Developing new injection device - want to help?

[Tondup]

Hi

We are two graduate students at The Technical University of Denmark doing our master thesis in product development and innovation. Our project aims at developing a future device for insulin injection. We believe very much in user involvement and we would appreciate if you would like to tell us about your experiences with existing devices e.g. insulin pens, syringes, pumps. What works and what doesn't, do you miss special functionalities or maybe you have developed your own methods? We are very much interested in your opinion, tell us what is on your mind! Your help is very important to us and we are great full for every comment you make. thanks Jacob & Rasmus:)

[UpNorth]

A pen like Novopen 4 that could hold all brands of pencartridges would be great! It's really annoying when you have an insulin that works very well, but don't have a device you like to inject with. I changed from Lantus to Levemir for mainly this reason... I HATED the pens Lantus came in... Luckily Levemir works very well for me, i'd say it probably works even better than Lantus did :)

[gambi]

I'll appologive ahead of time, its early and I'm grumpy. People with diabetes are not afraid of needles and pens. We do not have an issue with injecting! If people are going to put money into research of developing ways to manage it or make it easier - there's no point. JUST CURE IT.

Sorry.

[owlyn]

Lilly just developed a pen that keeps track of the last several doses in memory. There is a major problem with it- it can't withstand any changes in temperature or humidity, as condensation forms on the electronics and causes problems. Their reccommendation for this problem is to keep the pen as close to room temperature (20 C) as possible. This defeats the prupose of a pen- portability and convenience. Fix that, and you'll have something useful.

[ant hill]

What would be a good thing is a pen that records time, Date, Dose, And a alarm. Most often than not that we can forget if we had the injection so basicly a reminder that we had it or not. Can you imagine that you did have the injection and think did I or didn't I *One scratches head* Also have the insulin cool and in the dark too.
There has been instances of having the injection twice!!! :eek: And have the fun of covering for that mistake. :(
Also when you're low we tend to have memory lapse and that do confuse the **** out of you. :( :confused:

As for the pumps and CGMS should talk to each other like the person were to have a low and have the CGMS to shut down the pump and restart it once that the BG's comes to normal levels. But that's the current modifications on todays systems as newer technology comes to surface to us then what I have just said may well be imitated. :)

[xMenace]

Hi

We are two graduate students at The Technical University of Denmark doing our master thesis in product development and innovation. Our project aims at developing a future device for insulin injection. We believe very much in user involvement and we would appreciate if you would like to tell us about your experiences with existing devices e.g. insulin pens, syringes, pumps. What works and what doesn't, do you miss special functionalities or maybe you have developed your own methods? We are very much interested in your opinion, tell us what is on your mind! Your help is very important to us and we are great full for every comment you make. thanks Jacob & Rasmus:)


Do you have any links or references?

[Stuboy]

I disagree with gambi that money shouldn't be spent on developing new insulin pens. Im all for a cure naturally, but in the mean time we still have to manage and put up with having diabetes and taking injections, anything that makes it better is a plus, from ease of use right down to style.

I absolutly LOVE the idea of the digital pen, for recording date/time, dose... and an alarm (or 2, for those who take basal twice daily)... excellent!
At the same time, i think the pen should look stylish, after all we have to carry it around with us everywhere we go, personally i dont like cheapy looking plasticy pen that breaks very easily... autopen24 being a prime example, i've only been D for 18months and i've already broke 2, and the dose numbers have rubbed off on another. The Novopens are complete opposite... very robust, stylish and imposible to rub off the numbers. As someone said in another thread i read recently, i think the novopen is the "mercedes" of insulin pens currently.

Another important feature i'd like, is the ability to also dial half units, for those who are very sensitive to insulin, 1 extra dose can sometimes be too much, but one less is not enough.

And again, 1pen that fits all cartridges... i think that could possibly be acheived but using two different cartridge surrounds. Again i'll use autopen verses novopen... the needle is screwed directly onto the cartride surround on the autopen, whereas with a novopen, the needle is screwed directly onto the cartridge.

I believe different insulin cartridges have slightly different internal dimensions though, which could prove tricky ensuring the correct dose is delivered by one pen for all.

A few thoughts there!

[JediSurfer]

A self cooling device would be pretty cool. But apart from that I can't think of anything. Most of the problems with diabetes are due to the insulin itself. delivery is not really an issue for me. Maybe something which is actually pen sized rather than the huge thing we use at the moment. The size of the pens has hardly changed since they were first developed. I think a scaled down version of the ones we already have would be nice.

[mortis505]

I would like to see a CGMS device thats built into the infusion set, derives its power from the pump, and doesnt cost an am and a leg in the course of a year.

It can even transmit the data over a wire to the pump. It also needs to be able to be removed easily for baths, swimming, etc.

[metamarty]

I currently own and use both the novopen 3 and 4. These are already excellent in quality and use. The only thing I really mis, like mentioned above, is finer control over the dose. The novo pens only work with whole units. I'm very sensitive and usually require 2 or 3 units at a time and I really often need 2.5. It would be great if novo nordisk or any other party came out with a "sensitive" pen that only goes from 1 to 10, but in small steps. My novo pens go to 60 units, which is more than I use in one week.

[notme]

I am still waiting for the pump that has a Continuous Glucose Monitor and canula all in one. There are a lot of improvements that could be made in pumps and pens. I would love a pump like the OmniPod that doesn't have such a HUGE pod to attach to the body. Even if the pod was larger but thinner so it didn't protrude from clothes, would be awsome! I have never used a pen, so I can't comment. Self cooling is a great idea.

[UpNorth]

I currently own and use both the novopen 3 and 4. These are already excellent in quality and use. The only thing I really mis, like mentioned above, is finer control over the dose. The novo pens only work with whole units. I'm very sensitive and usually require 2 or 3 units at a time and I really often need 2.5. It would be great if novo nordisk or any other party came out with a "sensitive" pen that only goes from 1 to 10, but in small steps. My novo pens go to 60 units, which is more than I use in one week.


You could try Novopen Junior or Demi... those have half units :)

[metamarty]

You could try Novopen Junior or Demi... those have half units :)
Oh, great! I didn't know that. I've always liked the appearance of the junior better than the plain regular one :D
Hope the insurance will allow me to get yet another pen!

[UpNorth]

Oh, great! I didn't know that. I've always liked the appearance of the junior better than the plain regular one :D
Hope the insurance will allow me to get yet another pen!

I hope you can get one of them :)

[JediSkipdogg]

I'm a pump user but I can say for a pen here's what I would love....

A smart pen. One that will hold two types of insulins in one pen. This can either be done by removed the cartridge on the back and it accepting a new one or by taking half cartridges. The last I checked the cartridges were round. Why not split it down the middle? Then you can have your long and short acting in the same pen. There would still also be the option of placing one full size cartridge in the pen.

Then with modern RFID technology each cartridge could have a small chip in it to detect what type of insulin is in and on a micro LCD display it would show which one you are about to inject and you can program the units in and it gives it. This pen will be slightly larger than modern pens, but still nice enough to fit in a pocket. The display would also be able to tell the last say 10 doses and the time of day they were given.

Geee, is that too much to ask for in the age where a device the size of my watch can hold 10,000 songs or videos and play them back?

Maybe Apple truely should move into the medical community. LOL

[xMenace]

Many of us have chronic problems with our sets (pumping). There seems to be many variables involved such as length of canula, stability, irritation, crytalization, tunneling, whatever. It'd be great to know exactly what's happening and have great sets that always work.

[KCP]

OK now that would be aweosme!
A pump that pumped your insulin, with a CGMS and hardware astute enough to adjust it automatically.
A cooling device for the pens would be great for summer!!

And a pen or even a meter that i could store all my info in would be great! does anyone know if this actually exists??

[shiftzor]

I think everything i can think of has already been suggested, however making insulin pumps cheap would be great. A decent lantus pen would be nice. :D

[markr]

The one feature I want on my pump is a button that I press and money comes out. Just like an ATM. :D

[shiftzor]

Well as long as the ATM was wired to someone elses bank account i wouldnt mind ;)

Ive had an idea: at the moment my meter stores dates and times of when I did my sugar tests this is automatically downloaded onto a computer. A matching insulin pen that did dates and times of injections (as already suggested), which could be downloaded onto the computer would be ideal. That would saving me manually entering them into my computer and as already suggested the big woes of "have I already injected?". This would save me time, effort and my already fading memory ;) If I could have one piece of software that showed me my insulin injections and bg results with graphs then I would most probably want your babies :D

Or

Just invent a magic bullet that puts us all out of our misery. :D

[JJM335]

A decent lantus pen would be nice. :D

Have you tried the SoloStar? Feels a bit lightweight compared to the Novopens, but it works reliably.

Joel

Re: graphs, the Ascensia meters (e.g. the Breeze 2) come with a really nice piece of software (free + free PC cable) that graphs out and analyzes your BG's in about 8 different and extremely useful ways. You can enter insulin doses, and other events, although you have to do this manually.

[mimiboggie]

Tell me how! I have been using the same insulin pen for 15 years and use syringes as well.

[shiftzor]

Have you tried the SoloStar? Feels a bit lightweight compared to the Novopens, but it works reliably.

Joel

Re: graphs, the Ascensia meters (e.g. the Breeze 2) come with a really nice piece of software (free + free PC cable) that graphs out and analyzes your BG's in about 8 different and extremely useful ways. You can enter insulin doses, and other events, although you have to do this manually.

I use Bayer Ascensia Contour meter with WinGlucofacts Pro, it would be nice if my NovoPen 3 Demi and my Autopen 24 remembered their injections so I could just plug them in and download all the info. ;) Then a robotic arm that automatically injects oh wait they already have pumps :D In all seriousness it’s always difficult to remember what I injected and when, especially if it’s been a busy couple of days.

As for a decent Lantus pen I’ve not used SoloStar considering it though, would have to change my prescriptions though.

[Tondup]

Thank you very much for all your comments. This is just the type of feedback we hoped for - it's fantastic:) Please keep it comming if you have more

[Tondup]

Do you have any links or references?

I'm not sure what you mean by references or links?

the project i carried out at the Technical University of Denamrk as part of the Design and Innovation program;

[Tondup]

I have a link - but when I post it, it dissapears!

[JJM335]

As for a decent Lantus pen I’ve not used SoloStar considering it though, would have to change my prescriptions though.

I used to use the Autopen 24 (1U), I much prefer the SoloStar. With the Autopen, I hated the spring loaded automatic injection!!! Every so often insulin would leak out around the sides of needle and I would feel the "wet patch" on my leg. Not exactly confidence inspiring. I also use the Solostars for Apidra and although they don't have the solid feel of the Novopen, I have had no problem with them.

I understand that the SoloStars cost the NHS less than the cartridges so you should't have any objections to changing your prescription.

Joel

[lisa821]

Jacob and Rasmus: I believe one of the more helpful innovations would be something that checks insulin to make sure it's still potent, whether the insulin is still in the vial or in the insulin pump. There have been times when I've wondered if the insulin I'm using is still good because of unexplained high blood sugars, but have really no way of knowing for sure because there are many other possible variables involved, like bad infusion sets, pump problems, food intake, etc. It would be nice to at least know for sure that the insulin is still potent...or not.

[RLK]

Jacob and Rasmus: I believe one of the more helpful innovations would be something that checks insulin to make sure it's still potent, whether the insulin is still in the vial or in the insulin pump. There have been times when I've wondered if the insulin I'm using is still good because of unexplained high blood sugars, but have really no way of knowing for sure because there are many other possible variables involved, like bad infusion sets, pump problems, food intake, etc. It would be nice to at least know for sure that the insulin is still potent...or not.

Great idea- I would definitely use this!

[kidvid]

Develop a pump with dual delivery systems - one for insulin, and another for Symlin. I use both a pump and syringes for both - a single pump would be great.

[Evermont]

I have a link - but when I post it, it dissapears!

There is a bug with certain links, scroll down a bit on the Reply page and find the two options labeled "Automatically parse links in text" and "Automatically retrieve titles from external links", uncheck them before you hit the [Submit Reply] button.

[Tondup]

the project i carried out at the Technical University of Denamrk under the Design and Innovation program;

http://www.design-ing.dk/English.aspx

[sedita]

I would be interested in having a smaller pump. I don't mind being teathered by tubing, but I wish the pump was smaller. Currently when I wear a suit I either have to cut the pockets and run it through there, or have a funny bulge on one side of my jacket.

I could envision a small pump, not much larger than the catridge itself, which could be controlled by a wrist watch or similar device. A watch would be great because I'm pretty much always wearing one, but then again, if you went that route it would be something that most people would be willing to wear in a variety of social situations.

[kstreeter513]

I know you're looking to make innovations on a pen, but what we really need is a BG meter that can read your levels with an infrared light. No more finger sticks, and no more costly strips to buy. If a pulse/oximeter can do it, isn't the technology out there for blood glucose as well. For someone like me who test 10+ times a day easy, this would be a great invention.

[ant hill]

Perhaps a pen that has distinct Name & color of the insulins that we use today and make also the function of the insulins too like the Basel & Bolus to be written on the pens.
There has been times that we have had the mistake of having the wrong insulin, So by doing this would help to make our management easier. :)

[Eddy]

I'd like a "glucagon pen"... something where a simple button press (or two) mixes in preparation for injection.

So far, I've been lucky enough not to need glucagon. However, I'm concerned that one day I might need it... and not be able to mix and inject before passing out.

I imagine that parents, spouses, friends, coworkers, et cetera also would feel more comfortable with a "press, confirm, wait for signal, inject" than mixing vials.

[Eddy]

I know you're looking to make innovations on a pen, but what we really need is a BG meter that can read your levels with an infrared light. No more finger sticks, and no more costly strips to buy. If a pulse/oximeter can do it, isn't the technology out there for blood glucose as well. For someone like me who test 10+ times a day easy, this would be a great invention.

I'll second this. I've cut back from testing 15x/day to an average of nine or so... but would like to cut back more, due to the cost.

[Gary_W]

I know you're looking to make innovations on a pen, but what we really need is a BG meter that can read your levels with an infrared light. No more finger sticks, and no more costly strips to buy. If a pulse/oximeter can do it, isn't the technology out there for blood glucose as well. For someone like me who test 10+ times a day easy, this would be a great invention.

It would be nice, but a pulse oximeter is a rather simpler beast. Blood changes colour depending on its oxygen saturation and all a pulse ox is doing is shining a light through your finger. The redness of the blood lets more or less of the light get through to the sensor on the other side and lets the machine know how much red blood vs blue blood (de-oxygenated) you have.

Glucose is a bit trickier... I will second that it will be cool if it can be done, and several have tried. I seem to remember glucose detecting wrist watches a few years back but they seem to have died a death. Wikipedia makes interesting reading on the subject (as ever)

Glucose meter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_glucose_meter#Future)

Gary

[Italian]

HI there ,

I have been using levemir novafin pen , but I have had so many problems with these pens .The plunger is continually breaking and if I don't callibrate prior to usage and check it works I run the risk of having no basal insulin for 24 Hours !!!. I would suggest that as a safetly mechanism that no callibration occurs if the plunger is damaged or not functional .

[Tondup]

Hi again

We have been using this thread to ask for your opinion on existing devices e.g. insulin pens, syringes, pumps. We think all your input are amazing - thank you very much

Now we would like to introduce to you the worlds 1st “BUILD YOUR OWN DEVICE GAME”. This is a simple and funny little game where you can customize your own injection device by choosing from different shapes, functionalities, skins etc. Try the game RIGHT NOW by clicking on the link below or copying it into the navigation bar of your web browser.

https://www.student.dtu.dk/~s032344/device_builder

Hopefully the game will inspire you and challenge your idea of what a device can be. I you, after completing the game, have any comments, questions or like to share your ideas of what future injection devices should be like please don’t hesitate. You can either write your comments in the text box at the end of the game or use this thread.

We hope you like the game - Jacob & Rasmus:)

[MinimedPumper07]

Something I think is super important is to have an infusion site so that you are not injecting into the skin but rather into a canula so it doesn't hurt so much. It already exists but not many people know about it.