Imagine a computer game that could actually save your life. Sounds too good to be true?
Well, Didget is a blood glucose monitoring system which reads and records blood sugar concentrations, connects with Nintendo DS® systems and rewards consistent testing by unlocking new mini-games.
Why do we need this innovation?
For people with diabetes, good blood glucose management is essential if they are to keep their condition under control and avoid serious long term health complications. Glucose levels need to be kept as near to normal as possible. This can be achieved by controlling the amount of insulin they use, eating a healthy, balanced diet and taking part in regular exercise.
Testing blood glucose regularly and making a note of the results in a record diary shows how well the patient is managing their diabetes. Poor control can be dangerous and over many years it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, seizures, coma and even death. DIDGET can measure blood glucose in 5 seconds and automatically stores results to make blood glucose management easier.
When connected to the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot on Nintendo DS and DS Lite systems, DIDGET converts blood glucose test results into reward points. Players can redeem these points to unlock new levels, mini-games, and items in Knock ‘Em Downs: World’s Fair, a Nintendo DS adventure game bundled with the DIDGET device. DIDGET additionally features an online community with score leader boards, web games, and player profile pages that can be customised by redeeming DIDGET reward points.
Attack of the Facts
Fact 1
DIDGET is the first and only blood glucose meter intended for young people with diabetes that plugs into Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite gaming devices.
Fact 2
The product was inspired by a parent of a child with diabetes; he noticed that although his son regularly misplaces his blood glucose meter, he never forgot his Nintendo Game Boy.
Fact 3
Blood sugar testing is an essential tool for managing diabetes and helps to prevent long-term complications from developing.There are now more than 22 million games consoles in Britain, which means about eight in every ten homes has at least one!
Fact 4
There are now more than 22 million games consoles in Britain, which means about eight in every ten homes has at least one!