The long-awaited Apple’esque t:slim insulin pump from Tandem Diabetes Care is finally through FDA! This is the new full-featured pump that looks like a mini iPhone, with the first-ever color touch screen for insulin dosing. When it hits the market in the first half of 2012, it will also be the smallest insulin pump system available, “sized like a credit card and slim as a smart phone.”
Tandem is understandably proud that t:slim is one of the first insulin pumps to be cleared under the FDA’s new Infusion Pump Improvement Initiative, which addresses safety problems and “design deficiencies” in current pump systems.
We’re understandably delighted to see that Tandem is using the tagline “Design Matters,” in its promotional materials and talking about how important patient input is to creating a form factor that people can — and want to! — live with. This hails back to our Open Letter to Steve Jobs in 2007 and of course the DiabetesMine Design Challenge contest that grew out of our call to action. In fact, Tandem says they interviewed thousands of PWDs (and also healthcare professionals) in the lead-up to building this product, “… and the clear message we heard was, ‘make it cool and make it uncomplicated to use. Give us access to the most advanced features without extra effort.’” Yuppers.
Now, let’s talk about the product they’ve designed:
Yes, it’s a tubed pump, but what makes t:slim different is its consumer-pleasing face and tiny size. It is reportedly 25% slimmer than the Animas Ping and MiniMed Paradigm pumps. And it still sports a 300-unit cartridge. Its “vivid color touch screen” lets users scroll and finger-click through settings and commands just like you would on an iPhone or iPad.
It also reportedly delivers insulin more accurately, based on a special patented “micro-delivery infusion method” that allows for much tighter control and monitoring of the amount of fluid flowing out of the pump. (Karmel Allison does a great job of describing the history and details of that technology here.) So you get more precise dosing and a simpler, more compact mechanism.
The other element that allows for the tiny size is switching from regular, commercial-sized batteries, even Triple A, to an “eco-friendly rechargeable battery” that’s more the size of watch batteries. The pump is recharged using a “universal USB cord, like you would a cell phone,” spokesman Steve Sabicer tells me (anyone remember him from his previous job in media relations at Medtronic? Small D-world).
I thought the need to recharge might be a drag, but Steve says people like the “green appeal” of recharging, and the battery life can be extended indefinitely if you “top off the tank” daily. If you don’t charge inbetween at all, the pump has a 7-day lifespan. Charging the t:slim’s battery from empty to full takes approximately 2.5 hours, I am told.
Does it come with data management software? Yes, of course. t:slim will launch with a web-based program called t:connect, which is PC and Mac compatible. (Do we hear whooping from the Mac crowd?) All you have to do is plug the pump into your computer with a USB cable and click “upload.” You can recharge the t:slim pump at the same time. A nice addition is the fact that t:connect will support a half-dozen popular glucose meter models, too, including OneTouch, FreeStyle, and Accu-Chek.
So how do you wear this little guy clipped to, or underneath, your clothes? If it’s about design, then it’s about how you’ll wear it, right? All Steve could tell me at this time is that t:slim will come standard with a close-fitting protective case, holster, and a screen protector, and that “fashionable cases will be available separately to meet users needs and lifestyles.” OK, good to know.
Since the t:slim’s not out yet, we couldn’t get any details on pricing or reimbursement, nor were there any existing users to interview. But Peter Nerothin, type 1 PWD, advocate and Ironman triathlete of the group Insulindependence, was privy to an extensive demo and plenty of “button-pushing” to explore this new product a bit.
“A big feature for me is that it’s gonna be waterproof — because of all my sports,” he says. Peter’s currently taking a “pump sabbatical” since his Medtronic broke down. Would he go for the t:slim? “I’m excited about it because it’s something fresh and unique. It feels modern and sexy. I switched from a Blackberry to an iPhone recently and I’ve been excited about it ever since. I feel like that’s the kind of leap we’re seeing with this pump.”
“If it works as well as it looks, it’ll be a big success,” he says, adding that “kids and adolescents may be more inclined to use a pump if they’re seeing something with this kind of iPhone-ish appeal.” True, but the really young’uns will have to wait; current FDA clearance is for patients age 12 and over.
Going forward, you can follow t:slim’s progress via Tandem’s brand new social media presence: @tandemdiabetes, use hashtag #tslim, or at www.facebook.com/TandemDiabetesCorp.
Hmm…what do you do for basal insulin while the pump is charging? I think charging a pump is a weirdo idea myself, and Id also worry that the screen would crack or SMASH …kinda like a cell phone also seems to do in our house
I love the look and the fact that it’s slimmer!! There are 2 things that concern me though – the touch screen and the charging. I need to know more about these two features before my mind would be made up completely.
I had the same thought as Kelly about charging the pump. While the pump is plugged into the USB port to charge up, are you also sitting there plugged into the pump? =b
@Kelly – the recharging thing bothered me, too. Steve says you only need to “plug in” for a short while each day, and maybe folks can do this while working at their desks or something — but I’m imagining (I would) forget about it and jump up, pulling my infusion site out!
He also suggested charging while you’re showering, when you have the pump off for a little while anyway. Still a hassle? I can only imagine, since I wear the OmniPod.
This is exciting and it does look “cool,” and the whole better accuracy thing and multiple-meter connections is appealing. But I too am concerned about the durability of this pump – not even the walking into wall corner potential, but what if I roll over onto it while sleeping? Having a CGM-compatible pump to me seems to where we’re going and that’s become a deal-breaker for me… if this doesn’t have that or support the potential, then I’d look elsewhere. And honestly, what kind of name is t:slim?… I will now refer to it as the Slim Pump, because that sounds better to me. I’m curious to learn more about this Tandem pump, regardless.
Glad I am not the only one whose first thought was of recharging the pump and what to do with insulin delivery when its being charged. Not for me. In 2-1/2 years I am due for a minimed upgrade and I hope they have a tubeless pump available by then.
My only worry is that yeah, it looks really awesome and like an iPhone and all, but what’s going to stop someone from thinking it *is* a new phone of some sort and trying to snatch it? I’m all for going modern, but call me geeky – I still like the “medical” look of my pump verses my sleek, cool Android phone for safety reasons.
Another thought: I can just envision the extra security guard conversations now, trying to convince them at a courthouse or airport that this is, in fact, NOT an iPhone even though it looks like one.
I previously heard that you would get two, so one could charge while you used the other one. Is this no longer the case?
A friend just told me about Cellnovo (www.cellnovo.com), another pump that is in development or not yet approved for use. On their website, they talk about getting two, so you can use one while another charges. Perhaps that’s what you were thinking of? (It looks like a tubed pump/pod hybrid, where the reservoir/pump can be out-of-reach but not covering the infusion site, while a remote handset handles the controls)
I love the design and smaller form factor, but as Mike mentioned, I’m a little disappointed in the lack of CGM info. I gather that the t:connect software works with mulitiple meters…is there any meter integration with the pump itself? Call it sheer laziness, but I appreciate not having to enter my bg every time I bolus with my MM pump.
Can anyone think of any advantage that current tubed pumps would have over this design, other than maybe hassling with recharging? Waterproof, smaller, modern, discreet design. Presumably the bolus features and ergonomics are equal or better. Could be a big hit with kids (once approved). Custom audio tones would be smart. Hopefully it will sport the highest quality, most responsive touch screen possible. I constantly re-press the screen on my touch screen phone.
I can’t think of any reason why our regular pumps would be better then this one, but I can see a heck of a lot of good reasons why this newer one is better. I wonder if they could add some technology to it like a One Touch emergency call (pre-programmed emergency number)
I LOVE the charging battery idea. I mean, what in my house does’t need charging now a days anyway? There are plenty of times when my little girl asks for a 15 minute break from wearing a pump, so that would just become charge time, or like someone else said, shower time would be charge time. They have USB to outlet converters out there, so you wouldn’t always need your computer I imagine.
I don’t like the charging issue. I consider that one of the weaknesses of the Dexcom, and I really like the security of carrying a backup battery with me for my pump.
As others mentioned, I think the lack of a CGMS is a deal-breaker. I’m due for a new pump in about a year and a half. Unless the new Medtronic Enlite sensor is much better than their current sensor, my next pump will be whichever one is integrated with the Dexcom.
Even though this new pump looks “cool”, features such as CGMS are much more important to me than coolness.
I think my daughter will love it, I will worry though about charging and emergencies like blackouts. But day to day I am sure you could charge for a few minutes in most cars on the way to school, etc.
I don’t see the big deal about this pump. I have been using the omnipod for 5 years and that is a 21st century pump which by the way does have a color screen. there are no tubes which this product can’t claim. Other than the i-phone look I think it will be a bust. If the fda ever gets around to approving the new version of the omnipod that should sport a better screen w/b integrated into dexcom and w/b 40% smaller.
looks cool. I would definitely try it. Kudos to them for making it waterproof.
I use a lot of insulin. How big is the cartridge?
@Bob, 300 units as much as Minimed.
Based on the video that was in their press release, which included some footage of a bolus being programmed, I am not impressed.
The screen is big but the words are very small.. The keypad offered for bg and carb entry looks like it would be easy to make a mistake. I have enough trouble getting the 4 digit number right to unlock my i-phone.
The button used to ‘enter’ a value or move to the next step jumps all over the place, seems like a game of ‘wack-a-mole’ ..
I also do not see a way to change the bolus calculation value before delivery.
There is a big difference between ‘looks like an iphone’ and ‘works like an iphone’.
“I thought the need to recharge might be a drag, but Steve says people like the “green appeal” of recharging, and the battery life can be extended indefinitely if you “top off the tank” daily. If you don’t charge inbetween at all, the pump has a 7-day lifespan. Charging the t:slim’s battery from empty to full takes approximately 2.5 hours, I am told.”
So I either need to connect a USB cable each time I sit down, or else sit for 2.5 hours without moving once per week? Really, I hate throwing batteries away, but this seems kinda stupid. Why not give me two rechargeable batteries I can swap out once per week?!? (Current meters won’t accept rechargeable batteries.) And how can it be waterproof and have a USB connection? Unless there is some complex cover over the USB connector which would make this even more annoying. Note my current meter communicates wirelessly; no USB cable necessary. (And I’m not worried about being assassinated wirelessly.)
“Peter’s currently taking a “pump sabbatical” since his Medtronic broke down.”
Really? They come with 4 year warranties, and give much reduced replacement rates after 2 years!?!
“It also reportedly delivers insulin more accurately,…”
Umm…more accurately than what?
I don’t see how recharging daily adds value. But most importantly I know which buttons to press when I’m in a restaruant/meeting etc… having to take out the device and look at the display in order to get this working is a no-go for me. However I understand the advantages of this smaller pump as well; thaks for bringing technoogy to diabetes!
@Jill – the more I think about it, though, I think the charging issue is gonna be a real problem for kids. They’re the least likely to remember (or bother) to charge regularly, right? And what if the battery dies while they’re at school or something? Errr.
I’m using a 4G phone (Verizon) which I have to recharge at least once a day, sooo I’m used to that! OTOH, this a pump, not a phone. I hope they provide a wall charger that is managed to optimize the rate to minimize any battery damage. I have 6-8 hours that I don’t move very much (overnight) when I could charge. It would be nice if they can make the battery replaceable as well as rechargeable. Then one can carry a spare. I just don’t know if they can do that, make it waterproof AND keep the form factor. It’s a classic engineering problem: choose two of the three above. But one can wish.
I know CGM has come a LONG way in a short time, but for me, I feel the cost and reliability are not quite there. What I hope it has that has not been mentioned is a remote. They may have a radio interfaced and will bring out a remote later (*pure speculation*). If they are planning a remote that is a meter, ala Animas, maybe they can add CGM-ing later.
As far as the GUI, that’s software and can be easily changed. The current models are pre-production so could very possibly not have a final version.
I’m excited and interested, but will wait till we see the final production version. I just hope my Deltec can last till it comes to market. Otherwise it’s an Animas for me. A second generation Tandem might be significantly better anyway.
“What if the battery dies while they are at school or something?” Batteries can die whether you’re using a rechargeable battery or a AA battery. If the rechargeable battery dies, they can plug it in to recharge it. If your AA dies, you have to go buy a new one. I like the fact of the rechargeable battery. You take your pump off to shower anyway. Just plug it in on the bathroom counter each day when you shower and you never have to worry about it. Or plug it into the power adapter in your car when you are driving to work. How much more easy can you get?
I think this pump has a lot of potential, especially for college kids, who spend a lot of time on their computers, making it easier to charge. The rechargable battery will certainly cut down the costs of buying new batteries, and cut down the stress of “oh god i thought i had another battery i’m two hours from home and no more money i wonder if they take checks.”
The only thing i’m worried about is how fragile it is. Would it break if i rolled over onto it at night? my pumps take quite the beating. And people already mistake my pump for a phone once a month: now they would just think i had gotten a cooler phone.
@ mike: All you have to do is show the guard the tube going into your skin, and they back right off
The charging didn’t even cross my mind until reading these comments, but I do have two other concerns. (1) Inadvertently pressing things on the touch-screen, as I often do with my phone. I assume there’s some sort of key-lock, but even if I want to bolus and my hands are wet (always a good idea to wash hands before testing or eating, even if I don’t!), the water might cause the device to go haywire, like it does to my phone. And on the issue of water…. (2) how is it waterproof with a USB connector?
(1) touch screens are usually heat sensitive, so it might not work but it wouldn’t cause permanent damage or cause it to go haywire. There is probably a keylock, and ways of insuring you don’t get insulin you didn’t intend to have (my current animas has aa button i sometimes mishit but if i press any other button it wont misdeliver. there are fail safes). (2)There is a cover for the usb, you can see it easily on the 360 picture they have on tandem’s website. it probably has a small seal around it, to keep it water proof. just don’t plug it in while wet
T:Slim looks slick, easy to use, inventive and unique, BUT why only the IPX7 rating… Really would have liked to make sure it was a bit more ruggedized and can handle immersion better.
I am excited about this new development and dont agree with you about kids forgetting to charge. They do it for their phones and cant see why they would forget for this very important aspect of their life. I cant wait to see this on the market as I hate the injecting and the needles.
Hmm, charging, with no way of swapping out the battery for a charged one is just not going to work for me. I love the freedom that my pump gives me. I can go traveling to exotic locations and carry around three AAA batts and a couple of syringes. Two week backpacking trip? That wouldn’t even be possible. I hate things that limit my freedom and pride myself on doing things in spite of my diabetes. This doesn’t seem like it would work for my lifestyle at all.
To everybody complaining about the touchscreen and small buttons, you are likely underestimating how adept kids are to working these things. I’m not that old but it’s pretty obvious that the next generation will not be so easily phased as my parents.
I think one of the links in the article mentions that it may have a cgm upgrade down the line (probably not before it becomes obsolete at the rate the FDA is working lol).
Give me a way to use a regular battery or keep several charged batterys on hand to swap out, and this would be my next insulin pump. Oh well.
If you don’t charge inbetween at all, the pump has a 7-day lifespan. So charge before you get on the trail.
This battery ‘problem’ duplicates the current Dexcom design: The battery is PROBABLY a Lithium-Ion unit. They will last for a lot more charge/discharge cycles if you keep them between 60% and 90% “full” all the time. (In comparison to discharging them to 50%, 40% or YIKES, 10% of capacity. That kills them.)
But no rechargeable battery lasts “forever”, even with daily recharging. The micro-drive pumping mechanism is (probably) a lot more efficient than our battery eating “big motor” pumps… but the touch screen uses quite a bit of power.
Nice to hear of the Dexcom integration plan. I hope it will be with the new Sensor and software, which Dexcom claims to be faster and more accurate at showing Hypo bG readings.
Wow, I’m so behind!! Amy you should be very proud about this, because you were instrumental in enabling this to happen! Thanks for all you do!
Natalie
BUT!!!! I don’t think I could talk Kennedy out of her omnipod right now… She is 11 and a competitive dancer… She would probably not wear a tubed pump…
“A big feature for me is that it’s gonna be waterproof ”
I am looking into getting a pump and waterproof is a must for me. I have searched the web and am not able to confirm that this pump is waterproof. I’m not saying its not, just wondering where this info came from. Also, how waterproof is it? If I fall in the lame while wearing it am I looking to buy a new pump, or am i ok if I get right out? If I fall off the boat and it takes a few min for them to get back around and pull me out am I buying a new pump? (Both very real possibilities for me)