Onetouch Ping Diabetes System Gets FDA Clearance

Wasn't Medtronic already doing this with the Paradigm pump and the BD meter?

Yes -- wasn't it the Paradigm pump and BD's Paradigm Link blood glucose meter -- around 2002/2003? And, more recently, the OneTouch UltraLink talks to the Medtronic pumps. Also, Insulet has had the Omnipod system that wirelessly communicates with the pump. So, this is the fourth to market.

Medtronic Ultra link sends BG data to pump - that's all. Ping systems also allows user to set bolus from meter and deliver - thus never having to take pump out. Plus the Animas pump is a better pump.

Interesting development and it looks pretty good. But it'll still use those OneTouch strips that take a fairly large drop of blood by today's standards.

Minmed were definitely first with this by a long shot. I was using a wireless BD meter in 2004.

I'm an Omnipod user and that just look so uncomfortable to carry with you not just one but two devices.

They are forgetting to show the ugly infusion attachment on the model. lol. Well, this is a cool gadget, but I am not completely sold. I'd prefer a much smaller pump. I can't wear my pump without making a big lump wherever I put it. I doubt this pump would fit in my back pocket safely and securely like a pack of gum. Unless this device is tiny and thin, it's not quite the detail I was looking for. On the bright side, I really do appreciate strides in technology.

This system, unlike others, will also apparently work in Mac OS X. Although I have Intel Macs, and Windows, it would be nicer if I could just stay to Mac OSX alone. At present, I boot into a Native Windows VISTA OS to upload data to my computer or to CareLink

It'll be great when all of this stuff can be cross-platform.

I am confused on the comments that Fritz & Ferrell have made.
1. Fritz, you already carry around 2 devices to operate your diabetes management system. I have worn the Omnipod pump and it is like wearing a tumor on your stomach and then carrying around a shoe box size glucose meter. I do not understand how you think your product is any different.
2. Ferrell, Minimed was not the first one to bring this techonology to market. This is the first diabetes mangement software that will allow you to not only check your blood sugar, but also operate the pump.
So to sum it up. Omnipod has a dumb pump and a smart meter. Minimed has a dumb meter and smart pump. OneTouch has the best of both worlds, both a smart meter and a smart pump.
Maybe I am just confused, but I am really excited about this. It will be so great to check my BG and never have to look at my pump to deliver my insulin. But it will also be great in cases where I might leave my BG meter at home; I can still operate my pump unlike Omnipod. I love infusion sets, they give me the choice of either using my pump or taking it off like when I shower. I did not have the same response with Omnipod and that is the reason I sent it back, that is the bulkiest thing I have ever worn.
I am happy Animas and OneTouch are bringing such great usuable new technology to the market place. Especially since my insurance will pay for it unlike Minimed who brings things to market and then wants me to pay 1,500 - 2,000 because insurance will not.

WELL I HAVE TO SAY THIS MINIMED SALES REP ARE THE WORS,THE COMPANY DOES'NT CARE ABOUT THE PATIENTS WITH DIABETES THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT THE MONEY. THE DIFERENCE WITH ANIMAS IS THAT THEY REALLY,REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU LIKE A PERSON AND THEY HAVE A BETTER TRAINING TECNICHIAM 24/7 WHEN YOU CALL ANIMAS FOR ANY KIND OF SITUATION WITH YOUR PUMP THE MOST TIME THAT YOU HAVE TO WAIT IS 10 MINUTES(CALL MINIMED AND SEE HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE TO WAIT!!)AND THE ANIMAS PUMP ARE THE BEST IN THE MARKET BELIEVEME I'M BEING USING INSULIN PUMPS SINCE 1996 AND I TRY ALL OF THEM,MINIMED,DISETRONIC,DELTEC,ANIMAS.

NOW I'M WEARING THE 2020 FROM ANIMAS AND LET ME TELL YOU GUYS IS JUST WONDERFULL.
I'M PLANING TO UPGRADE FOR THE ONE TOUCH PING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Hi. I have been diabetic for over 20 years (diagonsed at 10 yrs old). I have resisted the pump for many years, because my A1c levels are always under 7 (last was 6.8). I had a baby 3 months ago and since then the paramedics have been to my house twice (first time this had ever happened to me) because I would not wake up in the morning (I'm on NPH and Humalog). I would love to hear if anyone out there thinks having the pump will help me gain better control. As of now I am going back and forth between getting the Animas Ping or the Mini-Med Paradigm. Is there any advise or helpful suggestions you could give to help me decide which is the better pump? Also, do you find a need to have a sensor? It sounds like a neat idea but is it something any of you would find beneficial? I'm not even sure what I am looking for in a pump, so it's hard to choose. I'm hoping those of you that have pump experience can help lead me in the right direction.
Thank you very much.

Kristi

kristi, i've had the paradigm and now i have an animas 1250, but i am trying to upgrade to the ping as soon as i can. i like animas so much better, check them out. i think you will too. i also have been a diabetic for over 20 years, and just got a pump about 6 years ago - best move i ever made. animas pumps are much more adjustable than minimed, very important to keep in mind, i felt like i did better on my animas. talk to your endocrinologist about who would be training you on your pump or if they have a diabetes educator (mine does and she trained me). i got alot of advice from her when i started looking into the pump. good luck, i hope things work out for you.

This may have already been stated, but:

the difference btn the Minimed Paradigm and Animus Ping in respect to the meters is that you can enter your bolus amount on the Ping and it will tell the pump to deliver insulin w/o having to even touch the pump. With the Paradigm, you MUST pull your pump out to bolus unless you buy the simplistic, expensive remote control.

The ping meter also contains a database of carb counts which is a nice feature. Unfortunately, the meter is hard for me to see -- they need to improve it and use the same screen technology that they use for the Ping pump that makes it so incredibly visible.

Regarding the meter used with the Minimed Paradigm (the OneTouch Ultralink)-- it is more basic than most regular meters and it is not even backlit -- this totally confuses me as many people with Diabetes suffer from vision problems.

It was remarked to me by an Animus representative regarding the OneTouch Ping meter (yes the minimed and anumus meters are both manufactered by OneTouch, but both completely different) that the reason it's screen is so basic as far as visibilty goes is the cost assoc with manufacture

Well, they already (both systems) charge 5-6000 for a system, what's a few hundred or an extra thousand more? I say that because this is the cost to consumers and I happen to know that the insurance company only pays about $1000!!

As long as you have insurance, it is more than worth it to pay the extra expense for a highly visible screen.

Every other pump out there was automatically taken out of the running for me to use b/c I couldn't see any of the screens well enough to depend on them. This is a sad, sad oversight by designers who unfortunately are out of touch with the needs of diabetics who suffer visual impairment.

And, with all the technology out there, I would think the blood glucose meters would be able to hold much more information than they do -- we still need simple options, not everyone wants to keep all relevent info in one place that can also connect to their computer, but I do and,, geez you can buy an iphone for several hundred dollars.. True, most meters are given away b/c they make bank selling test strips for $0.50 to $1.00 each, but I woud pay for a full functional system that really helped me managed the myriad dynamic influences of diabetes!! There, that was my soapbox. Hope something here was delpful.

It is still not the continuous sensor Animas has promised to bring to market; the gadget is not a true breakthrough.

Kristi...go the animas. It has a default lucer lock system which means you can use almost any infusion set with it. It is water proof. I has an auto-off function [that you set, default 11 hours] that initiates if you haven't pressed anything for a pre-determined length of time. It has an easy to follow menu system [important if you work with people not in the know] and can be set to suit your needs to the nth degree. Not to mention the inset II infusion sets come in different colours and are easy to use..and have just been reduced in price due to the introduction of the inset 30. It is a little chuncky [but aren't all pumps] but has a clip attachment without a case...meaning that there's no extra bulk just to add a clip. You can programme it with up to 500 different meals/food items which can make bolusing easier and less time consuming. It also has an audio bolus which means you can have a dose and not need to look at the screen...just know the 'beep' commands. It has an incredibly easy manual that tells you everything you need to know, and Animas offer a full replacement if there are any faults with the pump..or damages...for an incredibly small replacement fee [somewhere around $200AU]. Besides...it looks great and comes in quite a few gorgeous colours. I haven't heard any complaints about it [well...maybe complaints about the food menu programme...but that's seperate from the pump and I don't use it anyway...I know my foods].

Ask around....like you already are. When you decide you're getting a pump..your clinic will show you whats available anyway.

Good luck

-Bianca

Does anyone know if two meters in proximity will interfere? Both my sons have diabetes, and I don't want to risk cross dosing. We go Friday for our pump class. Does anyone know wha method of wireless is used?