What is the name of your organization?
Vitasense
What is the name of your solution?
Vitasense
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Affordable, comfortable, and non-invasive Beyond simple continuous glucose monitoring. All monitoring no pain.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Philadelphia, PA, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Diabetes affects over 537 million people globally, causing 6.7 million deaths in 2021 alone. In the United States, it is the eighth leading cause of death, with approximately 1.8 million Americans managing type 1 diabetes and 34 million affected by type 2 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are essential to survival, yet current CGMs pose significant problems. They are invasive, requiring sensors with needles and adhesive patches that cause skin irritation. They are also expensive, costing up to $5,000 per year, and generate 20 million pounds of medical plastic waste annually. These burdens discourage diabetes management, especially in low and middle-income communities.
VitaSense addresses the fundamental issues of accessibility, comfort, cost, and sustainability in glucose monitoring devices. By eliminating the need for skin penetration and adhesives, our non-invasive system reduces physical discomfort and the risk of infection. At a proposed one-time cost of $250, it offers affordability on a large scale. Additionally, through its complete reusability, Vitasense reduces pollution. VitaSense represents a pioneer in the stagnant diabetes management industry, which has relied on harmful methods. Through our immersion in research, diabetes advocacy, and personal experience, we aim to create a solution alongside diabetics around the world who desire change!
What is your solution?
VitaSense is a non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device that detects blood sugar levels using a novel approach. It utilizes photoplethysmography (PPG) with polarized light, paired with GeSe-based nanomaterial sensors, to achieve 99.6% accuracy in glucose level detection.
Unlike traditional CGMs, VitaSense requires no skin penetration, adhesives, or sensor replacements. Instead, through its use of PPG with polarized light, as glucose levels alter the polarization angle, our GeSe-based sensor detects the shift. The device converts the wave measurements into glucose readings and transmits real-time data to a mobile app via Bluetooth.
The armband is lightweight, flexible, and made from breathable fabric. It has a 3-day rechargeable battery and updates every 10 seconds, without lag or warm-up time, compared to current CGMs that have an average delay of 5-20 minutes. Additionally, our app simplifies the complex data into actionable health insights, promoting self-management.
VitaSense has undergone two prototype phases, with its second iteration validated through user trials. It has received national recognition, earning 3rd place in engineering at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NJSHS), and is pending a patent with the USPTO. Our unique combination of affordable components, comfort, and precision positions VitaSense to reshape diabetes management globally.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The market for VitaSense is vast, with diabetes affecting over 537 million people worldwide and a growing need for cost-effective, non-invasive glucose monitoring solutions. Our initial target customers are Americans with type 1 diabetes, a population of approximately 1.3 million individuals. People with type 1 diabetes rely entirely on continuous glucose monitoring to prevent life-threatening conditions. However, existing CGMs are expensive, costing users up to $250 per bi-weekly sensor. With a one-time cost of $250, VitaSense offers an affordable and accessible alternative, particularly appealing to underserved middle- and lower-income patients.
As we achieve market penetration with type 1 diabetics, we plan to expand our target audience to include people with type 2 diabetes and health-conscious individuals. Type 2 diabetes affects over 34 million Americans, with an additional 88 million adults at risk of developing the condition due to prediabetes or lifestyle factors. These individuals increasingly seek real-time data to proactively manage their health, prevent complications, and maintain wellness.
Beyond individual users, healthcare professionals represent a secondary market. Endocrinologists, diabetes clinics, and general practitioners can utilize VitaSense. VitaSense's non-invasive nature is particularly appealing for healthcare providers managing large patient volumes, reducing the challenges associated with invasive monitoring methods.
