Nowadays, an insulin pen or daily injections are not the only options; devices like the insulin infusion pump are becoming a popular alternative for monitoring diabetes. Insulin is administered more accurately via insulin infusion pumps, which also lessen discomfort and stop large variations in blood glucose levels. Meal timings are not important while using these pumps.

As a result, patients find infusion pumps easier to use. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), another name for this insulin therapy, is a flexible and efficient method of delivering insulin. The insulin pump is currently more advanced and reliable than it was some years ago. Numerous technological advances have been made in CSII technology, one of which is the pump's incorporation of continuous glucose monitoring. Insulin pumps have the ability to control the algorithm that analyses blood glucose data and automatically distributes insulin.

As diabetes treatment is becoming the need of the hour, a trend in rise of insulin devices is seen over the years. ‘InSul’ Insulin Pump by AgVa Healthcare, based in Delhi is being marketed as ‘the most affordable, high-quality insulin pump that is presently offered in India’, that can help manage diabetes more economically. The product is all set to launch after the CE certification is complete, by the end of 2024. It is currently available for pre-order and the pricing starts at Rs 24,499.

Open MedLabs, affiliated with Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is developing InsuFlo, an affordable insulin pump for type-1 diabetes, designed for vulnerable populations. The product aims to tackle the problem of making an affordable insulin pump that is ‘accessible to patients at the base of the economic pyramid and is designed for such users as opposed to an imported device.’ Already two years in the making, InsuFlo is one of the national winners of ASME ISHOW India 2022, making patients anticipate its arrival.

Further, with the emergence of cutting-edge glucose monitoring devices like wearable sweat analysers, semi-invasive skin patches, and one-prick glucometers, diabetics may now check their blood sugar levels considerably easily. A Hyderabad-based startup, BlueSemi has designed Eyva, a completely non-invasive glucose monitor. Priced at Rs16,650, Eyva aims to allow monitoring of 6 key vitals including blood glucose levels by only placing thumbs on the gadget.

A similar product, Ezlyf by the startup VivaLyf Innovations, in Hyderabad, which also came in Shark Tank last year, is currently undergoing pre-clinical trials is expected to come to the market sometime in the future. The startup has also been endorsed by the Research and Innovation Circle Hyderabad (RICH) which is the Science and Technology cluster of the Telangana government.

Adding on, Ayati Devices is a medtech startup based in Bengaluru, which is set to commercialise scientific research into viable products with a major focus on diabetes & its complications. Their product VIBRASENSE Lite can monitor foot neuropathy which is a diabetic complication. Currently, it can be booked for a free demo session.

BeatO CURV, developed by Health Arx Technologies Private Limited, based in South Delhi, is India's first USB-connected smartphone glucometer. It uses plug-and-play concept, connects via USB to your smartphone, where users insert a strip into the glucometer for sugar readings displayed on the BeatO App and saved in the cloud. It is also the 2021 winner of the #StartUpIndia Initiative by the Govt of India. It is currently available in the market for a sale price of Rs 399.

As many innovations approach their market debut, it promises to bring new advancements to the field of diabetic medical devices, potentially offering enhanced features and benefits compared to currently available technologies.

Avantika Sanjay, Freelancer