Product: Companion
Manufacturer: Omnis Health, LLC
www.omnishealth.com
What it does: Another option in the expanding realm of talking blood glucose meters, the Companion features a large display screen and an optional setting that provides audible instructions and blood glucose readings in English or Spanish. The meter, which is coded using a code chip, requires a 1.1-microliter blood sample from the fingertip, palm, or forearm, and returns results in 6 seconds. Up to 300 results can be stored in the memory and averaging is available for 7-, 14-, and 30-day periods. The Companion is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Availability: The Companion is available from various suppliers of durable medical equipment, including American Diabetic Supplies and Diabetes Care Club.
Product: Element
Manufacturer: Infopia USA
(877) 936-2363
www.infopiausa.com
What it does: The newest offering from Infopia USA, the Element is a no-coding meter that features a test strip ejector (meaning that used strips do not need to be handled after a blood glucose check) and that allows the user to mark blood glucose results that were taken after eating or physical activity. (This can be useful when assessing the effects of food choices and exercise on blood glucose levels.) The meter requires a 0.3-microliter drop of blood, takes 3 seconds to return results, and can be set with five optional reminder alarms. Up to 365 readings can be held in the Element’s memory, and the meter is set with a default for averaging 7-, 14-, and 21-day periods; the user can reset the meter to calculate averages for three customized time periods between 1 and 99 days.
The Element is compatible with the Eocone, Infopia’s data uploading and management system (a device that transmits information from the meter to a central online database that can be accessed by the user and health-care providers), using a cable available separately. Information from the meter can also be uploaded to a computer for analysis using a standard USB cable and software available for download from www.infopiausa.com.
Availability: The Element is currently available from various mail-order and durable medical equipment suppliers.
Product: Embrace
Manufacturer: Omnis Health, LLC
www.omnishealth.com
What it does: Featuring a slimmer, more discreet case than the Companion, its sister meter, the Embrace is a talking meter that can provide audible instructions and blood glucose results in English or Spanish. The meter, which requires a 1.1-microliter blood drop from the fingertip, palm, or forearm, is coded via a code chip and returns results in 6 seconds. The Embrace can hold 300 results in its memory and can calculate averages for 7-, 14-, and 30-day periods. The meter is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Availability: The Embrace is available from various independent pharmacies.
