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BayerContourNextUSB2017

Page history last edited by jerry 6 years, 9 months ago

BayerContourNextUSB2017

 


 

Introduction/Definition/etc

 

Similar $7.99 from the same store/ pharmacy as

RocheAccuChekAvivaConnect2017

box didn't seem opened, had to get approval,

for price reduction, and like the Metro supplied

change back dollar coins, which I really needed

for other things, but will see, how it all works out...

 

Body

 

Not sure the body is here yet,

will see, don't donate it to medical science

quite yet...

 

Ascensia (tm)

 

AFAICT, Panasonic Holdings bought out

that part of Bayer into something

like Ascensia (tm), which is an odd

name, to me, maybe like the old

(1970's?) sci fi movie, you get a

different or clear palm crystal sign

and you float up the dome to be

zapped like a bug?

 

Euthanasia type social structure,

and people not understanding it

wasn't always like that, in human

history...

 

What was the name of that movie?

I've probably mentioned it online before...

Getting old, and will probably remember

later...

 

Differently Digestive People

 

The people who think those that eat sugar

are bugs, and some of the disabled, who's

digestion is like can only eat yogurt

(Temple Grandin?), you take that away,

and people basically starve...  Maybe

what I had when I lost 50 lbs originally,

going away from bad meds which probably

contributed to the problem in the first place,

similar to white blood count risks

and other problems like some are known to

cause diabetes, that are probably in the

we saw your old med on the class action

suit TV ads, so what are they trying

to sell us now?

/SurvivorAlert(s)

 

 

Unboxing

 

Small little device, compared to others

that are more egg shaped...

But others might be easier to read,

IDK...

 

Might be like the older USB stick

media players, but a better colour

display, and instead of a stereo

with mic audio out port

and input port for the test strips,

with a LED domed shape on the

non USB plug end...

 

Not that different from a swipey

thing for credit card reading, afaict...

Insert credit card to continue,

hasn't changed that much,

cha ching (cash register sound)...

 

Initial Charging Time

 

Out of the box, the LiPo? battery

inside is charged to about a half,

which is a shipping, storage type

charge for those things...

 

It took about 2 hours to charge

the rest of the way to full...

 

Documentation mentions

it only takes about a minute

of charging from empty

to be able to do a test...

 

Going off grid, perhaps,

camping, biking, commuting

on buses, etc, a power brick/

bank, may help, idk...

 

Initial Settings

 

A few tings to set, on first run...

 

Date

 

Month Year, and format MM-DD-YYYY

or similar...  Sort order YYYY-MM-DD

not an option, maybe they can add that?

 

Time

 

Similar, and didn't get it right off,

so not sure where it got something

in the ballpark, maybe system,

and the attempts at java running?

 

High and Low Values

 

It wants to know what good high and

low values are for me/you,

but I don't know,

providers are to tell us that,

according to documentation.

so took the defaults...

 

Sound Off

 

No reason it should annoy me with noise...

Documentation says it will still make

other noises though...

So can't kill it entirely, afaict...

Pulling/ unjumpering / cutting trace(s)

on the speaker lines may

change the circuit current flow,

so might not be an option,

but for really silent people,

testing in the middle of the night with

a sleeping neighbor, etc, will see...

 

Unlike some smart and dumb phones,

no vibrate on this one, that I can tell,

if sound is bad, a buzzer is probably

even more awkward, I didn't know

you were a X,Y, Z...  Here, have

my ketone testing strip, kind of

like women might do with tampons

and pads? /MasculineShrug

 

RPi3 Saw It

 

Plugged into an extra USB extension

cable from the RPi3 (RaspberryPi3),

(documentation says only use theirs,

why? any pin out differences

resistance, impedance and/or shielding?

all cables are not the same

for example, a Garmin one

had a capacitor and wire loop

for interference? iirc)

and the GlucoseMeter was found

on the FreeDesktop,

and I was able to open folders/

directories, and find the included

software files, but only Mac and Windows,

Java existed, and some settings/ cache,

but will see when I find and can afford

test strips where readings are actually

stored...

 

 

Java Problems

 

There is a GLUCOFACTS Deluxe

directory (or similar)

and an updating one (java or script?),

(the usual batch file for startup may

be decypherable, but painful)

it seems to do a checksum on

a file, but no real updating, afaict,

it didn't get that far, to give a

windowed display...

 

Reading the text console display output

java seems to think it's got 64 bit DLLs

(a Dynamic Linked Library,

a Windows term, not java...)

and wants a 64 bit version of java, so

cd /media/pi/GLUCOFACTS

 or similar

java -cp . -d64 -jar GLUCOFACTS.jar

cp is class path here (.)

 to look in the working directory

 where it searches for jar files

  and system stuff

but on ARMHF or similar architecture

there isn't one, afaict...

Maybe it's misinterpreting the architecture

as byte size, etc, will see...

 

There is a main .jar file which it finds

OK (thinking classpath worked),

but still No Joy, yet...  Will see...

 

 

 

Other Meters

 

Same manufacturer/label

 

Newer Contour Nexts

 

There exist ones with BlueTooth,

Link, I think it's called, so this model

was a little old, already 5 years behind,

and maybe why it went on sale...

 

Maybe like a Plus Connect or similar with the

Aviva?

 

Others

 

Besides the Bayer/Ascentsia

 

Oracle Talks

 

There is a talking one called Oracle,

see links, or search for maybe more

on that...

 

Headphone Mic Port

 

There is a cheap simple meter,

with some starting test strips

that plugs into the headphones/

mic/speaker port of a smartphone,

and a carrying case type thing

as an accessory, for Fathers'

Day around $40, IIRC,

will need to find the name,

but you might recognize it,

from that description,

searching around...

 

Supplies and insurance approvals,

given it may be the Canada one,

but maybe that is more Oracle,

will see with more searching...

 

Kid Meters Exist

 

Devices that hook to Nintendo

and other gaming type things

which make things more fun for

kids, so maybe more likely to get

compliance, IDK... 

Kind of like Kid Tablets?

Some ID people might help to have

that, IDK...

 

 

BioHazard

 

Since sharps are involved,

(lancet) and blood, test strips

take the blood, etc,

there is in the documentation

of it being a biohazard,

maybe like a razor, needle,

and other personal low level

medical supply like stuff...

Learn more about it..

Might save you and some others

some problems...

 

Not Even Family

 

No guarantee that even your relatives

aren't infected with something,

so even that is suspect, in

the documentation...

 

Cleaning & Disinfecting

 

Some documentation on a weekly

cleaning and disinfecting.

 

Product specific, it wants a specific

named brand Clorox wipes,

(but gives active ingredients?)

and has been tested according

to the documentation

for about 5 years of degrading

with weekly cleaning/ disinfecting

of a minute or more, iirc...

 

Timed exposure with a bleached

based wipe, but not too wet to

get in the electronics, buttons,

display, plugs, contacts, etc...

More to learn / experience

when I actually sample...

 

Hand Washing Too

 

Before and after the handling

meter system, doing testing,

etc also mentioned.

In non bathroom/ home settings

not sure if alcohol wipes like

wetwipes, etc would suffice

or contaminate the testing.

It may be more like contact lenses,

idk..

Plus add some drying time too...

 

Planned Obsolescence?

 

This reduced cost, late purchasing

one only has a life of about

3 more years, according to the

packaging expiration dates...

 

Test strips probably expire before that...

But are bought separately...

 

Better systems might be around,

and cheaper by then.  I guess the

old school methods would still be

around.  I had a java program

work for about 10 years,

before it disappeared,

from the server, keeping updating

stuff, having open specs, source code,

and software changes, over that time,

make it almost necessary to make

these things obsolete?

 

Plus medical may have FDA and

other patent encumbered stuff,

that the limitations run out on,

unlike Disney and copyright/

MPAA/RIAA, DRM, etc...

/Snark

 

I wonder if generics save lives

more, if available sooner?

 

Free Meters

 

Searching around online,

at least one company

had a free meter offer,

you answer questions online,

and if you qualify,

print a coupon,

with an Rx from your doc,

could get a free meter at a store/

pharmacy...

 

The way I answered the questions,

it said I couldn't, so will see, maybe

just privacy problems, and marketing,

basically lies/misleads? to get info,

subscriptions, contact leads, research

subjects, etc?

 

At about $30-50 for a low end meter,

and test strips being say $30-50/ month,

selling a meter cheaply, or give

away, locks someone in to their

supplies revenue stream(s)...

 

House Pharmacy Brand

 

The house pharmacy brand meter(s)

seemed the cheapest, supply wise,

maybe see if lockin to a local/national

chain, is worth the trouble...

Or just like generics,

I'm being snobbish?

 

Maybe more like a probable conflict

with the store/ chain management,

and then I could not get it elsewhere...

 

Discount Cards

 

Seems to exclude the Medicare

type people, even if they have

no Rx?  Cash Payers, and eligible,

and somehow you can't save $25/month

until the end of the year?

Maybe it takes more of a legal

mind to get that thru the systems...

 

Online Test Strip Co Pay Diviner?

 

So one or more companies makes

it possibly easier to find out how much

the test strips might cost with your

insurance?

 

Is this system so obfuscated that

stuff like that is necessary?

 

 

Data Conversions

 

Two main units of measurement

for usual testing...

 

metric and moles, iirc

 

Exporting to a spreadsheet, given

many different meters. software,

and eventually, maybe try them all

and want to see how it compares...

 

Blood, however, and the timing,

multiple testing from a stick,

and might see if it gives the same

values, kind of like computer

testing and debugging.

Control solutions and calibrations

too, might be a good baseline,

and practice use, with less sticking self,

but gets expensive to do some of that

with ~$1-2/ test strip, lancets, cleaning,

etc...

 

The lancets only probably puncture

for a small sample size (in microlitres?),

the older meters and lancets probably

required more blood, and therefore

more pain, scars, risks of infection, etc...

 

Blood volume and testing has likely

improved, but painless is likely not

there yet... Saw a Japanese cable

documentary show that had

a mosquito like mimicking biology

scissoring blade thing,

and some people don't even feel

some bug bites until later,

(likely a reaction to other stuff,

lubricants,saliva type digestive juices,

etc that the insect creates)

but with R&D, maybe that is years/

decades off...

 

 

A1C Units Different

 

So, if I'm reading it right,

the averaging 60-90 day

A1C test is not directly related,

but there is an online calculator

(one of the diabetes.org type sites)

for what geeky people call

sanity checks, I guess...

 

Time of Sampling

 

While there is an alarm type

reminder on the device, for

minutes/up to 24 hours,

various sources list a

before meal

after meal

and exercise? type sampling

time, wondering how the cyclic

peaks and troughs work with

eating, fasting and what you

eat may make a difference too...

 

Activity Tracking

 

Since other devices also exist

to get activity levels, say with

GPS, accelerometers, gyros, etc

and even old sleep study type stuff,

that activity data may be helpful for

determining calories burned, stress

levels, emotional states, etc...

 

Emergency Type Alerts

 

 

More features some other connected

meters, maybe, include texting a few

(3-4?) trusted relatives/ friends/

professionals with your GPS

coordinates, in case

you collapse I guess...

 

I don't think bring a case of donuts,

ice cream, milkshake, box o' chocolate,

candy bars, etc is what they had in mind,

but I wouldn't put it beyond some people

to hack it or spoof it that way...

 

Maybe someone likely to have

gestational, would get a cravings

device testing, but I digress...

 

Continuous Metering

 

Reading about an implant for

testing continuously,

I guess for very fragile, or type 1

diabetics, maybe...

But mention of infections,

rejecting the implant, etc,

so will see how that all works

out, for others, first...

Say in the MH or other disability

world, someone is demented,

and/or incapable of doing

some things, like blind?

paraplegic and

can't see/ hear / reach to test self,

has no one else to test them

so much, several times a day,

and gets an implant instead?

 

 

Insulin Pump Integration

 

Soem more advanced meters

will communicate, probably with

BlueTooth, to the other devices

some diabetics have, an insulin

pump, to get values correct,

and do some logging, I guess...

Beyond me at this point, but

knowing of the progression,

not eating right, exercise,

get tested, etc, and it might

lead to that, in a dytopian,

motivate self to eat better, etc,

sort of way..

 

 

 

Device Data

 

Copyright 2012 packaging

includes almost a whole side

panel size sticker that mentions

some stuff like:

Expiration date (got a few more yrs...),

lot number, etc

 

High Power USB port,

 

System Software (OS):

 Windows: three versions,

 MacOSX: three versions,

 but not Linux,

Java is listed,

1.6 update 17 or higher,

so might be hope, and

a link...

 

Links

 

"For latest compatibility:"

http://www.BayerContour.com

 

http://ContourChoice.com

 

"for savings, support, special offers, and more..."

 

yeah, carriage return line breaks required

when making links, in PBWorks,

but good luck with that...

Bigger fish to fry, so to speak...

 

Movie name was:

Logan's Run

I had to look it up...

Find a link, sometime,

probably WikiPedia...

 

Conclusion

 

Summary of experience or similar

 

Small form factor with regular type A USB

plug built on, including

  1. rechargeable battery LiPo?,
  2. charging adapter/brick,
  3. USB extension cable,
  4. zippered carrying case,
  5. manuals,
  6. MicroLet2 lancing device +AST
  7. lancets (10) coloured

(using brit English rules, for giggles)

 

The device basically resembles a big

USB stick with a display, buttons,

and on the other end a test strip place...

Says lighted too (a few? colours)...

 

When I get test strips, if I'm still alive,

then maybe this will be more interesting,

but as mentioned previously,

( in RocheAccuChekAvivaConnect2017)

a USB stick version, smaller exists,

and in clearance, so had to get when

available, instead of kicking myself

for not getting it later...

 

(I think that the other one?

might have been the Nano,

but will check later one, maybe...)

 

Small amusements for a geek,

you may see why later...

 

And no, I'm not masocistic

liking pain, needle pricks, etc,

just a geeky device that has

developed over the years,

and given some problems

and family histories,

worth learning more about...

 

 

Discussion

 

A place for feedback on the page presented

 

What risks do you take not looking stuff

up, say you don't have a data plan,

or WiFi not available, or in a rush,

or just because some others might

scoop it up...?

 

Packaging of the device is nice,

just want it to work with Linux,

even if the device doesn't,

the USB cables, charging brick,

etc is probably about that price

in a convenience store anyways...

 

What are the familial risks of infection?

 Parent to Child?

 Child to Parent?

 Sibling to Sibling?

 Any others in the Household?

Does age make a difference?

How so?

 

 

License

 

Creative Commons Share and Share Alike,

Non Commercial, Non Derivative,

for the whole site's contents

unless otherwise explicitly stated

 

Page History

 

20170614 20070510EthicsDignityRiskJerry

  1. Adding more info after opening, charging,
  2. setting, and much more reading and searching...
  3. But still not used the bugger, as no test strips,
  4. yet...

 

 

20170612 Jerry

  • Jerry created this page to log a new device...
  • next would have been better as packaged
  • lower case, but CamelCase demands
  • inconsistencies, which I probably will not 
  • recall without these Page History blurbs...

 

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