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Select Device Freestyle Lingo Freestyle Libre 3 Freestyle Libre 2 Freestyle Libre 14 Day Dexcom G7 Dexcom G6 Dexcom Stelo Guardian Connect Medtronic Simplera Eversense Meter Omnipod Omnipod Dash Medtronic 780G Medtronic 630G Tandem t:slim X2 Bigfoot Unity Medtronic InPen Tempo Pen NovoPen 6/NovoPen Echo Insulin Pen Afrezza CeQur Simplicity Patch V-Go Patch Omnipod GO Patch Syringe and Vial Beta Bionics iLet Pancreas Control IQ with Dexcom Control IQ with Freestyle Libre Medtronic 780G with Smart Guard Omnipod 5 Tandem Mobi Tidepool Loop twiist DIY Loop Apple Series 6/7/8/9/10/SE (2nd Generation) Garmin vívosmart 5™ Garmin Venu Sq 2 Garmin Venu 3 Garmin vivoactive 5 Garmin Fenix 8 Garmin vivofit jr 3 Garmin Forerunner 165/265/965 Garmin epix (Gen 2) Garmin Enduro 3 Fitbit Ace LTE Fitbit Charge 6 Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitbit Versa/Versa 2/4/Versa Lite Fitbit Sense 2 Fitbit Luxe Google Pixel 2/3 Samsung Galaxy 4/5 Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Oura Ring Whoop 4.0 Withings ScanWatch 2 Withings ScanWatch Lite Pedometer 3D Pedometer
Summary
The OmniPod is the only tubeless pump option. A Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) is used to give insulin doses to the pod, which remains attached to the body. This pump is one of few that is completely waterproof.
Tidepool Loop is the first fully interoperable automated insulin dosing app that originated as a patient-led initiative.
Background: A diabetes non-profit called Tidepool decided in 2018 to officially support Loop and shepherd it through the FDA process. Tidepool Loop was cleared by the FDA in January 2023 with plans to launch with Dexcom and other alternate controller-enabled (ACE) pump partners (RileyLink will no longer be necessary).
2023 Updates from Tidepool:
- Medtronic and Tidepool have decided to discontinue the development of a Medtronic insulin pump system compatible with Tidepool Loop.
- As Omnipod 5 is now commercially available, Insulet is devoting all available resources to their Omnipod products, including the global launch and further development of Omnipod 5.
- Future ACE Pumps that will be commercially compatible with Tidepool Loop will need to be FDA-cleared for use with third-party interoperable automated glycemic (iAGC) controllers.
Components
Omnipod : Pump
Pods come with reservoirs and directions for application. They can be applied anywhere on the body that is comfortable.
Omnipod : Reservoir
Fill reservoir is enclosed with the Pod and used to manually fill the Pod with insulin.
Omnipod : Controller
Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) is used to give insulin doses to the pod.
Tidepool Loop : Controller
Smartphone or smartwatch receives CGM readings and automatically adjusts insulin delivery via insulin pump.
Device Details
Overview
This is a discreet pump option without tubing but will require a controller to dose.
Tidepool Loop is the first fully interoperable automated insulin dosing app that originated as a patient-led initiative.
Affordability and Access
$$$$
Widely covered for insulin-dependent type 1 and 2. Pump can be provided by pharmacy or DME. Price range; 0-$200/month.
$$$$
Pump and CGM supply information is not yet available. iPhone is not covered and must be set up independently.
Data Monitoring Options
Yes
Pump data can be accessed by clinicians on Diasend by Glooko.
Yes
Compatible with Tidepool - a web-based diabetes data management system.
Data View Options
No Options
Yes
Data can be viewed on an iPhone.
Duration and Storage
3 Days
Pod can be worn for up to 72 hours and work from 41ºF – 104ºF.
Pump and CGM information not yet available.
Vision / Auditory / Dexterity
NO text to speech
NO vibration alerts
A LOT of dexterity needed
NO text to speech
YES vibration alerts
A LOT of dexterity needed
Patient Considerations
Active Lifestyle
Waterproof. Wear the Pod in the shower, in the pool, or in the ocean. The PDM is not waterproof and must be charged daily.
Automatic responses. Can set custom blood sugar targets and insulin and carb sensitivities based on type of activity. App automatically responds to blood sugar changes during activity.
Avoiding Highs and Lows
Personalized dosing. Pods can deliver personalized doses of rapid-acting insulin based on the rates programmed into the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) device. The ability to set zero basal rates is not available.
Automatically adjusts insulin delivery. Increases or decreases insulin delivery to meet glucose targets. Insulin delivery settings can be aggressive or conservative.
Comfort
Free of tubing. Pods do not have tubes like traditional insulin pumps, allowing for more freedom of movement.
Low-profile mobile app. Dosing and other adjustments can be done directly on the mobile app.
Easy Insulin Dosing
Customizable dosing. Basal and Bolus in 0.05 increments. No interruption in insulin delivery (pods stay on during bathing and swimming).
Customizable. Can bolus from phone or smartwatch and all settings are expected to be customizable. More information on modifications to insulin delivery will be available soon.
Easy to Use
Fewer parts. The PDM has button navigation. Pod has fewer parts than tubed pumps.
Easy dosing. Software makes most dosing decisions easy to do on the fly.
Fewer Fingersticks
Frequent finger-sticks are required.
Factory-calibrated sensor. Fingersticks needed for backup only.
Privacy
Somewhat discreet. The pod attaches directly to the body with no tubing, but the pod is bigger than an infusion set. Pod does not have vibrate option.
Discreet. Ability to give insulin via watch or phone. Ability to check sugar on phone or watch. Alerts available.