Patch pump technology has been on the verge of breaking through for several years and now it may actually happen. Patch pumps are becoming popular because they avoid the tethered approach of current pumps. Instead of having your pump connected to your body via an infusion set and tubing, the patch pump is worn directly on the body, discreetly attached at the infusion site and wirelessly controlled with a separate device.
With the Omnipod already available, and others in development, we could see many more patch pumps in the near future. We have listed some of the pumps we have heard about already below. If you know of more, please let us know.
Omnipod
Status: Available Now
The Omnipod is comprised of 2 parts: the wireless insulin pump and the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM). The pump contains the reservoir, angled infusion set, automated inserter, pumping mechanism and power supply, all in a small, watertight case. This pod is attached directly to your body. With a full 200-unit reservoir, it weighs 1.2 ounces.
JewelPump
Status: 510K review pending, needs major partner to launch
Debiotech has been working on their MEMS Nanopump technology for many years. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) puts all the system programming on a tiny chip. Like the other patch pumps, it's a 2 part system: the reservoir with pumping mechanism that attaches to your body and the display device.
Cellnovo
The Cellnovo semi-patch pump (patch pump with a nearby infusion site) got a lot of attention in 2009 when it was first announced because of it's small size and iPhone like handset. Cellnovo, a London based company, has now joined forces with Osaka, Japan based Nipro Diagnostics, a blood glucose meter company, for integration of a meter into the Cell-Novo controller for the pod.
V-Go
Status: Currently under review at the FDA.
The V-Go is a simple-to-use, insulin delivery device that provides a preset basal rate and on-demand bolus dosing. Unlike most patch pumps current or in development, the V-Go has no controller device that must be carried around and used to give commands.
Solo
Status: Has FDA approval. Acquired by Roche in March 2010. Predicted to launch in 2012.
The Solo system has made two parts, the MicroPump and the Remote, which work together wirelessly. The MicroPump is made up of a disposable 200-unit insulin reservoir and a 90 day reusable Pump Base. It is attached to your body with a "cradle" that houses the canula used for insulin delivery. The pump has side buttons that allow quick ad easy blousing without the Remote.
The Solo Remote allows you to program your basal and bolus delivery just like any traditional pump. Color menus guide you through and messages tell you what is happening and what to do. The Solo Bolus Guide helps you figure out how much insulin to take for high blood sugars or carbs you plan to eat. History tracking includes entered BGs, BG trend graphs and insulin delivery for the past 90 days.
BetaWedge
Status: Early stages, prototype available in Q3 of 2010
The BetaWedge is a small, wearable, replaceable patch pump. It is named after the pancreas beta islet cells, responsible for producing insulin. Filled with insulin, it is worn on the body for three days. Using a small flexible cannula inserted under the skin, it delivers programmed doses of insulin, based on commands entered on the PDA.
The Pancreum PDA is a wireless, Bluetooth enabled, hand-held device that interfaces with the glucose sensing and insulin/glucagon delivery devices. The PDA displays glucose readings and trend graphs. It runs a leading-edge algorithm that calculates and suggests insulin and/or glucagon delivery doses. It accepts the confirmation or modification for the suggested doses and relays them to the wearable devices, based on your commands or automatically if enabled to do so.
Also anticipated in the system is the AlphaWedge wearable pump for delivery of glucagon and iPancreum Apps which are software apps that run on a PC or phone for managing diabetes.