A “patch pump” is a device that adheres to the skin, contains insulin (or other medications), and can deliver the drug over a period of time, either transdermally, or via an integrated subcutaneous mini-catheter.
Some of these patch pumps communicate with a separate controller device wirelessly; others are completely self-contained.
These devices will need to be reapplied on a frequent basis, such as every-three-days.
Listed alphabetically by manufacturer.
Available as of June 2009
Insulet Corporation “OmniPod” (http://www.myomnipod.com/) “The world’s first tubing-free system is discreet and durable. Wireless and watertight. And incredibly easy to use. The Pod holds and delivers your insulin- — just use the adhesive to apply it almost anywhere on your body. The PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) wirelessly programs your personalized insulin delivery, calculates suggested doses, and has a convenient, built-in FreeStyle® blood glucose meter.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
In development:
Altea Therapeutics “Passport” (http://www.alteatherapeutics.com/) “The insulin skin patch is targeted to be the first non-injectable daily insulin product designed to achieve sustained basal levels of insulin. Safer and more effective than injected long-term insulin products - The insulin skin patch maintains more constant basal levels while avoiding the insulin depots often experienced with needle injections.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Calibra Medical “Finesse” BioSpace news story states that “Calibra Medical Inc., formerly known as Seattle Medical Technologies Inc., has raised a $35 million Series B to launch a device designed to make insulin therapy easier and more discreet.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Cellnovo (http://www.cellnovo.com/) Per Advent, Cellnovo is involved with “Development of next-generation small disposable insulin pumps” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Interstitial NS (http://www.interstitial.com.au/technologies/transdermal-delivery/) “NanoMAPs utilise the delivery of nano-structured, large molecule therapeutic drugs, hormones and vaccines across the stratum corneum of the skin… The NanoMAP platform has been demonstrated and is under further development for the delivery of nanostructured insulin.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Medingo (http://www.medingo.com/) “Solo Insulin Dispensing Patch — the smallest, thinnest, lightest, most discreet and flexible insulin pump with no tubing… The Solo System has two parts: a miniature insulin dispensing patch and a remote control, which allows you to completely personalize and guide your patch for your body’s insulin needs.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
MedSolve Technologies “Freehand” (http://www.medsolve.net/products.html) EndocrineToday.com article describes it as “remote controlled, 80% smaller than OmniPod.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Medtronic MiniMed Product Information (http://www.minimed.com/products/) has no information, but Entrepreneur describes the product as follows: “The disposable patch, which is slightly thicker than a nicotine patch, contains a computer chip, insulin, a small pump and a needle. Doctors can program how much insulin the patch will release, and officials say the needle is painless.” Medtronic’s CEO, on a video, Medtronic CEO on Diabetes, displays the device (at about 3:02 minutes in of the video), and says it may be available “about a year from now” (the interview was recorded June 2009 at the ADA meeting). [Added 20Jun2009.]
Debiotech S.A. Nanopump (http://www.debiotech.com/products/msys/insulinpump.html) “…two parts: one re-usable part (that contains the electronics with a large display, vibration alarm, buzzer and programming capabilities, as well as remote communication for distant programmation and control) and one disposable part (with the reservoir and the pumping mechanism, as well as batteries) for an up to two weeks’ treatment.” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Nilimedix (http://www.nilimedix.com/?p=products.patch) “Insulin Pump and CGM on one patch… A revolutionary Insulin Pump system, enabling comfortable, precise and safe insulin management, combined with the unique CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) system” [Added 20Jun2009.]
Valeritas V-Go (http://www.valeritas.com/vgo.shtml) “New 510(k) for the V-Go and its Filling device was submitted and is currently under review by the FDA.” “once-daily, disposable insulin delivery device that provides a preset basal rate and on-demand bolus dosing for mealtime coverage via a mealtime insulin.” [Added 20Jun2009.]