Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DeeJay on June 10, 2012 at 8:47pm

I like the Tslim :) I would love to try it out. However, I feel that tubeless pumps are the new trend, I'm more likely to go to a new tubeless pump than the Tslim.

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Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on June 11, 2012 at 9:53am

I actually don't see Tubeless pumps as being a trend. I know some folks love the Omnipod, but they seem to come with a host of issues (pod failures, no deliveries, dislodged canulas, etc).

I love where MM is taking their pumps with the 530G. This seems to be significant progress. However, I'd like to see this innovation combined with two other key improvements where I think Animas does a bit better - a larger/higher-contrast screen AND waterproofing. I LOVE my MM pump, but I will admit that I wish it was waterproof and had a screen that was easier to read (my vision is fine, but even I have a hard time reading the screen sometimes).

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Permalink Reply by DeeJay on June 11, 2012 at 11:15am

I agree! I think MM needs to catch up with everyone else as far as the water proofing and Higher contrast screen. They are a little behind on that but I do LOVE my MM pump, they are an amazing company, the 530G is only useful for those with CGM sensor which I do not have since insurance will not cover it. I mean most insurance companies don't cover CGM. The 530G system would be pointless for me.

However, MM will be working on a tubeless system that I'm excited about.

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Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on June 11, 2012 at 12:24pm

For some reason, tubeless systems scare me. I like to see the insulin going into the tube and being able to disconnect for any number of reasons. Finally, I'd rather having tubing than any sort of lump that I have to conceal under my clothing. Tubing is VERY easy to hide. However, the pods are NOT (and I seriously doubt that any type of pod will be slim enough to conceal under a tight dress).

The integrated CGM is a nice feature of the MM pump, but to be honest, I don't use it. For me, it's an accuracy and real-estate issue. Even if the CGM gave readings that were near perfect, I'd still probably not use it on a regular basis because I want to preserve my skin! All this adhesive and needles means that my skin can start to look really bad, especially in the summer when the adhesive causes all sorts of weird rashes. I don't think I can regularly manage TWO sites.

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Permalink Reply by FHS on June 12, 2012 at 9:18am

I think discussing tubed versus tubeless design of an insulin pump is a lot like trying decide if it's better to get kicked in the shin or punched in the eye. You're dealing with issues ether way and it's just a matter of which set of issues is less of a pain for you.

Being on a tubeless pump, it's very difficult for me to imagine what it would be like to deal with a tethered pump, though I'm certain that I would be able to do so if I had made the choice to go that route. I suppose that part of making that choice is going through a mental Rolodex of situations that you commonly find yourself in and imagining which design works best for you in most of them.

As for reliability issues, when I'm at better than 95% trouble free functioning, i don't find many worth mentioning at this point.

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Permalink Reply by Don on June 12, 2012 at 10:07am

Hmmm, a kick in the shin or a punch in the eye, lol. Overall, I think I would prefer tubeless but the one thing I wonder about is the sheer relief I feel when a Dex sensor expires and i can take it off for a break and put aside the receiver versus the comparatively larger tubeless pump bodyware that would be 24/7.

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Permalink Reply by FHS on June 12, 2012 at 10:33am

Absolutely Don, I can relate.

The thing about the Dex is that you wear it for at least a week. I know I had sensors that went well over 2 weeks.

With the pod, you're going 80 hours tops. For those times when even that's too long, I modified a bobby pin to scratch under the adhesive if needed. I do have a tendency to get superficial scars from sratching the sites though. If I really cared about it, I would use some sort of skin prep or at least lotion down more.

As for the PDM, yeah, if you are dosing or making adjustments than it's a necessity to have on your person. Once it's programmed though, the pod is fully automated to give you your basal dose.

I'm approaching 2 years on the pod though so I have a pretty good sense of when I absoultely have to have it and when I can leave it at home. 30 minute trip to the grocery store, leave it at home. !0 day trip to Japan, gonna have to have it. The nice thing to have is the integrated BG meter. When I go out for a meal or any type of social activity, it ends up being a wash because I rarely go anywhere without my meter. If I have to carry something to a restauran, for example,t anyway, it might as well be my PDM.

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Permalink Reply by Terry on June 11, 2012 at 12:55pm

I've worn insulin pumps for more years than I care to count. One of the things I'm looking for in my next pump include a significant reduction in the number of button pushes to accomplish routine things like a bolus calculation and delivery. My current Animas Ping is a poor performer in this facet. For instance, I cannot arrow-up from the top of a menu to access the bottom menu item. Bolus selection is done on an arrow-up scroll to serially access the dose I want. I'm plenty tired of the overshoot-undershoot-overshoot circus. The t:slim addresses this issue.

As I age (I'm 58 now), I increasingly value better resolution screens. The ability to read my pump during the night without finding my glasses is a definite plus for me. Also, my current Animas pump is virtually unreadable in bright sunlight. I'm told the t:slim is readable in bright sunlight.

The rechargeable battery is a great idea if it delivers as advertised. Tandem's website includes videos from beta users that say they charge their batteries while their pump is disconnected from then during shower time. If it is a reliable quick charge, I see that as a green plus.

I, too, am worried about the screen ruggedness. I've owned iPhones for 4 years and I've dropped my phone from my pocket onto a paved surface as I was getting out of the car. The screen did not break. If the unit can survive short falls and they provide reasonable customer service, support, and warranty policies, I could probably live with this risk.

Finally, I am thrilled that at least one pump manufacturer values design and the user interface. I hope this company and its product meets with success.

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Permalink Reply by Don on June 11, 2012 at 1:06pm

+1

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Permalink Reply by Don on June 11, 2012 at 1:19pm

It would be great if Tslim can demonstrate to Medtronic how to make alarms loud and customizable.

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Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on June 11, 2012 at 1:38pm

Yes, this reminds me of my other beef with my MM - the alarms and sounds are really bad. I sleep through the auto-off alarm ALL THE TIME. I have also slept through a no-delivery alarm. Granted, I am a VERY heavy sleeper, but I'd like the ability to customize my alarms/alerts and to make them loud during the nighttime hours.

In addition, I would have reservations about the rechargeable battery. I already carry around several chargers with me each day. And while I like the idea with being green, I would have a hard time giving up my ability to just pop in another AAA battery in a pinch.

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Permalink Reply by Terry on June 11, 2012 at 1:58pm

I agree that a rechargeable battery is a trade-off situation. It takes more to manage a rechargeable battery but I've found with my Dexcom CGM, it's something that's reasonably managed. I just top it off when I'm sitting at my computer reading. I've fortunately not forgotten the charger when I traveled. That, I think, is the biggest risk.

I go through so much throw-away supply with my pump and CGM, I'm willing to make some effort to manage a rechargeable pump battery. MY CGM rechargeable battery has shown me that it's not that difficult or inconvenient.

Your comments about the lack of pump alarm loudness is my main objection to pump/CGM integration. I much prefer a separate CGM receiver that I can place near me at night but not under the covers. Many people that want a combined pump/CGM seem to lose sight of this important detail. Receiving a timely low BG wake-up alarm at night has markedly improved my life and saved my bacon more than once!

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