Some healthy reading over at Journal of Diabetes, Science and Technology that opens for discussion one man made barrier to accomplishing not only the artificial pancreas but also many of the step wise advancements that might be discovered along the way. This article begs an answer from JDRF as to how they plan to clear these roadblocks. Hopefully they won’t be spending more millions buying up patent licenses or implementing inferior workarounds. Otherwise their first millions may be a waste of money and could easily require a lot more than what is on the table at present. After all, if JDRF is ready with the cash what incentive is there for the for profit entities (assuming there will be more partnerships like this in the future) to fork over the dough?

From the article, this diagram below shows just how many patents are in play around a closed loop artificial pancreas.

Figure 2. Number of U.S. Patents filed per year related to closed-loop glucose control systems obtained by searching for the terms “closed loop”, “glucose control,” “artificial pancreas,” and “diabetes” combined with the most relevant IPC classes (A61M, A61B, and G01N). Similar terms were considered (e.g., “close” instead of “closed”, or “analyte” instead of “glucose”).

Download the full article from the Journal of Diabetes, Science and Technology website here

The following is my best attempt at transcribing from memory a conversation I had earlier today with my 9yr old daughter; my inspiration for improving the tools needed by patients, caregivers and their medical teams for keeping her healthy while we race for a cure to type 1 diabetes:

Dad: “Have you ever heard of Microsoft?”

Daughter: “Sure. They built our computer.”

Dad: “Do you know who Google is?”

Daughter: “Yeah. They invented the Internet.”

Dad: “Both Microsoft and Google are working to accelerate research towards a cure for diabetes.”

Daughter: “That’s awesome, Dad.”

Dad: “Instead of using what Microsoft and Google already put together, ‘ABCD’ decided to pay a small company to build the same thing. What do think about that?”

Daughter: “Why don’t they just work with Microsoft and Google? Oh, they probably know the people that work for that company. That money should be used to help find the cure, Dad.”

It’s a sad day when your 9 yr old daughter knows when things aren’t right and yet the people you are counting on to make every dollar count for accelerating a cure to your daughter’s disease don’t see it. Even if there is a good reason to bypass existing and more powerful alternatives, those decisions aren’t being made in the open and the people donating the money don’t have the slightest access as to why.

How about transparency in the world of non-profits or do we just not expect the same level of fiduciary responsibility that Obama is asking for from his administration?

Given the state of free and existing communities like Ning (as well as Facebook, MySpace, etc…) and patient registries like TrialX (a description of their patient registry and trial matching service with Microsoft & Google) there had better be a damn good reason why people we entrust with our money (non-profits and the government) spend our money developing web-based services from scratch vs. taking advantage of commercially available and highly cost effective alternatives.

Red Rock Harley-Davidson Celebrates Las Vegas Grand Opening Featuring Hoyt Corkins Celebrity Poker Tournament, proceeds in which will benefit the Nevada Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Saturday, November 8th, DoylesRoom, Curtis & Co. Watches, Team Brunson, Hogs & Heifers Saloon, New Poker, WPT Boot Camp, and Who’s Your Daddy Energy Drink support tournament fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Las Vegas, NV - October 23, 2008 — Red Rock Harley-Davidson is celebrating the unveiling of its brand new 104,000 square-foot Las Vegas store with a three-day party from November 7th through 9th. The “Rock-Hard, Ride Harder” event is open to the public, featuring Hawaiian Tropic girls, food, drinks, music, demos, on-site financing, the new line of 2009 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and the Hoyt Corkins Celebrity Poker Tournament (CPT).

Play with the pros in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 8th, starting at 3 p.m. and compete for the grand prize of a 2008 105th Anniversary Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a WORLD model Curtis & Co. watch, a lead crystal trophy designed by Legacy Alliance, Inc, and Harley-Davidson merchandise. Proceeds will benefit the Nevada Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Celebrity tournament director Matt Savage will emcee the special event featuring guest appearances by Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Tiffany Michelle, Cyndy Violette, Todd Brunson, Pam Brunson, Brad “Yukon” Booth, Chip & Karina Jett, Mark Newhouse, Brandon Cantu, Jeff Madsen, Lee Watkinson, James VanAlstyne, and 2008 World Series of Poker ESPN final table players David “Chino” Rheem and chip leader Dennis Phillips.

Anyone may participate in the November 8th tournament being held at the new Red Rock Harley-Davidson store located at 2260 S. Rainbow, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117. The cost to play in the tournament is $500, and New Poker, “The most strategic hold’em in the world,” will host one-table $60 qualifying tournaments on Friday, November 7th, at the Red Rock Harley-Davidson store for entry into Saturday’s Hoyt Corkins CPT. On-site registration starts at noon on Friday, November 7th. Players will enjoy complimentary drinks from the world famous Hogs & Heifers Saloon. WPT Boot Camp will conduct free poker seminars throughout the day starting at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the event for those who want to improve their game or just learn how to play. New Poker will also host side poker games on the day of the poker tournament.

Saturday’s activities will include a prize raffle, B&B’s cigar lounge, Triumph Sport’s silent auction, and free samples of Who’s Your Daddy Energy Drink. Poker personality Robert Williamson, III will emcee a live auction featuring autographed poker memorabilia. All proceeds will benefit the JDRF.

Tournament seats are limited. Pre-register for the Hoyt Corkins CPT at www.greasiewheels.com, or contact event coordinator Lisa Wheeler at lisa@greasiewheels.com.

For updated event details visit http://www.doylesroom.com/?refid=gwjdrf. The Hoyt Corkins CPT is a GreasieWheels production. For more information on the Red Rock Harley-Davidson three-day grand opening party contact Virgen Advertising Corporation at (702) 616-0644.