Finding your Kilimanjaro…

On the 5th of November 2016 I will attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa, with an altitude of 5895 meters above sea level. I hope to plant a flag on the roof of Africa for one of my diabetes projects on World Diabetes Day, on the 14th November.

Climbing the Kilimanjaro will be for me a personal challenge, another turning point in my life. At the age of 50 I need to re-evaluate an industry that knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. Yes, I am referring to the medical device industry… I have for 25 years been working in an industry that looks at my finger when I show it the moon.

Moving from Egosystem to Ecosystem

For a while I have been concerned that my industry has been more concerned about artificial media presence than with medicine. Indeed we are suffering from a complete “gadgetization” of our industry, ever since crowd-funding (Kickstarter, Indiegogo) has allowed the layman, the non-professional, to launch a product simply because he believed in it, rather than based on sound, scientific research.

And the same “gadgetization” also applies to social media. Anyone can be an expert in medicine or in “connected health” nowadays. Ever since connected health has become the new Nirvana for business, an entire new generation or “digital experts” has invaded the media industry and has positioned itself as the be-all and end-all of communication in the field. But they in fact know very little… They are not medical experts… They are not even technology experts… they are not doctors… So the public is continuously fed with a deluge of nonsensical and uncoordinated media about a subject on which they should be given real, useful data.

The Osborne example

My late father was an early user of the Osborne computer. The Osborne, created in 1981, was one of the first truly portable computers. It was a little suitcase, with a little foldout lid that doubled up as a keyboard, and weighed a ton. I remember carrying them around the house as a teenager. My father was very proud of using the Osborne and of the Osborne’s incredible computational power. So proud in fact that he set out to prove, using the Osborne, that it was physically impossible for the human body to run 100 meters in under 10 seconds. To do so, he entered all the physiological data of the human body into the computer, launched the algorithms, and he did it… He demonstrated, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that it was physically impossible for the human body to run 100 meters in under 10 seconds. It was there, in black on white, on the computer… This was 1981…

In May 1983, Carl Lewis ran, for the first time, 100 meters in less than 10 seconds at low altitude. And today, if you can’t run 100 meters in under 10 seconds, you might as well stay home; it has become the standard of the industry.

Countless such examples exist in various industries, from music, to sports, to technology.

When the future arrives, we must be careful to not let current dogma overweight our imagination and intelligence.

We need to see the truth… We need to hear the heartbeat of our industry. For quite a while I have heard the faint sounds of this heartbeat, but I have ignored it. But I feel that if I do not listen to it now, much of the work that I have done will be for naught. It is difficult to hear what is in a man’s heart.

Covered in mist, capped with eternal snows, full of legends and mystery, Mount Kilimanjaro is an awesome and magnificent climb. During dry seasons, locals blame the mountain's demons for taking away the rain, but when the rain becomes too much, they turn their faces to the mountain, bowing, asking God to forgive them.

It is perhaps time for us to ask forgiveness for what we are doing to the medical industry.
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why... This is why, in the words of Qui Gon of Star Wars, "I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan... "

See you on the Kilimanjaro

Uwe DIEGEL
Official manufacturer of happinesswww.medactiv.com
uwediegel@mac.com 

All you ever wanted to know about insulin and diabetes

Just published a bit of information online about insulin, how to manage it, questions about diabetes and more. Click on the link https://indd.adobe.com/view/fd637a3f-438f-4d79-b5f3-f3bfd6648ac9 to read online, or just click here (https://www.medactiv.com/downloads/MedActiv-Insulin-FAQ.pdf) if you want to download a hard copy.

The complete A to Z guide of traveling with diabetes

Diabetes should not prevent you from taking a long hike or making a trip to an exotic country. If you have diabetes and want to travel, you simply have to carefully plan your trip. There can always be unexpected events (lost luggage, the marooning of your boat on an exotic island), but if you are well prepared, you should be able to overcome these difficulties without any problems.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. "

Marcel Proust

Before your trip

Talk to your travel agent

Tell your travel agent that you have diabetes and explain the specific requirements that the journey might entail. This way, your trip can be tailor-made to better meet your needs. A missed connection in an airport can ruin even the best-prepared holidays.

Talk to your doctor

Consult with your doctor before planning/confirming your holidays. Discuss your itinerary with him and develop plans for meals and medication, especially when traveling through different time zones. Ask your doctor what to do in the eventuality of you becoming sick while on holiday.

Talk to your pharmacy

Ask for a list of all your medications (including generic names and dosages) from your pharmacist (especially oral medications for diabetes and insulin). If you take insulin, be familiar with the different types of insulin and know if your insulin is fast acting, intermediate or slow. Carry a copy of this list with you at all times.

Travel Insurance

Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover your trip, and keep copies of your insurance documents with you in case of an emergency. Some insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, which may include diabetes. Make sure your diabetes is covered by your medical plan.

Diabetes in a foreign language

Learn how to say, "I have diabetes" and "orange juice or sugar, please" in the language or languages of the countries you visit. Try to find out what the important words for diabetes are (insulin, sugar, hypoglycemia, etc.) in the country where you travel in case you have a medical emergency or if you need to let people know that you suffer from diabetes.

Glucagon

If you use insulin to manage your diabetes, you should also ask your doctor if glucagon is suitable for you. Glucagon is given by injection and is used to treat severe hypoglycemia, a condition that can cause seizures or unconsciousness. If you are traveling in a remote area with no ambulance service, it is important that your traveling companion learn how to administer glucagon. Talk to your doctor if you are not familiar with its use.

Medications

Make sure you have enough medicine to cover the entire period of your trip. It may also be a good idea to double the amount of medication you need for your trip and to put one set in your hand luggage and the other in your checked baggage. That way you'll have a backup if you happen to lose one of your bags during the trip. Keep your medications in properly labeled containers, as issued by your pharmacist, and keep your insulin at the right temperature (between 2 and 8°C). To carry your insulin and glucagon at this temperature for 24 hours, use the iCool Prestige from MedActiv.

Boxes for used syringes/needles

In addition to your medication, you will need a secure box to dispose of your used needles. These boxes are usually available for free from your pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist or your doctor about how to get one.

Vaccinations

Be sure to get the necessary vaccinations at least four weeks before your departure to allow time to deal with possible side effects.

Prescriptions and Diabetic Cards

Ask your doctor to give you a prescription in English, because English is the most widely understood language by doctors worldwide. Download a Diabetic Card and always keep this card in your wallet when you travel. It may save you a lot of trouble. The Diabetic Card is also usually available from your local diabetes association.

Travel certificate

Download a Travel Certificate and ask your doctor to complete it. This travel certificate says that you have diabetes and that you should not be separated from your medicine, and that this medicine should be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8°C.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are European and traveling in Europe, this card will entitle you to free or low cost healthcare in most European countries. The EHIC card is free and is available on the French health insurance website https://assure.ameli.fr/.

Seasickness

If you suffer from seasickness, take some carbohydrates in liquid form (juice or soft drinks) with you.

Assistance

When booking, always inform your airline or your travel agent if you need assistance during the trip.

The journey itself

Copies of your prescriptions

Make copies of your prescriptions and keep them in your hand luggage in case customs or airport security ask you questions about the medications you are carrying.

Medication

Divide your medication and diabetes supplies in half and put one half in your carry-on bag and the other one in your main luggage. This way, even if you lose one of your bags, you will have emergency supplies. Above all, make sure that you have some of your medication in your carry-on. Take extra supplies and medicines in case of loss or theft. Include any other supplies you might need, including treatment for hypoglycemia, food, drinking water, walking shoes, sun cream and medication against nausea and diarrhea. Keep your insulin at the right temperature (between 2 and 8°C). To carry your insulin and glucagon at this temperature for 24 hours, use the iCool Prestige from MedActiv.

Customs

• Inform the security guards that you have diabetes and that you are carrying medical supplies. Your medication must have a prescription label with your name on it.
• All medications must be labeled with the manufacturer’s name.
• Syringes are only allowed through security if you are carrying insulin.

If you take insulin, do not forget to take it with you at all times. Security scanners used during check-in will not damage your insulin or blood glucose meter. However, if your luggage is under X-rays for a longer period than normal, or if the luggage is X-rayed several times, your insulin may lose some of its effectiveness. So if possible, it is always better to ask them to pass your insulin through manually. Again, if you warn the security guards BEFORE they ask any questions, they will normally bend themselves backwards to help you. You’ll probably end up jumping the line and getting through before everyone else. However, if you are a jerk about it, you could end up getting that dreaded full cavity body search.

Customs and insulin pumps

Notify a security officer in advance if you are using an insulin pump. The walk-through metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors can affect the operation of an insulin pump, so if you are using an insulin pump you should ask the security agent for a manual search in a private area. You must inform them that your insulin pump cannot be removed.

Where to put your insulin on the plane

Generally, the luggage zones on a plane are all pressurized and maintained at a constant temperature of about 5°C. This is a standard for the vast majority of airlines. So it's not a problem for you to put some insulin in the hold. However, if you are using an unusual flight (for example in the steppes of Russia with a Russian ex-military aircraft), please note that your luggage might be in an unpressurized environment and will be at a low temperature that is likely to freeze your insulin. Insulin is affected by extreme temperatures and should never be stored in a non-pressurized aircraft. It is important to inspect your insulin before each injection. If you notice anything unusual with the appearance of your insulin, immediately replace it with fresh insulin.

Generally, it is recommended never to leave your insulin and, if possible, to carry it as hand luggage, because if your insulin is in your main luggage in the hold and that your suitcase is lost, it may ruin your vacation. Wherever you go, always keep enough insulin for the duration of the trip and one day more. MedActiv manufactures a range of different isothermal for the safe transport of insulin by plane.

Tips for different types of travel

By plane

Be sure to give yourself extra time before your flight because when you arrive at the security check with insulin and syringes, the security control of the airport may take a few minutes more.

Airlines usually offer special meals for diabetics (however you must notify them at least 48 hours in advance), but with a little planning, the regular meals in an airplane can normally fit into your usual diet. Always have appropriate snacks with you in case your flight or the meal is delayed, or if the meal provided does not have enough carbohydrates. Be aware of time zone changes and of the timing of your meals and prepare your medication accordingly. If you sleep during your flight, use an alarm clock or ask the flight attendant to wake you up at meal times or when it is time to take your medication.

Try to stay active during your trip: walk through the terminal before boarding, do simple stretching exercises in your seat or make circles with your ankles. If possible, elevate your legs every now and then.

If you are using a prescription drug it is important to have it with you and to know how to use it and any side effects that you may have. This will help you in explaining to the flight attendant how to help you if you need it.

By car

Whether you are a driver or a passenger, it is very important to check your blood sugar regularly. Check it before you leave home, and again every four hours during your trip. Stop every few hours to stretch your legs and do some physical activity to improve circulation in your legs. At the first sign of hypoglycemia take a dose of simple sugars such as glucose tablets, 175 ml of fruit juice or even a soft drink. Follow this with longer acting carbohydrates and protein such as a sandwich. Do not start driving again until the symptoms have disappeared and your blood glucose values are greater than 6 mmol/l. If you take insulin, avoid driving between your injection and your next meal. Limit your driving to a maximum of 12 hours per day, or six hours between meals. Keep your medication, meals and snacks as regular as possible. If you are stuck in a traffic jam, car breakdown, or take wrong directions, it will not always be possible to find a restaurant, so always bring along enough stuff to treat low blood sugar (glucose tablets, fruit juice or soft drinks).

Boat

Cruise liners are known for their extravagant buffets. With such a wide variety of appetizers and dishes available, it is easy to overindulge. If possible, try to get a sample menu of the cruise and you'll then have an idea of the types of food served and will be able to plan your meals accordingly.

Stay active to compensate for any extra food you eat. Cruise ships offer a wide range of activities; try an aerobics course, swimming, or just have a romantic stroll on the deck at sunset.

It's always a good idea to make the cruise staff aware of your diabetes in case of problems.

Hiking

Hikes in the great outdoors are often the most fun but remember the cardinal rule: do not go camping or hiking alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return so that you can be found in the case of an emergency. Take a first aid kit and if you use insulin, take some glucagon (glucagon is administered when a person has severe hypoglycemia). Teach your traveling companion when and how to use glucagon. For more information on glucagon, talk to your doctor.

The key to enjoying a camping trip is to avoid things that will significantly change your glucose levels, such as significantly more intense physical activity than usual. Watch out for cuts, bruises, sunburns, blisters and insect bites. Make sure your food and water are not contaminated. Be sure to eat and drink enough to meet your needs - bring extra food, water, medication and sugar. If you are going to be very active, you may need to take less insulin, but talk to your doctor before doing so.

During the trip

Checking your blood sugar during the trip

Checking your blood sugar while traveling is as important (if not more) than when you are at home. Bring the instruction manual for your meter, as well as extra batteries and test strips. To facilitate the monitoring of injections and meals during time zones changes, keep your watch to the departure time zone until the morning after your arrival.

Check your blood sugar as soon as possible after landing. With the time differences, it can be hard to tell if you have a very low or very high glucose levels.

After a long flight, try to relax for a few days to get your system back in shape. Check your blood sugar regularly. If you take insulin, plan your activities so that you can integrate your insulin and meals in your workflow.

Insulin during the trip

Insulins sometimes have different brands and dosages in some countries. If you need to buy insulin during your trip, make sure that the brands and insulin dosages are the same as those you normally use. Try using your own drugs and syringes in the third world countries and avoid using local needles if they are not sterile.

In general, you should use the brand and formulation of insulin that was prescribed by your doctor. However, if you need more insulin when you're on the road and your usual brand is unavailable, you can replace your insulin by an equivalent formulation of another brand (ex. NovoLog for Humalog, Humulin R for Novolin R). However, any change in the formulation (ex. fast-acting for slow-release) requires medical supervision.

Time zone changes for insulin users

Long trips often cross several time zones, so a 24-hour day may be extended or shortened depending on your direction of travel. You should adjust your insulin schedule accordingly. Your glycemic control may be disturbed by a change in schedule, modified activity, or a disturbance in your sleep patterns.

• When traveling east, your travel days will be shorter. If you lose more than two hours, you will need to take less intermediate or slow insulin.

• When traveling west, your travel days will be longer. If you gain more than two hours, you will need to take extra units of insulin and more food.

• You can change the time of your meals and injections for up to two hours in a day without adjusting your insulin dose or your meal plan.

• Follow your usual meals whenever possible.

• If you cross more than two time zones, you should prepare a schedule of meals and insulin together with your doctor.

Time zone changes for users of oral medications

If the time difference is less than three hours, you can move the time of your medications by an hour and a half. If the time difference is more than three hours, you should ask your doctor for advice.

Emergency food

Always carry some snacks with you in case of a drop in blood sugar or in case you are unable to eat your planned meal on time. Cheese, biscuits, fresh or dried fruit, energy bars and sandwiches are all healthy choices that are easy to carry in a handbag. Also carry some fast-acting sugar with you, such as glucose tablets or juice.

Avoid tap water in developing countries. This includes ice cubes made from tap water.

Alcohol, diabetes and travel

Consumption of alcohol may increase your risk of hypoglycemia. However, travel is often equivalent to a holiday where alcohol consumption might be higher than usual. To reduce this risk, take the following steps:

Before drinking alcohol...

• Eat regular meals, take your medication and check your blood sugar frequently (keep your meter with you).

• Keep a treatment for hypoglycemia with you (glucose tablets or fruit juice).

• Wherever you are, make sure someone knows how to recognize signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat it so that they can help you.

• Be aware that glucagon, a treatment for blood glucose, does not work when alcohol is in the body. For this reason, make sure someone knows how to call an ambulance if you lose consciousness.

• Wear diabetes identification such as a Diabetic Card or a Medicaid bracelet.

While drinking alcohol...

• Eat foods that are rich in carbohydrates.

• Eat even more foods that are rich in carbohydrates if you dance, play sports or do other unusual physical activities.

• Always mix your own drinks. Use less alcohol and stretch your drinks with sugar-free mixers.

• Drink slowly. Between each glass, have a drink without alcohol.

After drinking...

• Tell a responsible person that you've been drinking. They should watch for symptoms of hypoglycemia.

• Check your blood sugar before going to bed.

• Take a carbohydrate snack if your blood sugar is lower than usual.

• Set an alarm or ask a responsible person to wake you up at night and early in the morning - hypoglycemia can occur at any time for 24 hours after alcohol consumption.

• Get up on time the next day for any food, medication or insulin that you normally take. Skipping medication or insulin may cause hyperglycemia, ketones and DKA.

Diabetes and foot care during travel

Diabetics need to pay attention to their feet.

• Take at least two pairs of shoes in order to change shoes as often as possible. Changing shoes helps prevent blisters and painful pressure points.

• Take comfortable shoes and socks and a first aid kit to treat minor injuries to the feet.

• Do not walk barefoot. If you are in the sea or walking on the beach, wear shoes made especially for the ocean. Protect your feet at all times when you're swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach or in a park.

• Do not wear open-toed shoes, including sandals, flip flops, or others (you increase your risk of injury and infection when your toes are exposed).

• Follow your normal daily care for your feet.

If you become ill while on holiday

When you are sick, your blood sugar levels can fluctuate and be unpredictable. During periods of illness, it is VERY IMPORTANT to:

• Test your blood glucose every two to four hours.

• Continue taking your diabetes medication.

• Drink plenty of water or fluids without sugar. Avoid coffee, tea and sodas as they contain caffeine that will make you lose more fluids.

• Replace solid foods with liquids that contain sugar if you cannot eat your usual meals.

• Take at least 15 grams of carbohydrate every hour.

• Call your doctor or go to an emergency room if you vomit and/or have diarrhea twice or more in less than four hours.

• If you take insulin, continue taking it while you are sick. Check with your doctor if you think that you need to adjust your insulin doses during your illness.

• Relax.

• If you have travel insurance, take your documents with you to hospital.

The storage and transport of insulin

Insulin must be stored properly, because it will quickly become less effective if it is exposed to extreme temperatures. At an ambient temperature of 25°C, insulin will retain its effectiveness for about three weeks. At a temperature of 28°C, insulin will lose about 14% of its efficiency over a period of one month, and at 32°C it will lose about 18% of its efficiency over the same period. If insulin is exposed to temperatures below 0°C or is frozen, it almost immediately develops crystals that make the injection dangerous and uncomfortable. The ideal storage temperature for insulin is between 2 and 8°C. At this temperature insulin can be maintained almost indefinitely.

Transporting your medicines

MedActiv (www.medactiv.com) has developed a range of cooler bags specially adapted to keep your insulin at the right temperature. These bags are divided in two main categories that are EasyBag and iCool.

EasyBag - the little miracle that keeps insulin cool for 7 days without electricity:
The EasyBags use gel crystals that cool insulin when they are placed in contact with water. To activate the EasyBag, simply immerse it in water for 40 seconds. The crystals in the panels of the EasyBag change into a gel that stays fresh for five to seven days using an evaporation process that will keep insulin at a temperature between 16 and 25°C (up to an ambient temperature of 38°C). Insulin can be stored for up to three weeks at this temperature.

iCool, the ultimate expression of innovation at the service of technology

The iCool bags use a new generation of chemical ice packs that do not sweat and that have a slower thawing period than traditional ice packs. This allows people with diabetes to carry their insulin safely when traveling, at work or on vacation. The iCool bags keep insulin for up to 24 hours at 2 to 8°C and also include separate compartments to carry all your diabetes accessories (blood glucose meter, needles, bandages, etc.).

Useful hints

• For environmental reasons, more and more hotels are using coded cards to open the doors of their rooms and these cards are also often used as a switch to turn on and off the electricity in the room. This means that when you leave your hotel room, you take your card with you and turn off all the electricity in your room (including the little bar fridge where you keep your medications cool). To work around this problem, just use any old plastic card (a gym membership card, business card, etc.) to switch on the power in your room. Leave it permanently in the room so that the electricity stays on.

• If you need to freeze the ice packs of your MedActiv travel bag before leaving the hotel, the refrigerators in the hotel rooms are generally not of a very good quality and will not completely freeze your ice packs. So instead of using the bar fridge in your room, go down to the hotel bar and ask the helpful staff to freeze them for you. After all, they always need ice in bars and therefore have high quality freezers.

Useful Sites

European Health Insurance Card: (https://assure.ameli.fr/ )

Google translate: (http://translate.google.com )

MedActiv (transport solutions for sensitive drugs) (www.medactiv.com)

About MedActiv

The MedActiv Company was founded by Dr. Olaf and Uwe DIEGEL, following an incident where Dr. Diegel’s insulin was damaged during a heat wave in France in 2003. For this reason the two brothers take diabetes personally and pay particular attention to the quality and finish of their products so that they are intuitive to use, practical and beautiful. MedActiv is now a global leader in the secure storage and transport of sensitive drugs.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France

Uwe DIEGEL

6 rue de Castellane

75008, Paris, France

Tel: 01 42 66 15 59

Mail: contact@medactiv.com )

www.medactiv.com)

Check the list of diabetic traveler

Before leaving, be sure to have:

☐ A medical check-up

☐ Travel insurance

☐ A Diabetic Card and/or a medical bracelet or necklace

☐ Information on local food

☐ A list of your medications

☐ A medical certificate from your doctor

☐ All necessary vaccinations

☐ Information on medical facilities or local diabetes organizations

Talk to your doctor:

☐ About managing your diabetes if you get sick while traveling

☐ About management of hypoglycemia (glucagon for insulin users)

☐ How to adjust meals, insulin and medication in different time zones

☐ How to avoid diseases caused by contaminated food and water

☐ How to adjust your medication if necessary

Stuff to take:

☐ Extra insulin or oral diabetes drugs

☐ Syringes, needles and an extra insulin pen *

☐ A glucose meter, enough strips and a diabetes book (passport)

☐ Fast-acting insulin for high blood sugar and ketones *

☐ Fast-acting sugar to treat hypoglycemia

☐ Extra food (biscuits, fruit juice) in case a meal is delayed

☐ Urinary test strips for ketones *

☐ Anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea pills

☐ Pain medication

☐ Sunscreen

☐ Insect protection

☐ Large amounts of bottled water, if necessary

☐ Comfortable walking shoes

☐ Glucagon *

☐ Phone numbers of your doctor

☐ Emergency supplies for your return in case you encounter problems

• for insulin users

MedActiv receives the 2010 Leading Innovation Award from the IIPNF for its diabetes technology

A few hours after it was announced that the French company MedActiv was a double winner at the Taipei Invention Fair, the progressive company received a Leading Innovation Award from the IIPNF (International Intellectual Property Network Forum).

The coveted prize was awarded to MedActiv for the development of the iFridge and iTube, its innovative solutions for the safe transport of medications. Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv, was informed of the award only two hours after collecting two top awards for the same products at the Taipei Invention Fair on Saturday October 2^nd 2010.

The iFridge is a portable refrigerator designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. The iTube is a brushed steel insulated vacuum flask designed to carry an insulin pen.

Uwe and Olaf DIEGEL developed the iFridge and iTube after spotting a gap in the market for new transport solutions for thermo-sensitive medications. “The awarding of the 2010 Leading Innovation Award to MedActiv confirms that we are going in the right direction. In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over a million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and the freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The IIPNF is an international organization that aims to unite invention societies around the world by sharing ideas, brainstorming and appreciating the inventors for their creativity and hard work. Every year, the IIPNF honors selected inventors for their drive for excellence and the uniqueness of their vision.

About MedActiv

MedActiv is a HealthWorks brand. HealthWorks is the company created by brothers Olaf and Uwe Diegel to develop and distribute their inventions. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat. MedActiv is today a global leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of medication.

Contact information:
HealthWorks France
6, rue de Castellane
75008 PARIS, France
Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
Press Contact:
Name: Uwe Diegel
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

MedActiv wins big at the Taipei International Invention Show in Taiwan

Two MedActiv products won top awards at the Taiwan 2010 Technomart Design Contest last night in Taiwan. The iFridge and the iTube herald a new era for the transport and storage of sensitive medications.

For Olaf and Uwe Diegel, inventors and developers of the iFridge and the full range of MedActiv products, the TechnoMart prizes are the ultimate reward after long years of research and development.

« There are about 1.2 million people in France who are affected by diseases that hamper their travels because the medication they use is sensitive and must be kept at a temperature between 2 and 8°C. These people are effectively prisoners of their diseases. These medications include growth hormones, medications for polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis, vaccines and anti venoms. The MedActiv range of products gives these people the liberty to travel and to take responsibility for their health”, says Uwe DIEGEL.

iFridge: Innovation as the ultimate expression of technology

Winner Silver Medal at TechnoMart 2010

The “smallest refrigerator in the world” is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. Winner of the Concours Lepine in Paris and of the “2010 Handicap Prize” by the City of Paris, it allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and at play.

“In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over a million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and the freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The iFridge is recommended for the transport of insulin, vaccines, adrenaline, interferons, procreation agents, coagulation agents, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies (TNF/Anti-TNF), covering diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth deficiencies.

Technomart: an important milestone for MedActiv

Winning a Technomart Award 2010 for the iFridge is very important for MedActiv. "We presented the first prototype of the Medifridge in France in 2005 and were winners of the Prime Minister’s Prize at the Concours Lépine. The same year we were winners of a NASA award in the USA. In 2010 we won the 2010 City of Paris Handicap Prize with the second generation of this product. The iFridge is the natural evolution of these first two products and is more suited to international demands for the transportation of medications. Despite the great commercial success and the obvious importance of this product for people who suffer from chronic diseases, we had great difficulty in finding development aid for this product in France and had to do everything ourselves, which made it a much harder and longer process because of our limited resources. Winning at such a prestigious international design competition in Taiwan will help us in finding international investors. We already last week signed a new manufacturing agreement with a local company in Taiwan for the Asian market. It is amazing to me that such a unique technology as the iFridge, which meets the demands of millions of people around the world, must go abroad to find aid" said Uwe Diegel.

A blue sky for those who suffer from chronic diseases

Another MedActiv product, the iTube (an isothermal tube that keeps insulin cool for 24 hours) also received a silver medal in the Technomart competition.

iTube: A state-of-the-art technology that answers the daily needs of patients

The iTube is a brushed steel insulated vacuum flask designed to carry an insulin pen. It's small, lightweight, stylish and was designed by HealthWorks to keep insulin cool for 24 hours.

“Because the iTube looks a bit like a cigar tube, it might at first be seen as a gadget. However, I think that the iTube will be the single most used item by a diabetic on an everyday basis. Since I’ve started using it, I keep it with me at all times, so that when I go out to dinner with friends, I can keep my insulin with me safely in my jacket pocket without it being affected by my body heat”, says Dr Olaf DIEGEL, head of research at HealthWorks and himself a diabetic.

“The iFridge and iTube technologies make it possible to simplify the management of all chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks. “Any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by his or her daily lifestyle, so it is important that we give them the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The iFridge and the iTube do just that and give them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The iFridge and iTube will be available to the public on the site http://www.medactiv.com from December 24, 2010.

About MedActiv

MedActiv is a HealthWorks brand. HealthWorks is the company created by brothers Olaf and Uwe Diegel to develop and distribute their inventions. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat. MedActiv is today a global leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of medication.

Contact information:
HealthWorks France
6, rue de Castellane
75008 PARIS, France
Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59
Press Contact:
Name: Uwe Diegel
Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com

MedActiv presents new technologies for the transport of sensitive medications

The iFridge, a portable refrigerator allowing a better conservation of heat-sensitive medications, and the iTube, a cooling container for medication, will be presented for the first time at the Taiwan Technomart Show in 2010.

MedActiv represents France at the International Technomart Competition in Taipei between the 30th of September and the 3rd of October 2010, and will present its new solutions for the storage and transport of sensitive drugs. Amongst these solutions will be the iFridge, a revolutionary portable fridge with a battery pack giving the user complete mobility for 28 hours, as well as the iTube, a new technology invented by Uwe and Olaf DIEGEL, well known experts in the field of health management, for the safe transport of insulin.

iFridge: Innovation as the ultimate expression of technology

The “smallest refrigerator in the world” is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and at play.

“In 2003, when we invented the world’s first truly portable fridge, we had not yet realized the impact our invention would have on the lives of millions of people worldwide who are effectively prisoners of their diseases. Today, I am proud to say that with the iFridge we can transport just about any medication safely, ranging from insulin to procreation agents. In France alone, there are over one million people with a lifestyle that is hampered by their fragile medication. To these people, we offer freedom of movement and freedom to better manage their health, knowing that their medication is always kept at exactly the right temperature”, says Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv.

The iFridge is recommended for the transport of insulin, vaccines, adrenaline, interferons, procreation agents, coagulation agents, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies (TNF/Anti-TNF), covering diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth deficiencies.

iTube: A state-of-the-art technology that answers the daily needs of patients

The iTube is a brushed steel vacuum thermos tube designed for transporting a single heat sensitive medication pen. It is small, light, elegant and uses a thermos vacuum as a cooling element.

The novelty of the iTube lies in its portability, its uniquely compact size, and in its application of vacuum technology.

“Because the iTube looks a bit like a cigar tube, it might at first be seen as a gadget. However, I think that the iTube will be the single most used item by a diabetic on an everyday basis. Since I’ve started using it, I keep it with me at all times, so that when I go out to dinner with friends, I can simply pull it out of my jacket pocket without anyone noticing it, discretely inject myself and then stick it back in my pocket”, says Dr Olaf DIEGEL, head of research at MedActiv and himself a diabetic.

“The iFridge and iTube technologies make it possible to simplify the management of all chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president of MedActiv. “Any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by his or her daily lifestyle, so it is important that we give them the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The iFridge and the iTube do just that and give them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The iFridge and iTube will be available to the public on the site http://www.medactiv.com from December 24, 2010.

About MedActiv

MedActiv is a HealthWorks brand. HealthWorks is the company created by brothers Olaf and Uwe Diegel to develop and distribute their inventions. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat. MedActiv is today a global leader in the development of solutions for the transport and storage of medication.



Contact information:

HealthWorks France

6, rue de Castellane

75008 PARIS, France

Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 66 15 59

Press Contact:

Name: Uwe Diegel

Mail: udiegel@medactiv.com


Images:

iFridge:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iFridge.jpg
iTube:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iTube.jpg


More info:

iFridge:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iFridgeinfoFR.pdf
iTube:
http://www.healthworksglobal.net/downloads/iTubespecsFR.pdf




HealthWorks, winner at the Concours Lépine 2010

Three HealthWorks products won important awards at the 2010 Concours Lépine in Paris at a glittering ceremony under the patronage of Nicolas SARCOZY, President of the Republic of France.

The Concours Lépine is one of the world’s most important platforms for inventors. Held yearly in Paris, it attracts thousands of inventors from all over the world who present their inventions that are then judged by panels of experts in each profession.

For Uwe DIEGEL, inventor and president of HealthWorks France (the company responsible for the development of the Medifridge and of the entire MedActiv range) the three awards are the supreme accolade after many years of research and development.

« There are in France about 1.7 million people who are affected by diseases that hamper their travels because the medication they use is sensitive and must be kept at a temperature between 2 and 8°C. These people are effectively prisoners of their diseases. These medications include growth hormones, medications for poly arthritis, multiple sclerosis, vaccines and anti venoms. The MedActiv range of products gives these people the liberty to travel and to take responsibility for their health”, says Uwe DIEGEL.

The Medifridge was developed in France by two well-known brothers in the medical industry, Dr. Olaf and Uwe DIEGEL, following an incident where Dr. Diegel’s insulin was compromised during the heat wave of 2003. If heat-sensitive medication is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is damaged and very quickly loses its effectiveness. The perfect temperature of storage for these medications is between 2°C and 8°C. They should never be frozen. These factors handicap patients in their travels and daily lifestyle.

The Concours Lépine: an important milestone for HealthWorks

The “Handicap 2010” prize given by the Mayor of Paris for the Medifridge is very important for Dr Olaf DIEGEL and Uwe DIEGEL, the two brothers who invented the Medifridge. The Medifridge is a portable fridge that allows people to travel with their medication. The Medifridge is recommended for insulin, vaccines, adrenalin, interferons, growth hormones and monoclonal antibodies, covering pathologies as diverse as diabetes, poly arthritis, multiple sclerosis and growth problems.

“We presented the first prototype of the Medifridge at the Concours Lépine in 2005 and were rewarded with the “Prix du Premier Ministre”. In 2005 the product was not yet ready, it was just a concept. The Concours Lépine helped us to crystallize our ideas and to really understand what the public was looking for. This is why we went back to our drawing boards to develop during the following 5 years the new Medifridge that answers not only the needs of diabetics, but also of those suffering from poly arthritis and a host of other diseases. Being winners at the Concours Lépine 2010 is directly in line with our company vision which includes a future where patients are not hampered by the intrinsic limitations dictated by their health condition and where doctors are not limited by the intrinsic limitations of their diagnostics material” says Uwe DIEGEL, president of HealthWorks.

A blue sky for those who suffer from chronic diseases

Another HealthWorks product, the Poucho (a new generation of isothermic bags that keeps insulin cool for 4 days without electricity) received a Special Award from the Ministry of Defense and the entire MedActiv range to transport thermo sensitive medication received the Gold Medal of the Minister of Health and Sports.

A state-of-the-art technology that follows international recommendations

Applications for the technologies of the MedActiv are numerous and HealthWorks is already developing new uses of these technologies for other drugs such as anti venoms and the transport of blood samples; “The MedActiv range makes it possible to simplify the management of all the chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL. “Today’s health management is more about managing patients than diseases because any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by her daily lifestyle.”

The MedActiv range is available on the site http://www.medactiv.com.

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks is the company created by the two Diegel brothers to develop and distribute their inventions. The HealthWorks products are sold under the brand MedActiv. One of the most popular products of the MedActiv range is the Medifridge, the world’s smallest fridge for the transport of insulin and other medications sensitive to heat

About the Concours Lépine

The Concours Lépine, created in 1901, is today one of the world’s foremost platforms for inventors to launch their new technologies. It has seen the birth of the Bic pen and of the electric oven. It facilitates the link between inventors and investors and allows inventors to find all the resources necessary for the manufacturing of their inventions.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.fr
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail : udiegel@medactiv.com

The Blood Pressure Oracle - About Blood Pressure

Just a few thoughts about blood pressure

At the beginning of the last century, the measurement of arterial pressure is not yet current. On this cliché taken at the Hôpital de la Charité in Paris in 1918, Emile Spengler measures the systolic blood pressure of Charles Laubry, the man who invented the first upper arm blood pressure monitor, used in this picture. Carried out by the manufacturer himself, the gesture is delicate and photogenic.

The moment is not yet banal.

The measurement of blood pressure has now become commonplace. Anyone can now buy or borrow a home blood pressure monitor that is more accurate than anything that was produced in the last 100 years. However, it is important to use the device in the correct manner to get accurate and reliable results.

A few basics about blood pressure
There are a few undeniable facts and rules about digital blood pressure monitors. These rules are very important but are often forgotten. They are worth repeating here.

Your digital blood pressure monitor does not magically transform you into a doctor.
Your blood pressure monitor is probably really easy to use. It probably inflates automatically, makes cool sounds and then incredibly gives you a clinically accurate result. Isn’t that great? It’s child’s play to measure your blood pressure… Well it certainly feels like it… However, your blood pressure monitor is not intended to replace regular medical examinations. It is there to be used together with your doctor as a tool to better manage your blood pressure. Only a physician is qualified to interpret changes in your blood pressure.

When in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.
The first commercially usable blood pressure monitor was manufactured at the turn of the century. In the 70ies digital devices made their appearance and by the 90ies they were commonly available to the untrained public. According to the statistics from our various service departments worldwide, an incredible 94% of all “faulty” devices sent back to manufacturers show absolutely no problem at all and are simply badly used. Faults can range from silly mistakes such as batteries being put in upside down to using the wrong size cuffs. We have even received devices where the batteries were still wrapped up in plastic. Your doctor has been working and studying blood pressure for most of his life and is an expert on the subject. Please ask him to show you how to correctly use your monitor.

Never make adjustments to your medication unless you are advised to do so by your physician.
As mentioned earlier, your blood pressure monitor does not replace a regular medical examination. Your doctor has prescribed medication for you after a careful examination and it can be very dangerous to make your blood pressure fluctuate by changing your medication or by reducing the dosage on your own. If you suspect that your blood pressure medication is wrong because you regularly get low or high blood pressure readings on your device at home, please keep a regular record of your blood pressure for at least three days in a row and then contact your doctor. He will appreciate the fact that you present all the evidence to him in a clear format. To do so, use a blood pressure passport. There is a multitude of blood pressure passports available out there. You can also download one that I have designed to fit in your wallet on my diabetes company website.

You should know that when the doctor at his office measures blood pressure, there is a multitude of reasons why the blood pressure measured by the doctor can be higher or lower than the one measured at home. One of the most common reasons is what is called “White Coat Hypertension” and occurs when the patient is subconsciously nervous at the medical examination and this makes his blood pressure go up. On average, the systolic pressure will vary by about 30 points during the day, so it is normal for you to have a different blood pressure at home than at the doctor.

This is one of the main advantages of home monitoring, in that it gives you a much better overall picture of your blood pressure over time than the single blood pressure reading that is taken at the doctor’s office.

Do not believe in urban legends or marketing hype when it comes to your health.
When making decisions about your health, question what is commonly believed. There are many “urban legends” about blood pressure, such as salt intake, anti-oxidants in grape seeds and drinking alcohol every day is good for the heart. Although there might be a grain a truth to these kinds of stories, they are not necessarily completely true and are certainly misunderstood. In some of my blogs, I try to demystify these stories.

Digital blood pressure monitors are for adults.
There are 2 main obvious reasons why children should not use digital blood pressure monitors. The most important one is that it is sometimes very difficult to find a cuff that is of the correct size for a child. The second reason is much more subjective, but as important as the first. When you measure a blood pressure the cuff has to be inflated to 30 or 40 points higher than the systolic pressure and this can prove to be quite uncomfortable for children, especially infants who cannot express themselves. Often, as a result of this, they move their arm or cry or get stressed, and this negates any diagnostic value of the reading. Children should not use a digital blood pressure monitor unless it is under the strict supervision of an adult.

Another reason why children should not use automatic blood pressure monitors is that the amplitude of the pulse waves generated by a child is very small (an infant has less than 1/2 liter of blood in his body so by definition his blood pressure is quite low) and more often than not an oscillometric (digital) blood pressure monitor will not “hear” the first “Korotkov” sound on which the blood pressure is calculated and will thus give an artificially low result for the blood pressure.

So what is blood pressure really ?
Blood pressure is the measure of the force that the blood exerts on the inside walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio (e.g. 120/80). The first number is called the systolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is beating. The second number is the diastolic pressure, and is the pressure in the heart when it is resting (between beats). Blood pressure is historically expressed in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury, even though there is no longer any mercury used in electronic devices. It is interesting to note that in most French speaking countries, blood pressure is expressed cm/Hg, or centimeters of mercury, which means that the doctor would express your blood pressure as 12/8 (twelve over eight) instead of 120/80.

It is also interesting to note that most doctors use rounded figures for blood pressure and will use the number 120/80 for any value considered as being in the normal range, so instead of telling you that your blood pressure is 134 over 76, he will quite often just tell you that you are 120 over 80. One could almost say that 120/80 is a generic number for normal blood pressure. We have noticed over the years that this is often a cause of complaints from patients who do not understand that the doctor is using this number (120/80) as a reference only. Over the past 15 years, we have received hundreds of letters from patients telling us that they think that their device is inaccurate. An example is Patient X who states that she would like a refund on her blood pressure monitor because “it is giving me a result of 133 over 84 and my doctor told me that I was 120 over 80”. In fact the result of 133/84 of Patient X is much more accurate than the doctor’s estimation, but it is of no medical consequence because both results are perfectly normal. In this case, the doctor of Patient X just gave her the “generic” figure for a normal blood pressure, which is 120/80.

When the blood pressure is measured, it should ideally fall within a specific range. Knowledge of this range and of your blood pressure should allow you to better manage your health. This is the blood pressure classification chart for adults set by the World Health Organization:

*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re concerned your child has high blood pressure.

**Note: These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or certain other conditions, you’ll need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.

In general, it is better to have a lower blood pressure than a high one. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries get damaged and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems are greater.

Your blood pressure fluctuates greatly in the course of a day. Many factors, such as exercise, conversation, alcohol, stress, movement, food or smoking can cause your blood pressure to rise and fall temporarily. This is why it is important to always measure and record your blood pressure at the same time and under the same conditions every day and to be completely relaxed when you measure your blood pressure.

Uwe DIEGEL
www.medactiv.com

Poucho, a new bag that keeps insulin cool for 4 days without electricity

HealthWorks France has announced a new generation of isothermal bags that will keep insulin cool for up to 4 days without electricity. The Poucho bags use specially formulated gel crystals that start cooling the insulin when they are put in contact with water. The traditional method for transporting insulin is to use isothermal bags with ice packs that last a maximum of 16 hours. To activate the Poucho, it must be immersed in water for about 90 seconds. The crystals contained in the panels of the wallet then expand into a gel, which remains cool for up to four days - relying on the process of evaporation for cooling. The evaporation process will cool the insulin about 10°C from the ambient temperature.

Although activated by water, the Poucho is dry to the touch, because it is then inserted in a protective waterproof pouch. This allows the user to carry it around in his pocket or a handbag. The Poucho is re-usable and can be used either continuously or intermittently. To "recharge" the Poucho, it must simply be immersed in water again for 90 seconds. Available now only in two sizes (single pen and large (for multiple pens and vials)), the Poucho will be developed in multiple new sizes in the near future.

Less travel constraints for people with diabetes

The Poucho is designed for insulin and any other medication that needs to be maintained at a fresh and constant temperature. It allows those suffering from chronic diseases to transport their medication in perfect safety during their travels, at work and on holiday. If insulin is exposed to extreme temperatures, it is damaged and very quickly loses its effectiveness. This is a major concern for diabetics when they travel to countries where the ambient temperature is high.

A state-of-the-art technology that follows international recommendations

Applications for this technology are numerous and HealthWorks is already developing new versions for other medications such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. “The Poucho technology makes it possible to simplify the management of all the chronic diseases that use drugs sensitive to heat”, explains Uwe DIEGEL, president de HealthWorks. “Today’s health management is more about managing patients than diseases because any person who suffers from a chronic disease is defined by her daily lifestyle. But for this, we must provide patients with the correct tools that will give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves. The Poucho does just that and gives them the liberty to embrace a new lifestyle that includes travel and movement.”

The Poucho is on sale through the site http://www.medactiv.com.

About HealthWorks

HealthWorks is a group of companies that work together to develop medical solutions based on the concept of HCD (Human Centered Development). The HealthWorks products are sold under the MedActiv brand. One of the most popular products in the MedActiv portfolio is the Medifridge, the world's smallest fridge, for the safe transport and storage of insulin and other medication sensitive to heat.

About diabetes

Diabetes is a widespread chronic disease characterized by the insufficient production of insulin, a hormone necessary to transform glucose (sugar) into energy. More than 230 million people suffer from diabetes in the world, a figure that should cross the worldwide threshold of 350 million sufferers in 20 years.

For more information, please contact:

HealthWorks France
6 rue de Castellane
75008, Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 66 15 59
http://www.medactiv.com
Press contact:
Name: Uwe DIEGEL
Direct line: +33 (0)6 76 31 29 93
Mail: contact@medactiv.com

Traveling in perfect safety when you have diabetes

Following public demand, MedActiv has re-introduced it's special promotion for diabetics who travel. This promotion joins two different solutions together to cover all eventualities for the diabetic. The two combined products are the Medifridge and the Poucho wallet.

The Medifridge is the world's smallest fridge and is perfect as a storage solution for when you travel, go to the office or take long car trips (it plugs into the car's cigarette lighter). It keeps the insulin between 2 and 8 °C.

However, for people who need to get out of the hotel, to take long rambles in the countryside with no electricity, to go hiking, etc, MedActiv has developed the Poucho wallet which activates with water and keeps your insulin cool for up to 4 days.

With these 2 products combined, the diabetic can go anywhere, any time. Price for the special combination pack of two products is 99 Euro, all taxes included.

Available directly on the French site www.medactiv.fr

Good evening

Uwe