We think the most ambitious idea among semi-finalists for Sanofi’s Data Design Diabetes Demo Day came from EnduringFX, which used to be called Activity-based Integrated Data Model (seriously? another good idea on the name change, guys!)

EnduringFX’s president and founder, Jim Stritzinger, looks a bit like a young Tim cook. He’s from South Carolina, and a lot of EnduringFX’s activity is focused so far in that state. He began his pitch noting that American obesity is driving the terrible numbers we’re seeing in diabetes, as well as CHF and arthritis … 42% of the population is projected to be obese by 2030. He showed a heat map for how much of the US South is at risk for diabetes.

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Ask anyone who’s ever had to spend part of their life hobbling around on crutches, and they’ll probably agree that it’s a chore. Running, let alone anything faster than a brisk walk, is out of the picture, and ascending or descending stairs becomes an adventure.

A new product, called FlexLeg, from a couple of mechanical engineers from Brigham Young University in Utah, seeks to make life with an injured lower leg a little less burdensome. Looking somewhat like the Cheetah Flex-Foot prostheses that Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius uses, FlexLeg is a hands-free alternative for people with temporary lower-leg injuries to help them walk with a more natural rhythm than using crutches, and for those always on the go, the ability to even run.

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Avery Dennison Medical Solutions (Chicago, IL) has created a disposable wearable sensor to improve medical monitoring. To establish a strong identity in the quickly growing body monitoring field, Avery Dennison worked with Karten Design (Los Angeles, CA) to optimize the Metria sensor for end users. With a design that draws more from athletic apparel than medical products, the firm sought to design a fitness-inspired product that could be worn comfortably around the clock for approximately seven days.

“Many sensors available today look like bandages,” explains Jonathan Abarbanel, the lead designer on this project, in an interview with Medgadget. “Through design, we wanted to visually message the wearable sensor’s capabilities: it’s not just a bandage; it’s a body-worn sensor with complex electronics that can provide real-time, continuous information about your vital signs.”

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Having received European CE Mark approval in September, Cellnovo out of London, UK has launched its diabetes management system that looks like a smartphone system, but is actually an integrated glucometer, wirelessly connected insulin pump, activity monitor, and cell phone-based data transfer system to share readings with family and clinicians.

To kick off the release of the system, Cellnovo launched a usability trial involving type 1 diabetics whose doctors will be able to monitor their blood glucose levels in real time as they’re being measured.

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Wearable fitness products are all the rage these days, but most of the ones on the market only track heart rate and location, and sometimes temperature and orientation. Students from Northeastern University in Boston have developed Squid, a sensor-laden compression shirt, smartphone app, and internet portal that measures and records muscle activity. The shirt contains four EMG sensors (the “tentacles”) that track muscle activity, essentially recording the number of repetitions of a resistance exercise. It also monitors heart rate activity so you can get a complete overview of your weight lifting sessions. All the data syncs with a companion smartphone app that in turn syncs to Squid’s internet portal. It’ll keep track of your workout history, but you’ll probably want to keep your workout partner to motivate you to do that one last rep.

Here’s a video about the Squid:

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Via an FCC filing we learn of a new device from Shenzhen, China-based Sensixa that can measure and record the movement and orientation of one’s head. The ear-worn device, called e-AR, is actually designed to mimic the human vestibular system that keeps you walking straight and tells you if you’ve ridden too many roller coasters. Besides the three-dimensional accelerometer, the e-AR also contains a microcontroller, battery, flash memory for storing data, and a radio for transmitting the data to a receiving unit.

The e-AR is currently being investigated for use by athletes for such applications as monitoring the effects of painful football hits, but Sensixa is also looking into the device being worn by senior citizens for those times when you’ve fallen and you can’t get up.

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Nike has released its own digital wristband for monitoring physical activity throughout the day.

The device provides readouts right on its face, but can also wirelessly transmit gathered data to an iPhone app or a computer via a built-in USB plug.  Users can then do a more comprehensive review of what they’ve been up to and can adjust their activities accordingly.

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We all know that the ear is a multifunctional, anatomical marvel. We often take for granted its ability to allow us to eavesdrop, to rock out to the latest beats, to hold up our spectacles, and to be pierced over and over again. Last week at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Raleigh, NC-based Valencell announced their sensor technology that uses the ear’s unique physiology to gather vital health and fitness data.

The technology is called V-LINC, and it’s being built into the ubiquitous set of earbuds that you probably use every day. According to Valencell, “V-LINC technology comprises the only earbud-based continuous heart rate monitoring technology proven accurate during virtually any exercise in virtually any physical environment or condition.” According to the V-LINC website, its earbud sensors are able to measure the following biometric data:

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It’s the middle of January, which means that 87.5983% of those who made a New Year’s resolution to become more physically fit have already broken it (not scientifically verified). If you’re one of those in danger of reverting to your former sedentary ways, read on, because a new game for iOS may be your answer.

It’s called FitFreeway, and it’s the first game from software developer BitGym. FitFreeway (and BitGym’s other upcoming games) work in conjunction with your standard cardio machines without the need for any special hardware. When you work out, BitGym knows how fast you are exercising by reading the vibrations produced by your movements and the cardio machines. The iPad or iPhone’s accelerometer picks up these vibrations and translates them into game actions. In FitFreeway, the faster you bike/run, the faster your race car moves. The game also uses the device’s front-facing camera; steering the car is simply a matter of tilting your head to the left or right.

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BodyMedia has announced a personalized feedback system called BodyMedia FIT coach, which makes use of analytics software from IBM to give customized weigh loss advice. This will help people better understand how they progress and help them to accomplish their fitness goals.

The FIT coach will analyze user input, historical and current BodyMedia data to provide personal feedback. The BodyMedia FIT Armbands have already tracked a lot of data of many people up until this moment: using all this information to make a personalized advice can improve the success of consumer’s weight loss plans.

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