*Exciting new things on the horizon!!*

Dewey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 01:33 PM

Ok, as promised in Cin's thread:

I will give some info. that I found at the Diabetes Symposium/Seminar that I attended Saturday. If your clinics & hospitals have them, I definitely encourage you to attend. You will learn a lot & can score a great deal of freebies from vendors. In fact, I got the latest copy of "Pumping Insulin" from the Deltec/Smiths Medical rep.!

So far, here's the scoop:

1. Animas is in the works with Lifescan to make a CGMS that gives output to the One Touch UltraSmart meter. The sensor will be able to be worn on upper or lower arm (or any other location as desired by the patient), and is shorter than other sensors. They are incorporating the micro-needle technology to make these sensors. I'm not exactly sure of a release date, but it won't be too far down the line. They also definitely plan to implement their Micro-Pump in Q4 of 07 (the end of next year). The new Micro Pump will allow users a variety of cartridges, from 200 to 1000 units, dependent upon daily insulin intake.
2. Abbott has been in talks about marketing their Navigator CGMS system. What does this mean to us? It means that it may become available to the public much much sooner than expected! Don't get those checkbooks ready yet though, folks.....The costs may initially be steep. However, if you're a current Cozmore user, you'll likely get half off the original price! Not a Cozmore user?? Don't lose hope. They're finding ways to get insurance to cover, which may take a while, but we all know who's fault that is (Insurance's!)!
3. MiniMed has come out with cool new "skins" for their Paradigm series of pumps, including bright colors such as "crayola crayon," "Matrix" and neon pink, to name a few. If memory serves, the rep. I spoke with said that they'll likely become available either the end of October or the beginning of November. For right now, other than the cool skins, she said they were really focusing on the CGMS/TGMS Paradigm pumps.
4. Deltec/Smiths Medical will soon be offering upgrades to current pumps. This time, users will send in their original pump, after they receive a new one. The upgrade is free, but if users opt for a new color (i.e. trading in the ole' "Ice Blue" for a more neon "Apple Green," they can do so for a fee of approx. $100).

As I remember more info., I'll definitely pass it along!

spike · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:19 PM

Hmmm....let's see...which product do I most care about MM bringing to market; a funky & unnecessary "skin" for my already-cool translucent blue pump, OR a better CGMS...hmmm...what to choose?...what to choose?...I think I'll go with the CGMS.

Dewey, what is a TGMS?

Meanwhile, I'm still pinning my hopes on the Navigator...

Tony · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:26 PM

TGMS stands for,

Telemetered Glucose Monitoring System

Mich · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:38 PM

Wow! Thanks for the update, Dewey. Sounds really neat. I'm calling my CDE to see if there's a symposium in my area. Mich

Dewey · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

Hmmm....let's see...which product do I most care about MM bringing to market; a funky & unnecessary "skin" for my already-cool translucent blue pump, OR a better CGMS...hmmm...what to choose?...what to choose?...I think I'll go with the CGMS.

Dewey, what is a TGMS?

Meanwhile, I'm still pinning my hopes on the Navigator...

Well, the thing is, that the MM gal didn't give any other info. aside from the colored skins & the fact that they're focusing on improving their current CGMS system. That was really all she said. Sometimes, I'm more up to date on what's going on than some of the reps. even are, LOL.

Cyborg · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 04:29 PM

Nice to hear what J&J is doing. That's where my money is, literally...

spike · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey

Sometimes, I'm more up to date on what's going on than some of the reps. even are, LOL.

I've had the same feeling, from time to time... <g>

Cyborg · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 04:52 PM

The reps are only interesting in pushing their own company's products...

JediSkipdogg · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey

Well, the thing is, that the MM gal didn't give any other info. aside from the colored skins & the fact that they're focusing on improving their current CGMS system. That was really all she said. Sometimes, I'm more up to date on what's going on than some of the reps. even are, LOL.

Personally, I have no hopes in MM doing so. They've had a CGMS device created and usable since 1996. THat is 10 years ago. Three years after that they marketed it to doctors for 3 day use only. Then about 2-3 years after that they created a new sensor that was more accurate than the first, but not by much. Then today, in 2006, they release a product that studies have shown to have the least level of accuracy. Not to mention to make something waterproof they had to completely seal the package. I know about 20 other ways to make an item 100% waterproof without completely enclosing the device to make batteries replaceable. I just think MM needs to show some action or all these other companies are going to rock the market with accuracy and easy of use/replacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Nice to hear what J&J is doing. That's where my money is, literally...

That's where my money is too. I see great plans in their future.

spike · #10 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

I know about 20 other ways to make an item 100% waterproof without completely enclosing the device to make batteries replaceable.

I've got a heart rate monitor made by the market leader--the batteries cannot be replaced because they chose to seal the unit at the factory. Thank you very much, Polar. I also have a bathroom scale that has a non-user-replaceable battery design. What are the mfgrs thinking? Don't answer that--I know precisely what they are thinking--they want us to buy new units, rather than keep the product going with a simple battery replacement. Grrrr...

JediSkipdogg · #11 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

I know precisely what they are thinking--they want us to buy new units, rather than keep the product going with a simple battery replacement. Grrrr...

That is probably 100% true. However, in the case of MM and Dexcom, I don't see why they would think that way. What is the number one reason you don't have a CGMS yet? Ok, number 2, since accuracy is #1. For me, it's the price. And I think that is how insurance companies are thinking too. If it wasn't going ot cost them $5000+ a year, I have a feeling the acceptance level would be alot faster. Add $5000 onto someone using a pump, and one can quite easily have $10000+ in medical expenses and that doesn't include insulin or test strips. I know for me my work pays about $600 a month, so $7200 a year on insurance. Well, if I had a CGMS, I'm a lose lose situation for insurance more than I am now. So I think anything for CGMS makers to lower cost burden on insurance would speed the process up. Ok, done ranting with you, lol.

spike · #12 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

Ok, done ranting with you, lol.

My reasons for sitting on the sidelines, in order:

1. Accuracy issues
2. Cost
3. More bulky paraphernalia to locate around my already high tech tummy--set, pump on right hip, cell phone on the left. How's a small person gonna handle all that, PLUS a bulky CGMS?? C'mon mfgrs--we need a watch-like device that doesn't irritate the skin like the ill-fated Glucowatch. (I understand there's a new model out, or coming out. Their first unit was so lame, they likely killed their chances for the next model to be taken seriously)

I'll buy one that's affordable if #1 & 3 are addressed to my satisfaction. I won't buy the Navigator if it's priced to high unless it were to be so frickin' accurate that my health would suffer were I too continue to do finger sticks. OTOH, the 10-hr start up time sorta precludes the Navigator being 100% my cup of tea.

Like I said moments ago, we need an accurate watch-like device that works! and covered by insurance. and is certified for therapeutic management. and is comfortable. and the sensors don't need all day to reach calibration nirvana.

BriOnH · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:29 PM

Great report! Thanks for sharing Dewey. You should work for pumping insulin magazine

.

Dewey · #14 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:52 PM

Aww, shucks! Thanks, Brian!

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

Like I said moments ago, we need an accurate watch-like device that works! and covered by insurance. and is certified for therapeutic management. and is comfortable. and the sensors don't need all day to reach calibration nirvana.

The rep. from Animas was telling me that unlike the other sensors, their's would warm up almost instantly. That would be awesome! They're also trying to make the sensors & everything more affordable for end-users. I see some stiff competition in the near future between the Navigator & One Touch's CGMS!

JediSkipdogg · #15 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey

The rep. from Animas was telling me that unlike the other sensors, their's would warm up almost instantly. That would be awesome! They're also trying to make the sensors & everything more affordable for end-users. I see some stiff competition in the near future between the Navigator & One Touch's CGMS!

I see stiff competition as well and I hope it's a good battle.

The one thing I don't understand why nobody has done is overlap CGMS sensors. If they need a 2 hour warmup, so be it, but why not allow you to insert the new sensor 2 hours before the old sensor "expires" and then you won't have any gaps in readings? To me that would take a little extra programming in the software.