This week Insulet, the maker of Omnipod gave a presentation outlining their new vision and I think it is pretty amazing. I will give a brief outline but here is the Webcast
They are making mobile development a top priority and are down prioritizing a newer PDM.
Over the current year they will be releasing mobile apps that will work with the Omnipod.
Instead of a new generation PDM, they will give the current model Bluetooth capability. This would be some type of upgrade for current PDMs.
Eventually you will be able to dose from your phone and the PDM will be a backup device.
If they execute this well, then they will be far ahead of all other pumps. Imagine just having a pod on your body and just your phone! That would kill all other pumps IMHO.
I’m sad that we may not see a new cool sleek PDM, but I’ll take my iPhone over that.
I LOVE my Omnipod so far BTW. More people should really consider trying it at least!
I’m sure my daughter would settle for being able to dose, correct, adjust settings, set temporary basal rates, etc. on her iPhone instead of having to schlep around a PDM, whether it’s the current “brick” or a sleek new model. Less is better.
And I agree, IMO the OmniPod is the best pump ever!
It’s my understanding that the FDA recently relaxed regulations for bringing to market secondary displays like the iPhone and the Apple Watch. These device are in a different regulatory category than the Dexcom receiver or a pump display.
What Insulet proposes, is to transplant the function of the PDM onto a smartphone and pushes the regulatory envelope. That would subject the smartphone to the same regulatory scrutiny as an insulin pump or CGM, a significant hurdle. Is this what Insulet plans to do?
A smartphone operates in a much more diverse technical environment than an insulin pump or CGM. This makes sense to me for Insulet to move in this direction but it looks like there’s a whole pack of issues that could torpedo or delay this project. I hope they can pull it off.
Having the phone as a sole display is great until power isn’t available. Phone batteries die in a matter of hours compared to days, weeks, and months of diabetes devices. This past summer we had a two- to four-day power outage in my city that affected well over half a million people. During the two days (thankfully - I live downtown so I think my building was a priority) that my power was out it was near impossible to find anywhere to charge devices. All public places with power were crammed with lines of people waiting to use power outlets. I didn’t have to worry about my pump, CGM, or glucose meter, but trying to keep my phone charged for those two days, even for minimal tasks like occasional texting and checking for updates, was impossible even with a backup battery case. I think I would have been a way more stressed if no phone meant not only no communication with family and friends but also no way to see my glucose readings or control my insulin pump. I think the phone is a great optional display, but give me a dedicated device over just a phone any day.
you do have a point. this will help me but it might not be for everyone. i think i can go a week without having to charge my iphone that is with a backup battery case. but if it dies I’m with out cgm. so it have it up & downs for me.
In the webcast they mentioned that even when you can bolus from your phone - they will still have the PDM as a backup device. The point being -they are focusing their efforts and R&D money on mobile development.
Thanks for the post - excellent news - things are moving in the right direction! PDM as a backup device alleviates some of the concerns @Terry4 raised, so I hope they will be able to get FDA approvals without long delays.
I like the "upgrading existing PDM thing… makes for an interesting discussion – not using Omnipod at the moment, but my script is still good and I could go back to it, theretically (IF the update can somehow fix the issues I was having)… weill have to see…
This would be awesome! I think some people are just so stuck in their way of doing things that an app is scary to them. For me, being a college student, carrying a phone, cgm, and omnipod is extremely inconvenient. I have to go through a mental check list before and after going anywhere to make sure i have all my supplies. Same with work. I work in a research lab and my scrubs do not have enough pockets to fit all my supplies!
I can understand the power outage thing being a concern if they used an app for the omnipod but honestly just buy a backup portable charger for under $10 and youre set.
The new dexcom g5 allows you to just use your phone as a device to read your numbers and it makes things so much easier than having to carry their device.
I really feel that Insulet is positioned to be the leader in this mobile area - along with Dexcom. Since the pod is attached to you there is nothing to forget. Same goes with the Dexcom sensor. Once we can dose from our phone that is all we will need.
Now, this setup doesn’t make too much sense with a tubed pump. I wouldn’t want to have a tubed pump on my waist or in my pocket since the phone will eventually be able to control it. The pod and phone makes much more sense to me in terms of simplicity. I have also found that all those tubed disconnects add up to poorer control. I used to disconnect several times a day. Now, with the pod I never disconnect, and get all my basal just like a non-diabetic.
My former Asante rep steered me toward Insulet for many of those same reasons, @anon85331563. I had some issues with the Pods that I couldn’t resolve, so have not been using it for some time, but who knows… may try again some day…
I love the idea of dealing with less equipment however if you work in a school or even are in school what happens during testing time? The school regulations are no phones in any testing environment. Some schools don’t allow them on campus at all during testing. This would be one huge draw back and a huge concern.
My son has only taken standardized tests through a middle school level. I imagine rules become more stringent in High School. However, his 504 plan specifically notes his cell phone as a medical device and that he is allowed unrestricted access to it.
In the case of Dexcom, for example, he has his receiver as a backup for a testing situation. I would expect that OmniPod would have a similar situation where you could have a PDM as a back up, again allowing for access to medical devices in a testing situation where a phone is strictly prohibited.
Looking fwd to this! I have now been on G5 with iphone and apple watch, completely without the receiver and if I would now have to go back to carrying an additional device it would feel terrible. Same goes for the Omnipod. The only reason I haven’t tried it so far is the pdm itself. Having to carry it around makes the whole thing pointless compared to a plain vanilla pump.
