - Developing medical devices that are tailored towards children could lead to better health outcomes and improved experiences for young patients.
2. Gamification of Health Checks - Incorporating game-like elements into medical devices and routines could increase engagement and compliance among young patients.
3. Designing for Empathy - Designing medical devices with a focus on empathy and user experiences could lead to increased patient satisfaction and adherence.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The development of medical devices, specifically glucose meters, tailored for children could disrupt the traditional healthcare industry.
2. Toy Industry - The development of medical devices that are designed to look like toys presents an opportunity for the toy industry to enter the healthcare market.
3. Digital Health - Incorporating digital health technology and gamification into medical devices presents an opportunity for growth in the digital health industry.