We at Pancreum (www.pancreum.com) are conducting research and development leading to the development of an artificial pancreas. We need some USED sensors to study them. If you'd like to help, please send us a few used sensors.
We only need about 5, so please post if you are sending them, so we can inform everyone that there's no need to send more.
Address: Pancreum LLC
Att. Gil dePaula
920 Webster St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Let us know if you'd like us to pay for shipping.
Thank you!
Best regards, Gil
gdepaula@pancreum.com
+1-978-500-3991
I have one in my thigh right now, but it is only on day 17 so I will probably get at least another week out of it, but you're welcome to it when it's done. Only problem with sending it is I believe it might be considered "medical waste" and therefore regulated by some governmental body ?
I've been alerted me that I forgot to add shipping instructions for "used, biologically-contaminated medical devices". Here we go, for the USPS:
-Must be sent via first class in special packaging. -The outer package must have a USPS authorization number on a nonreturnable label that includes a 24-hour phone number to be used in the event of damage or leakage (Section 124.35, domestic mail handling). Note: Use my number - 978-500-3991.
-Sharps require a puncture-resistant primary container placed inside a watertight secondary containment system, which may consist of more than one component. Any plastic bags should be a minimum of 3 mil thick, reinforced with a fiberboard sleeve.
How about if I shipped it FedExp ? I just had to return a pod that had occluded to Insulet and there was a FedExp package the only requirement was using their packaging which included a box and 2 bags, but there was not special information on the shipping label or outside of the shipping envelope.
Yes, if you follow FedEx's requirements, that's OK as well. If you'd like, after you send it, let me know the shipping costs and we will refund that to you.
No worries, Fed Ex doesn't have much in the way of requirements and I can easily do it from work without any cost, I'll let you know as soon as it craps out and give you a tracking number. It's G4 if you would like the lot number I still have the rest of the box.
I believe the only real 'sharp' involved in the Dexcom sensor is used to inject the enzyme embedded thread that does the real brunt of the work for the Dexcom. That's a completely separate (and large) plastic device with an integrated needle in it that shoots the thread below the skin. So far as I know there is no 'sharp' left under the skin when you wear the sensor. That would be bad right? Imagine if it broke off...
I am talking from conjecture and hearsay here though. Perhaps a call to Dexcom might be warranted to get the real skinny on it.
The metal needle is used to introduce the sensor but it is withdrawn and the only "sharp" bit I guess is the sensor wire itself which is about the size of a human hair and not very sharp at all.
Oh, I see. I think I understand how they do it now. Thank you Michael and Clare for the "lesson" on the sensor. What we really need is the sensor/thread that stays inserted (and actually senses the glucose) along with its wire/connection.
But if you'd like to send us the needle used for the insertion, we could check that out too.
Thank you very much!
Gil
I actually have one of those insertion devices in pieces I wanted to actually see what the needle looked like and how long and big it was. But I'll send the insertion device once I apply a new sensor - day 18 this one is still plugging along.
I swapped out my sensor this morning. I will put it in a FedEx package to you today. Ground should be there by Friday or Monday at the latest. I will include the insertion device.
