Assistive Accessories for Glucose Testing

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Due to the high prevalence of diabetes in the veteran population (twice that of the civilian population), we identified some challenges that upper extremity amputees may encounter while trying to self-administer glucose testing. Glucose testing is a vital part of managing diabetes to avoid long-term complications, but since the testing procedure requires considerable dexterity, amputees often require assistance to test their glucose. Additionally, the inability to operate existing lancing devices using just a split hook prosthetic makes it necessary to test at alternate "lagging" sites, which gives a less accurate measurement than fingertip measurements. Our design consists of two assistive accessories, an Adapted Lancing Device and a Glucose Meter Holder, that allow a veteran with a split hook prosthetic to conduct glucose testing without assistance. The Lancing Device can be held in a split hook, and its pressure-triggered mechanism can be used to perform fingertip pricks on the intact hand, thereby avoiding testing at alternate sites. The Glucose Meter Holder stabilizes the meter on a surface, allowing one-handed test strip insertion and blood drop application. By designing accessories that are compatible with the split hook device, rather than a novel terminal device, veterans will be able to take advantage of past experience in using the split hook and avoid having to swap out terminal devices whenever glucose testing is necessary. These devices are portable, easy to use, and would give veterans greater independence and flexibility in the management of diabetes. Note: A more detailed definition of the problem, as well as a more detailed description of our designed solution, can be found in the uploaded .pdf file.