Diatribe has reported that Insulet is working to roll out the next generation for its handheld PDM for Omnipod by 2016 that will compete with T-Slim’s touchscreen technology.
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Thank you Kate for sharing the link. Very encouraging. I only hope they don’t add more ridiculous controls to the new PDM like having to verify you are who you are supposed to be when turning it on and giving a reminder to test your BG an hour and a half after changing the pod. I have been using the Omnipod since 2007 and resent having to go through the motion of acknowledging these alerts every day.
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You’re welcome Sue. You never know with these companies, they always put bells and whistles that the consumer doesn’t want and leave off that the consumer needs/wants.
I’m looking at the Omnipod (for the discreetness and PMD), the T-Slim (for the easiness of Temp Basal setting), and the Vibe (CGM integration). It will come down to what my doctor will approve for me to have. I’ll probably end up with the T-Slim (especially if they integrate with Dexcom by year-end), but I do like the Omnipod PMD feature and now with the upgrade touchscreen features it will make Insulet more visible and modern to consumers.
I never understood the added confirmation screens they added on the second generation–seems like the person should have the option to turn that off. I can understand it if you have multiple users on one PMD, but if it is one person using it, the confirmation screen is not necessary. Maybe I’m missing something.
If it were only that simple, but of course there’s a third party in the mix: the FDA. In the development process for ordinary electronic devices the user needs are paramount, but with these gadgets the FDA has to approve the software and interface design, not just the mechanical device. So some of these things get in there to satisfy real or anticipated FDA concerns. As a result there’s an aspect of these things being idiot proofed against the most inexperienced (or young) users.
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DrBB took the words out of my mouth—the FDA…
And in some respects, they are right to somewhat “idiot proof” the thing. And I’m not sure I want a touchscreen pump. I have made enough unintended selections on my cell phone to number in the thousands. It’s an aspect of touch screens that irritates me. I would love to see a longer threshold before a touch activated a selection. It should be user adjustable, in various milliseconds. I’d be fine with the keyboard being “immediate” but would like other screen elements to include a built in delay of x milliseconds.
Please, no. Decide for yourself! 
If not for Tandem, I wonder how much longer it would have taken for Medtronic and Insulet to institute color screens?!
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I think Tandem does have that aspect on their touch screens with added confirmation as well as cancellation option. I downloaded their app on my Samsung phone to play around with it…it seems cool, not hair trigger activation bolus.
The thing I’m confused about still and I think what Sue was talking about is on Omnipod you have to confirm yourself every time you “wake” the PMD–which Omnipod should give you an option to turn off there aren’t multiple people using the Omnipod. In my case if I’m PMDing and Mom’s still ole schooling vial/shots, the confirmation screen is just wasting time for me.
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That’s true Don. I’ve been doing pros and cons all weekend and just printed out my paperwork for Tandem to give to my doctor Tuesday. I like Animas for the built in CGM and I like Omnipod for the built meter and tubeless, but my gut tells me that I’ll need the extra units that T-Slim provides.
I’m a ‘belt and suspenders’ girl and to be safe it would probably be best to go for the T-Slim (with the option of the T-Flex with 480 units). Better to have too much than not enough.
Does Insulet every get patient input when developing a new PDM? It would really help if they did. It sure would eliminate the things that patients do and don’t want.
I agree with Sue too. If you’re the only one using the PDM, why would you have to confirm everytime you want to use it?
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I’m not sure but I think one reason they may have added the confirmation screen is when there are several Omnipod users in the same place at the same time. If they all leave thier PDM somewhere besides right next to them (think diabetes camp) then it would be a good idea to make sure you are using your own PDM when you check your BG and give a bolus. Just an idea.
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Donna,That’s what Insulet told me when I called them. The man I spoke to told me it would be helpful for children at a diabetes camp. That’s fine if it could be turned off. Someone on an OmniPod Facebook group said she sees You Look Marvelous on her confirmation screen. I loved it, and changed mine to that. Now I smile when I see the screen and hit the confirm button!
That’s hysterical, Sue.
Does anyone know the status on the new PDM?
Thanks,
Troy
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Insulet reports earnings after the close of the market today (4 pm Eastern) and will conduct a conference call with analysts after that. Company officials will perhaps discuss the new PDM on that conference call. The company reported early today that it will partner with Mode AGC to develop and implement an artificial pancreas algorithm and hopes to have a trial under way later this year. The algorithm was created by Drs. Frances Doyle, Eyal Dassau and Howard Zisser. Zisser is Insulet’s medical director.
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I don’t remember specifics, but in the last couple months I read that Insulet was re-prioritizing and concentrating on making a cell phone the new PDM. It wasn’t clear what that meant for the redesign of the current PDM, but I would expect cell phone integration first.
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Unfortunately, I doubt we will see cell phone integration for at least a year or two. I would expect a new PDM that incorporates Dexcom CGM readings before then. While Dexcom has proven the efficacy of cell phone integration with its G5 monitor, using a cell phone to actually control insulin delivery is going to be a much tougher sell with the FDA. I look forward to the day, but I think it’s a ways out.
On their last earnings call they said they would have more information during the next earnings call, which as you mentioned in within the hour. They were clear on the last call that the new Gen PDM was being reprioritized to focus on app integration, as @Brhodes mentions. I guess we’ll know soon enough!
I listened to the earnings call. No mention of a concrete plan for a new PDM. I definitely do not expect a new PDM in 2016. Insulet is hoping that they can move the PDM functionality to a phone. They started to negotiate with the FDA.
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i think a new pdm this year might happen or might not, i did look at there last earnings report. looks good to me, but hey what do i know.