The reason that the following devices have been chosen is that they are all virtually non-invasive methods of attaining the necessary input while still performing the same functionalities as their intrusive predecessors.  All of the devices that we propose to use have received government approval by passing many stringent testing requirements.  These input devices are available off-the-shelf in today’s American market and will require minimal alterations in order to be effective in our project.  
Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring System
            Among the various methods of glucose monitoring, we have chosen to use the GlucoWatch Biographer developed by Cygnus.  This device has the ability to monitor the wearer’s glucose levels in non-invasive manner using FDA approved software, which is called the GlucoWatch AutoSensor.  The GlucoWatch Biographer is able to read the glucose levels through the use of an extremely low-level electrical current.  This low-level current is able to extract a small sample of the wearer’s glucose from the interstitial fluid that surrounds the skin cells.  The information that is obtained from the sample is then passed from the GlucoWatch Biographer to the GlucoWatch AutoSensor software.

The GlucoWatch AutoSensor software then analyzes this sample of glucose.  The AutoSensor software then calculates the wearer’s glucose levels using Cygnus’ proprietary biosensor technology.  The AutoSensor is calibrated with a standard blood glucose measurement.  In order to obtain the standard blood glucose level the AutoSensor must go through a warm up period that takes approximately 3 hours.  Following the warm up period the AutoSensor will then measure the wearer’s glucose level every 20 minutes for up to a 12-hour period.  As they are measured each input reading will then be transmitted to the integration device while also being stored within the monitoring device.
Non-Invasive Insulin Patch
            In the current configuration of the AGRID device, the one-use insulin patch must back device the monitoring element.  It is because of this set up that the currently available insulin patch will need to be minimally reconfigured.   The insulin patch that is currently available has no such device to regulate its dispensing properties.  In order to attain the required level of functionality, a chip will have to be placed within the patch.  The chip would serve simply as an extension of the glucose-monitoring device.  This extension’s input responsibilities would simply be the transfer of the glucose sample information from the user’s skin to the back to the GlucoWatch AutoSensor software.
User
            In order for the AGRID device to dispense the required amount of insulin the user must input only a single parameter into the device.  The parameter that will need to be inputted is that of the carbohydrate level.  In order for this to occur the user will simply select carbohydrates option listed on the LCD screen.  Once that is selected, the grams of carbohydrates will then be selected by using the up and down buttons that are located on the monitor face.  This information will then be passed to the integration device.
Integration Configuration Requirements
Integration Device
            To create the prototype for the AGRID device, we will be required to create the integration device that will be responsible for reading in the required inputs.  The first input that will need to be entered into the device is that of the current glucose reading as well as the past two consecutive readings.  The user’s blood-glucose history is to be stored in the glucose-monitoring component of the AGRID device similar to the way that the GlucoWatch Biographer is able to store historical data.  The glucose reading element will then give these three inputs to the integration device.  The other input that will need to be entered into the integration device, is that of the user’s carbohydrate intake.  The carbohydrate intake will be given to the integration device indirectly by the user through the user interface.
Testing Characteristics
AGIRD (Automated Glucose Reading Insulin Dispenser)

            The automated glucose-reading element of the device will need to be tested to determine its overall accuracy.  To test for the level of accuracy of the GlucoWatch Biographer, the results calculated by the monitor were compared to that of the standard finger-prick test.  According to the Cynus’ test reports, the glucose-monitoring element has a 71% acceptable accuracy rate when compared to that of the standard finger-prick.  Based on these results, we estimate that our monitoring component will have a comparable level of accuracy. 

            Also approved by the FDA for medical use, the insulin patch has proven itself effectual in it duties of dispensing insulin through the skin.  However due to our planned modifications, further testing will be required for our modified insulin patches.