FloBle Customization

[MariosParticipant]

Can FloBle be customized in order to be able to read NFC Libre Glucose sensor?

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Marios, yes it is possible to customize the FloBLE design to fit the Freestyle Libre. This is an option we’ve explored before, so we understand the use case well. Below is a snap shot of the concept drawings we made:

Let me know if you have further questions. Also, if you can share your interest perspective, budget availability, and timeline.

best,
Richard

[MariosParticipant]

This is great! My daughter is diabetic and I would like to seamlessly streamline glycose data to Nightscout.

How is the device attached to the sensor?

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Marios, the design would simply wrap around the Freestyle Libre once it’s been placed on the skin. Waking the device with a knock will allow it to pair with a mobile app like Nightscout and stream glucose data. Our Flomio SDK comes along with sample code to make it easy to integrate the reader with Nightscout or any app you prefer to retrieve and log data from the Libre sensor.

The FloBLE design can run off of coin cell batteries or a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery. With the rechargeable option we have a wireless charing implementation that would allow for the reader to be full sealed and therefore more immune to damage from liquid or dust.

The cost to engineer a custom prototype for this use case is of the order of $30k. A lot of the work is in 1) designing the NFC antenna to properly read the Libre (without damaging it), 2) the enclosure design for it to securely mount on the Libre, and 3) the firmware+app software to properly read and report the Libre data to the mobile device. We have everything else in place, including the PCB layout, general firmware architecture, mobile app data interface, and test rigs (meant for troubleshooting problems). Manufacturing each unit will cost $400/each in low volume (<100 units) and somewhere in the ball park of $30 at volume (>10,000 units).

hope that helps,
Richard

[DParticipant]

Hi Richard

I am also interested about reading the Freestyle Libre sensors, i want to help my sister to monitor remotely her daughter glucose. Is it possible now to buy one piece for 400$ or it is only a project at the moment.

Thanks!

[RichardKeymaster]

It’s only a background project for the moment but definitely something we’re interested in bringing to market. We need to make sure there’s a business case as thus far there’s not sufficient support to carry this through. Do you have any thoughts on how to spread the word?

best,
Richard

[DParticipant]

Thanks for the answer Richard

I found this https: // www .ambrosiasys. com/howit

[RichardKeymaster]

Interesting find. Similar approach to what I was suggesting above. Hard to tell how legit the site is. Might just be a teaser to gauge market interest in the concept given all of the images and illustrations are generated. The founder’s linkedin page suggests some links to silicon valley and possibly venture ties so that may be the source funding the development. It’s not a trivial product to build but also not rocket science so I would probably try them out rather than wait for this thread to grow into something useful.

best,
Richard

[StefanoParticipant]

Good morning,
I’m interested in the hardware part for my girlfriend, which suffer from diabetes, and i was looking for something small enough to wear it on the arm (or maybe to use it as a wearable on dresses).
I’m a web/mobile developer, so i would be able to develop an application for the communication.

Is there any update on this?

Thanks,
Stefano

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Stefano, there hasn’t been any progress on the customization of the FloBLE but there has been some progress on using the FloBLE Plus to capture data from the Libre sensors. We continue to monitor this thread though to see when there’s enough demand for a customization design to make sense. How did you find us?? Were you just searching online? What search terms did you use and how can we improve on that to increase the exposure of what’s possible??

best,
Richard

[StefanoParticipant]

Hi Richard,thank you for your answer. I’m trying to developing this idea, libre with alarms, and I’m looking online since weeks. I found your website looking for a nfc reader with Bluetooth small enough to use, then in the forum I found this thread. In your opinion purchasing a floble plus (or a mini) would be a good idea to experiment in reading the libre?
In Italy many people would be interested in a project like this, more comfortable than the DeeBee Italian project (in my opinion).
Kind regards

[ScottKeymaster]

Hi Stefano,
As you can see above, this product is in very early stages as we try gauge interest. The FloBLE Plus is our most popular NFC reader and would be useful for testing NFC communication with the Freestyle Libre but would be cumbersome to use as a wearable for this use case and we do not have the resources to support development. As Richard says above there has been some progress made with reading Freestyle Libre data with this reader. As for the FloBLE mini, there hasn’t been any progress on the customization of it to read data from the Freestyle Libre. So in my opinion, purchasing a FloBLE plus would be your best option for experimentation.

Scott

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey guys, we have found some funding to explore this project… we will need some sample Freestyle Libre patches to test with. These seem to only be available in Europe and with restricted access. Could anyone on this thread facilitate procuring some for us?? We are pressed for time to apply to the funding source so would need these by next week. I can supply a FedEx account number as well as payment via PayPal for the costs.

Please advise,
Richard

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