Type 1 Technology & Resources
We're living in a time where technology is developing at a significant rate and there are huge advances being made in tech to help type 1 diabetes management. This page is dedicated to bringing you information on Type 1 Technology and we'll be adding more resources soon for you to use, share and signpost and we'll let you know when they're available.
Our Tech Page Sponsors
This page is dedicated to bringing you information on Type 1 Technology and is sponsored by Abbott, Dexcom, Insulet, Medtronic, Glooko and Air Liquide Healthcare.
To find out more about what they do and their different technologies, click on their logo below and you’ll be taken to their sponsors’ page.
Insulin Delivery Systems
Pen injections
Tethered/Tubed Pumps
Patch Pumps
Connected Pens
I-Port Advance
Tethered/Tubed Pumps
Insulin is delivered from a small pump device through a tube into a cannula, which sits just under the skin and has to be replaced every 2-3 days. Controlled using the insulin pump and/or a handheld pump device.
Patch pumps
Insulin held in a small pod/patch connected to a cannula and attached to the skin, which needs to be changed every 2-3 days. Controlled via handheld device connected by Bluetooth.
Connected Pens
Insulin is injected into the skin through a needle. Data is held in the pen and can be uploaded for review.
Roche, Insulet Omnipod, Medtronic, T:Slim, Novo Nordisk
Glucose Monitoring Systems
Finger Prick Monitoring
Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
Flash Glucose Monitoring
Also known as intermittent CGM (ICGM). A small sensor reads glucose level in interstitial fluid and when scanned with reader or phone gives glucose reading and pattern of previous 8 hours. Alarms can be set for high and/or low readings and/or signal lost’ (only Libre2)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
A small sensor reads glucose level in interstitial fluid and automatically sends realtime data to reader or phone to be viewed at any time. Options to set alarms for high and/or low readings. Some CGM devices can also be used as part of a hybrid closed loop system.
Finger Prick Monitoring
Finger prick monitoring systems comprise of a reader and a strip which is inserted into the reader to measure the blood glucose level. A finger is pricked by an finger pricker to produce a drop of blood, the strip is brought into contact with the blood and the reader then measures the blood glucose level.
Hybrid Closed Loop Systems
Hybrid Closed Loops
A pump working together with a CGM.
Not all combinations of pump/CGM available.
Insulin is delivered via a pump under the control of data coming from the CGM via an algorithm which is either held within the pump or on a phone app.
Insulin is automatically adjusted based on the predicted glucose levels. The individual still needs to enter the carbohydrates and let the pump know when activity / exercise is taking place so that adjustments to insulin can be made.
Data Uploading
Hand Written Diary
Generic
Industry Generated
Why is uploading Data important?
Uploading data gives the individual/ family and diabetes team valuable information to support diabetes management decisions and to help make informed insulin and treatment adjustments.
Generic
Generic data analysis systems speed up the efficiency of diabetes teams by reducing the number of software packages needed to view data in clinics. However, not all devices are compatible with generic systems.
Industry Generated
Industry developed systems allow upload of individual company devices for personal self management and to share data with medical teams.
All offer extensive and similar reporting options
If you are wanting to know how to access technology or what technology is available to you then the following guides may help you start the conversation with your diabetes team:
Type 1 Diabetes : A Consensus Guideline
NICE NG18 (in particular sections 1.2.62-64)
Please find below some films and resources that discuss & explain more about diabetes technologies.
What Parents Say About Technology
In this film, parents talk about the pros and cons of diabetes technology.
T1D Is a Part of Me - My Life Enabled By Technology
In this film, a group of young people share how technology helps them manage their type 1 diabetes
The DigiBete Platform and App
This films explains what the DigiBete platform and app has to offer.