If you carry an Epipen, or have a family member who does, I'd really appreciate your feedback. If you're interested in helping, please leave feedback in the comments section.

My previous company, Hipster, was recently acquired by AOL, and I'm now in the first steps of starting something new. I'm in the earliest stages of starting a company that will apply "modern technology" to common medical devices.

The first product we're working is a variation on the Epipen. Essentially, we'd be adding GPS / 911 / emergency contact capability directly into the Epipen. Minutes matter when people are going into anaphylactic shock, so the goal of this product would be to reduce the amount of time that it takes for emergency services (paramedics, first responders, emergency room doctors, etc.) to respond to a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Here's how it would work. Once the Epipen is used (injected) by the user, the following would happen:

1) A GPS device on the Epipen is activated.

2) 911 is automatically notified of the user's location, and allergy history / profile.

3) Paramedics / EMTs would be able to track any changes to the user's location (using the GPS), as well as be able to prep the proper medication for the user's condition.

4) The user's parents / emergency contacts would receive a text message / automated call, letting them know that the Epipen has been activated. In addition, they would be able to track the users location using a mobile application on their iPhone / Android phone.

Now, for a few questions:

1) Do you think that this type of function would be useful / necessary for someone who needs to carry an Epipen? Or is this just an extraneous feature?

2) Would this give you peace of mind, knowing that you (or your family member) has this backup on the Epipen?

3) Would you pay anything extra for this service? If so, how much?

Thanks - every piece of feedback will be greatly appreciated!

1.	Ask HN: Need an Epipen? I could use your feedback 1 points by doug_ludlow 13 years ago \| -1 comments
2.	Don't drink and blog - Alexia's drunken Flipboard rant(techcrunch.com) 1 points by doug_ludlow 13 years ago \| -1 comments

user:	doug_ludlow
created:	May 25, 2012
karma:	26