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CarbCounter Plus
By mimemike , On 7/9/08 1:53 PM

Hi, I have decided to seperate the Long description from the Short description as many people are most likely finding it to loooonnnnngggggg.....

The project page can be found here

Following is the Long description for those that want more details and information on the project.

Also see the forums for comments, ideas etc.

The Long Description............................


My (almost) 3 year old son was diagnosed as a Type-1 Diabetic in November 2006. This is an auto-immune deficiency that destroys the cells that produce insulin.
Insulin has to be accurately delivered to keep his blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.
This requires measuring the total carbohydrates that my son consumes and regular monitoring of his blood glucose levels.
This is not an easy task as it requires knowing the carbohydrate count of every food item he eats.... this is a lot of information to remember and requires good math skills.
In addition the human body is a biological system that is constantly changing, and because of this the ratios for insulin dosage requirements can change due to many uncontrollable factors.
By logging the carbohydrates consumed and the blood glucose readings the following can be achieved.
1. The accurate amount of insulin can be delivered for carbohydrate consumption and/or blood glucose reading
2. An accurate amount of carbohydrates to consume to correct for a Low blood glucose level (Hypoglycaemia)
3. By constantly monitoring the Blood glucose levels and carbohydrate consumption and biological changes can be detected and adjusted for
4. By logging all the information above it can help with diabetes research, and simplify visits to endocrinologists.
 
Software does exist for PC's and PDA's that lets you record this information manually, but most people still do it manually due to the PDA's needed for the software being expensive, and you still need to carry a scale, blood glucose meter, and knowledge of the food carbohydrate counts.
This is not very practical and is very inconvenient especially when eating out.
After not being able to fine an all in one unit - I decided it was time to make one myself.
This is not just for Type 1 diabetics, but would also be extremely useful for those with Type 2 diabetes that need to control the carbohydrate intake.

There are a number of scales that have a food database built in, but these either require a seperate book so you can type in a code number to get your item, or have a difficult to use  user interface that makes it difficult to find what you want.  The other problems with these is that they are usually to big to put in a pocket, the database is limited, cannot be updated, cannot have favoirites added and is fixed to a single country, also they cannot record the information for future analis (Carb and Blood Gloucose) or calculate the required dosages of insulin.

 The Project

To create a PDA sized unit that combines an accurate weigh scale, blood glucose meter, food carbohydrate database and data logging into one unit.
The design has several key areas.

  1. Connect to a compact weigh scale accurate to +/- 1g over the range 1g to 5000g 
  2. A comprehensive database of food carbohydrate counts (Carbs per 100g of food)
  3. Database for storing carb's consumed and blood glucose readings
  4. A nice color graphical user interface to make selection of food items easy
  5. Being able to fit the entire unit into a pocket or purse
  6. Being able to accurately analyse the data stored and provide accurate dosage information
  7. SD Card interface with FAT16/FAT32 read/write capability for the database
  8. USB interface for updating database and/or boot loading new firmware
  9. Expantion port to allow for the following Future add ons - a. Blood Glucose Meter. b. IRDA Port c. Speech recognition and output.


The Unit

As mentioned the plan is to make a complete unit to fit in a pocket or purse. To achieve this the scale and GUI modules with need to either be one piece (not practical due to ard to see screen when plates used)
or join/slide together to make a compact unit about the size of a pocket calculator or PDA. With the scale separated from the main unit either a wired connection (e.g USB) or wireless connection (e.g. MiWi) could be used. This scale is an add-on to the project due to Digikey not having strain guages to build one, I am looking at some different options and types of connectivity.

Other Uses

With a simple expansion of the database information this unit can be used by
dietitians, nutritionists, sports trainer clients as well as individuals that require accurate logging and monitoring of food nutritional content that is consumed. It can also be used for patients that have special post operation eating requirements.


Expantion Port / Future Add Ons

  1. Blood glucose meter -  This requires accurate calibration and measurement of a chemical reaction that occurs on a test strip.  The sampling require precise timing and calibration to give an accurate reading, or indicate an error. Different brand test strips work differently can uses different electronics and methods, working with multiple strip brands and types would be complex. This future add on requires specific hardware and software
  2. IRDA Communications Port - Most insulin pumps have an IRDA port for uploading and downloading pump configuration, dosage history and other information. Being able to download this information onto the CarbCounter Plus may potentially be useful. Also uploading new settings to the pump could be possible, but requires FDA approvals.
  3. Audible communications - This is for the visually impaired and food selection short cuts. For the visually impared this would be of great assistance.This would require additional hardware (e.g. dsPIC, audio amps, microphone etc) to process the audio.

HARDWARE


Main Unit:

  • PIC32 Micro-controller
  • QVGA Full color Touch screen display (3.5")
  • SD Card interface
  • Li-Ion Battery
  • Power regulators, LCD Back light, Charger
  • USB Dual Role/OTG interface (Host for wired scale or device for upload of database or firmware)
  • Ready for RF Communications to Scale (MRF24J40MA)
  • Expantion port for future add ons.
  • Ready for MIC input and Audio output amplifiers (For Audio interactive addon)

Weigh Scale:

  • Purchased seperatly as an add on  - 1g resolution, 0 to 5KG RangeIf Digikey ends up stocking a suitable weight sensor then the scale design will be integrated with the rest of the project. Until then the optional 3rd part scale via USB, Analog or wireless is available.
  • Looking into alternative methods of weighing that may be suitable so that the scale can be included into the project again. Some options so far include using a pressure sensor or capacitance measurement.

 

MORE POSSIBLE USES OF THIS PLATFORM

Due to the core platfom being reasonably generic and having an expantion port it could also be used for the following and more.....

  1. General Purpose PDA style device for custom applications and education.
  2. Portable Industrial measurement for chemical based applications - For chemical mixing, recording etc
  3. Personal Game / Media Console
  4. Portable data logger
  5. Robot controller (e.g. a MiniBasic console)
  6. PLC Controller interface and programming unit
  7. Automotive tuning console
  8. Industrial Motor control tuner
  9. Remote message console (with wireless module)
  10. Environmental data collector
  11. Much more......

 

 

Average (2 Votes)
600 Views, 3 Comments

  • Comments
Threaded Replies Author Date
Be sure to check out Microchip's new auto-zero... ktretter 6/11/08 6:26 PM
Thanks for that - the datasheet has good bridge... mimemike 6/11/08 8:18 PM
<QUOTE>Weighing scales like you proposed are... Nickart 6/18/08 10:18 PM

ktretter
Be sure to check out Microchip's new auto-zero amplifiers which could be ideal for your strain-guage interface. You can get more information at www.microchip.com/MCP6V0x

Posted on 6/11/08 6:26 PM.

Top
mimemike
Thanks for that - the datasheet has good bridge example that would be useful.
Coupled with a MCP3425 (18Bit SOT23-6) or MCP3551 (22Bit SOIC8) ADC it could be a good solution.
Thanks,

Mike

Posted on 6/11/08 8:18 PM in reply to ktretter ..

Top
Nickart
<QUOTE>Weighing scales like you proposed are already on the market. With a database for ingredients, it totals the amount of carbs, fat's etc. They sell for about euro 30-50.</QUOTE>

Yes they do exist - I even have one, but we no longer use the look up tables on it.

The problem with the ones I have seen are:
1. They are not very portable i.e. not pocket size, but might fit in a larger handbag.
2. Trying to find items quickly is not a simple task
- or you need a seperate book with lists of codes to type in to get the information
3. Canot add the results together to get a total - need seperate pen, paper and calculator
4. They do not log the data from the scale or outside inputs (e.g. Blood Glucose Reading)
5. You cannot add you own custom items
6. Small displays fixed onto the scale, so with large plate on the scale it can be hard to see.
7. Database is not flexible, not upgradeable or is specificly for one country only.
8. No "Favorites" option for commonly used items
9. User interface's are not as good as they could be.
10. They cannot calculate the insulin dosage amount (Mostly needed for Injection treatment type as Pumps often have it built in)
11. Cannot add features like a BG meter, speech recognition, USB interface etc.

Posted on 6/18/08 10:18 PM in reply to mimemike.

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