Interesting insulin pump option pending approval I saw over at [DiabetesMine][1]. More information at [hellokaleido.com][2]
[1]: http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/kaleido-color-pump#5
[2]: http://www.hellokaleido.com
[1]: http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/kaleido-color-pump#5
[2]: http://www.hellokaleido.com
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That pump unit would not last 2 hrs on my arm. One brush walking by something would tear it off as it is so big. (just took an insertion set off arm a few weeks ago at work trying to walk by an office chair.)… Other spots on body might not be so bad.
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I guess the real point of comparison there would be how it stacks up against the Omnipod, right? I’ve never used one but my understanding is that over the years they’ve put a lot of effort into reducing the profile of the reservoir/infuser. Not sure what advantages would offset having such a bulky thing as this glued onto you in addition to the infuser. Like @JC14 I have had no problem accidentally yanking even a standard infuser off when disrobing or walking by some obtruding piece of furniture. Just going by the picture of course, but I’m dubious.
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I used an OmniPod for five months and I had no problems with scraping it off my arm. What I did have problems with was occlusions and loss of site absorption. The O’pod only delivers an angled cannula insertion and for some reason that seemed to set me up for early failed sites.
This Kaleido setup uses 90 degree Insets, an infusion set that works for me now. After wearing the OmniPod I am not a big fan of the advantage of going tubeless. I was caught a few times leaving the house without the controller, something a tubed pump user doesn’t worry about.
This setup is mildly interesting to me but I don’t see any compelling reasons to make a switch. A pallete of colors to choose from doesn’t interest me at all and that seems to be a marketing emphasis. But I was never big on any of the color options with other pump offerings. I rank competence over pretty every time. A pump for me is all about a wide array of proven technical features, overall ruggedness, and good customer service. A choice of colors ranks way down the list.
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Also too: having linked over, I think that is perhaps the most annoying and uninformative website I’ve ever seen, considering they’re dealing with a medical device. If I didn’t know it was an insulin pump I would have guessed Groovy New MP3 Player, Hotcha! I mean, I get that they’re trying not to be stodgy and to be appealing to “younger people” (quotation marks used advisedly) but there is such a thing as trying too hard. I am not a “young person” but is there any “young person” who doesn’t cringe at copy like this:
Kaleidoers are a fun-loving, fast moving and most importantly, a super eclectic bunch. And hey, that’s cool – variety is the spice of life, right? You want your pump to look good – you wear it everyday, after all! – and you need it to slide into your lifestyle and have your back, no questions asked
Or this:
We’re pretty proud to stand out, but if you want to be discreet, no biggie. Our wireless handset is easy to use and perfect for avoiding any unwanted attention – and any unwanted tubing . Whoop whoop!
Maybe it’s just me being an “old geezer” and “not with it” like all the young “hep cats” today, but seriously, I’m fairly confident that were I 16 I’d feel like whoever wrote that should be taken out and shot.
As to any actual information about how it works or what are the practical advantages of the delivery system, if any, all I could find was this, which raised more questions than it answered:
The Kaleido system is made up of two pumps, one handset and a regular delivery of additional supplies – that’s a box that comes straight to your door, without the need to place an order, jam-packed with everything you need to use your Kaleido until your next delivery arrives.
“Two pumps”??? Huh? Why? And anyway I only see one…?
On the positive side (I think), they do at least seem to get that user interface design matters, which I gather is the big selling point, though there’s hardly much more detail about that other than “hip lingo the youngsters will identify with, right boss?” at least that I saw. That last graph also suggests that they’re pursuing a subscription-type business model like the one Bigfoot is looking at, which is interesting. But the site was so off-putting I didn’t want to drill any deeper.
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I agree @DrBB - the concept is hard to follow. I think the DiabetesMine article actually provides more information than I found on the product website.
I believe the two pumps they are referring to are the pod looking things that the user wears. A user can pick two different colors are part of their initial package. They rotate the use of the two pumps, which allows the user to charge them when out of rotation.
Thanks @Lorraine–I’ll check it out. Didn’t mean to reflect any negativity toward you for posting this btw., I’ve just been in marketing departments for a long time and I keep a kind of personal Bad Marketing Hall of Fame, for which their own website is definitely a contender.
I absolutely, 100% did not take it that way at all. 
I thought this pump was an interesting pending entry to the market. The Diabetes Mine interview doesn’t hold much back and I tend to share Mike’s opinions.
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I think it looks great. The omnipod seems like a great way to go but it is quite unattractive. This new pump is small enough. And that was a great site reviewing all the upcoming pump innovations. I don’t like the three hour maximum on the temp basal. I’d like a bolus only pump but unfortunately I sometimes have to change my basal without forewarning.
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