Slim, Touchscreen Insulin Pump Coming in 2012

Type 1 and LADA
1

I was surfin the internet and found this article on an new insulin they are coming out with... Some may have heard this, but new to me..

Insulin pumps, which use a catheter placed just under the skin, are ideal for people with Type I diabetes because they allow them to match insulin levels to their lifestyle without injections. However, only a small percentage of diabetics use them. Insulin pumps are often bulky, inconvenient and fit more in a hospital setting than on a person 24/7. Tandem Diabetes Care created t:slim, an insulin delivery system that looks more like a smart phone than a medical device.

BLOG: Mapping the 'Diabetes Belt'

Compared to traditional insulin pumps, t:slim is 25 percent thinner and the first device of its kind to have touch screen technology. It also features a rechargeable battery and USB connectivity to keep up with levels for 90 days on t:connect, the device’s web-based management software. Because the device just receive FDA approval, it still needs to build up its business operations, but Tandem hopes to launch it in the first half of 2012.

Via: Gizmodo

Credit: Tandem Diabetes Care

Sleeker, Slimmer Insulin Pumps Will Improve the Lives of Diabetics

Insulin pumps can be an easier way to deal with type 1 diabetes, but only 20 to 30 percent of the country who rely on insulin use them because they're usually not very discreet. The t:slim, however, looks as sleek as a smartphone, and even features a touchscreen UI so it's easier to carry and less conspicuous to use in public.

About as large as a credit card, the t:slim is 25 percent thinner than traditional insulin pumps, measuring about as thick as your average smartphone. It uses a rechargeable battery and replaceable insulin cartridges for both bolus (a fast acting large dose) and basal (a low continuous dose) deliveries, while a full color touchscreen display makes it easier to navigate settings menus and monitor its performance. And besides charging, a micro-USB port allows usage data and statistics for the past 90 days to be uploaded to a website so users can monitor their progress and better manage their condition.

But since the t:slim was only just approved by the FDA, diabetics finally willing to make the switch from needle injections are going to have to wait until the middle of next year while the company behind the new pump works to get their product support infrastructure in place.

2

I was in two market research projects for this product. It was the first time I saw a group of people get excited about a new product. It's sleek, contemporary, and has a great screen. Well worth looking into.

3

I'm not sure about this. I have had my phone in my pocket a time or two and it made a call without me doing anything. My rear end did it. LOL, I'd hate to have my rear end activate a bolus! It's a good looking device though :)

4

Any idea how many units this will hold?

5

I saw this demo'd at the ADA Expo in Denver last weekend. It holds 300 units. It's a really nice little unit. It's about the same size as my MM 522, but it's only half as thick.

They were talking about integrating with Dexcom soon.

After goofing with it for a bit, I decided I really didn't like it too much. The touchscreen was tough for me to use with my stubby fingers. I REALLY liked the color screen tho, just like I like the color screen on the Ping. If Animas & Dexcom ever integrate, that will probably be my next pump.

6

So your pump will be the animas Vibe (link)

7

In my opinion, today all pumps should be patch pumps as omnipod or small with a remote as cellnovo.
"traditional" pumps should be over, as for user experience.

As for the people which forget to carry the remote and then find at lost, ideally the remote should be their smartphone too, but today it's actually impossible as for FDA ...

8

I don't think it's available in the U.S., yet.

9

It will be available this year, they say: do you need it soon?

10

Great to learn here about the latest pump Chadd ....the statement I question about traditional pumps : " because they're usually not very discreet " ...has never been a problem for/with me ; love to tell the " world " I have diabetes ...part of my advocacy strategy ...!!

11

Well, I have to admit I like my tubed MM pump, because it's attached to me, and I can't forget it, whereas I often forget my cell phone. But it looks like the T-Slim has tubing too? I am investigating getting a Dex, but there will still be the issue of forgetting the receiver, but at least with the pump, and the meter that is always in my purse, I would never get in trouble.

So could be I will wait until the integrated Dex comes on the market, and just won't even consider the Omnipod, because I WOULD forget the monitor (this comes from getting old and developing an excellent forgettery!).

12

T-SLIM, as the Animas Vibe, are all-in-one: a tubed pump with integrated receiver and display. So they fit your requirements very well ;-)

(french link with some images of Vibe CGM near the end: link)

13

Does anyone know when the Animas Vibe will be available??? I have become reliant on my Dexcom CGM, and am interested in a pump, but want both in one (Vibe), and want something that I won't drown easily (also Vibe)...

14

Oooooo, me want!

15

If they just put Phone software into this thing, I would buy it in a second. I hate carrying extra stuff. I already dumped my dexcom because I could never keep track of it and I went with the MM sensors. I prefer the dex but I know myself too well.

Besides I ruined one dex receiver by getting is splashed with water.

There is however a way to use dexcom sensors with your MM pump. You need to ask a dex engineer to translate the codes and there is a setting on your pump too that needs to be changed.

I would tell you how, but it requires having the codes translated which I can not do.

I had 15 Dex sensors that I used with my MM pump , and then I switched over to Mm sensors when my Dex transmitter stopped working.

16

I've never been interested in an iphone, however this looks amazing..

17

I also played with this unit at the ADA Expo in Seattle in April. I found it pretty nice. I liked it's size and the screen is very readable compared to my Cozmo which is impossible to read without magnifying glasses. I found the touchscreen very easy and responsive. the fact that the reservoir does not protrude past the pump is also good, it does have a short length of tubing which is less intrusive than most other pumps. I'd prefer a patch pump that integrates with a CGM and smartphone to cut down on so many devices to carry, so for now I'll just continue using my Cozmo until it breaks.

If I was just starting pumping and couldn't wait for something better this would be a definite top of the list consideration.
I really liked it!

18

I'm not too fond of iPhones, I honestly prefer my blackberry. With the new BB10 OS, wouldn't it be cool to have a phone/meter? that read both Dex and Ping? That's my ideal device. All in one is best. I hate walking around with every pocket filled with a device. Feels like I'm the stay puffed marshmallow man from Ghostbusters.