Insulin Pump Survey

[ashgan]

Hi Guys,

I am a MBA student at the Fox School of Business, Temple University. I am part of a consulting team that is conducting a business plan for a small start up company that has developed a new Insulin Pump based on revolutionary new technology.

It is a disposable pump with an integrated glucose monitor and is cheaper than anything available in the market today (including the Omnipod). The glucose monitoring device would be worn like a earring, and would wireless transmit required insulin dosage to the disposable unit. The disposable unit would deliver the insulin into the blood continuously rather than in “shots” to maintain a optimum blood glucose level. In theory, this pump would act like an artificial pancreas and yet be as easy to use as a disposable contact lens. I must warn that, this pump is still under development and a year or more away from hitting the market.

Your feedback by answering to this following survey would be very helpful and appreciated.

The survey is posted on the following URL:

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2252GX7MM37

If you feel that the survey is not asking the right questions or if you have additional comments or questions please feel free to respond to this thread or email me directly at ashishg@temple.edu.

Once again, I thank you for taking the time and effort to help us by responding to this survey. I assure you that the results form this would be beneficial to all diabetes patients.

[Cyborg]

Got some info on this new "revolutionary" device?

[spike]

Hi Guys,

I am a MBA student at the Fox School of Business, Temple University. I am part of a consulting team that is conducting a business plan for a small start up company that has developed a new Insulin Pump based on revolutionary new technology.

It is a disposable pump with an integrated glucose monitor and is cheaper than anything available in the market today (including the Omnipod). The glucose monitoring device would be worn like a earring, and would wireless transmit required insulin dosage to the disposable unit. The disposable unit would deliver the insulin into the blood continuously rather than in “shots” to maintain a optimum blood glucose level. In theory, this pump would act like an artificial pancreas and yet be as easy to use as a disposable contact lens. I must warn that, this pump is still under development and a year or more away from hitting the market.

Your feedback by answering to this following survey would be very helpful and appreciated.

The survey is posted on the following URL:

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2252GX7MM37

If you feel that the survey is not asking the right questions or if you have additional comments or questions please feel free to respond to this thread or email me directly at ashishg@temple.edu.

Once again, I thank you for taking the time and effort to help us by responding to this survey. I assure you that the results form this would be beneficial to all diabetes patients.

I'm not about to wear an earring, dude!
Maybe Harrison Ford would like to wear it.

[JediSkipdogg]

Plus if they knew anything about new medical products they would know it takes at least a year (probably two) to get FDA approval for a company that has never done an insulin pump. Plus what is this about our current pumps using "shots"?

[spike]

Plus if they knew anything about new medical products they would know it takes at least a year (probably two) to get FDA approval for a company that has never done an insulin pump. Plus what is this about our current pumps using "shots"?

You took the words right out of my mouth. The OP's info sounds HIGHLY suspect.

[Cyborg]

Wonder if they want your social security number or something...

[jenet]

Wonder if they want your social security number or something...
Nope, they don't. You pique'd my curiosity, so I went through it (just to see the questions, not taking it too seriously). Based on their questions, I don't think they fully understand diabetes, the current market (their competition) or patients/medical/insurance environment (target audiences). I would have some serious doubts about this based on the survey questions and possible responses.

cheers,
j

[spike]

Nope, they don't. You pique'd my curiosity, so I went through it (just to see the questions, not taking it too seriously). Based on their questions, I don't think they fully understand diabetes, the current market (their competition) or patients/medical/insurance environment (target audiences). I would have some serious doubts about this based on the survey questions and possible responses.

cheers,
j

Why am I not surprised? :)

[ashgan]

Thank you for taking the time to go thru the survey Jenet. I confess that me and my team here are not experts in field. We are not even medical students for that matter. We are MBA students doing research work for a client who is still developing the technology. All I ask of this forum is some sincere feedback so we can help him. I also agree that the survey might not be very well designed and would appreciate any feedback you guys might have to improve this.
I would appreciate any help you can provide. I assure you that none of the questions are personal in nature and the results are available for everyone to see. This 5 mins of your time might just help in getting a better product in the market for the benefit of all.

[Harold]

:topic: I for I am sick and tired of people who know nothing except how to shrill running things. Put them to work DOing something.
Seacomp you feeling okay?:hello:

[jenet]

Thank you for taking the time to go thru the survey Jenet. I confess that me and my team here are not experts in field. We are not even medical students for that matter. We are MBA students doing research work for a client who is still developing the technology. All I ask of this forum is some sincere feedback so we can help him. I also agree that the survey might not be very well designed and would appreciate any feedback you guys might have to improve this. I would appreciate any help you can provide.
I'm always interested in new technology that might make living with diabetes easier, so here's a few comments while I am sitting here waiting to make sure a high BG is coming down the way it should:

1. In the past year, which of the following Insulin Delivery Systems have you utilized for your diabetes management? Please check all that apply.
- Minimed Insulin Pump
- Generic Insulin Pump
- Insulet Omnipod
- Insulin Injections
- Insulin Pen
- Oral Medications
There are three pumps usually considered (Minimed, Animas and Deltec Cosmo) in any New Pump discussion thread. Beyond that, there may be others you could lump into "Generic Pump", but those three seem to be the current biggies. Technically, Insulin Injections includes Insulin Pens, so to be more precise you might consider Insulin Syringes and Insulin Pens. There are also "needleless" injection systems such as the Medi-jector which would be a third subset of insulin injections. Oral Medications are not insulin at all, but something else entirely.

2. If you are a user of Insulin Pumps, please let us know why you choose to use this therapy rather than traditional injections. Please check all that apply.
- Mandatory requirement by doctor
- More effective treatment
- More flexible lifestyle
- More convenient to use than alternatives
- I do not use insulin pumps
YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), but I have never heard of anyone on the pump because of a mandatory requirement by their doctor. Not saying it couldn't happen or hasn't happened, but I wouldn't think this would be one of the top reasons. In fact, I've read quite a few stories about people changing doctors and fighting with insurance companies to get a pump (instead of being forced onto a pump).

4. Overall, how satisfied were you with your insulin pump with regard to the following attributes? (5-Very satisfied 4-Satisfied 3-Neutral 2-Unsatisfied 1-Very unsatisfied N/A)
- Accurate delivery of Insulin dosage
- Number of Basal Profiles
- Insulin Capacity
- Basal Increment
- Basal Interval
- Overall treatment effectiveness
5. How satisfied are you with the following attributes of your insulin pump? (5-Very satisfied 4-Satisfied 3-Neutral 2-Unsatisfied 1-Very unsatisfied N/A)
- Overall Quality
- Portability - Size & Weight
- Waterproofing
- Installation or first use experience
- Ease of use
- After purchase service (customer service, etc.)
- Infusion set purchase experience
...customizable settings for insulin sensitivity factors and variable insulin/carbohydate ratios; bolus wizards to calculate meal doses; bolus wizards to calculate correction doses; combo/extended bolus options; temporary rates for exercise or sick days; food databases; types of infusion sets available; interfaces to meters; interfaces to computers; etc.

8. Which glucose moniting device do you currently use?
- A standard pin prick based device
- A integrated pin prick device with my insulin pump
- A noninvasive device like a gluco watch
- I don't need to measure glucose, I estimate
- Other, Please Specify
I'm not aware of many (any?) people using a glucowatch as their primary BG monitoring device, but you might want to add the new Guardian CGMS (RT?) which is in limited release and being used by some folks, and possibly the Paradugm 522/722 which integrates the pump with the Guardiam CGMS.

10. If you have never used a insulin pump before, what are the reasons for not trying one today?
- Too expensive
- Too complex to use
- Does not treat my diabetes effectively
- It hinders my lifestyle
- I do require so much insulin that I would need to use a pump
- Not Applicable
- Other, Please Specify
...being attached to something 24/7, fear of needle infusion sets

Hope that was some help.
cheers,
j

[seacomp]

:topic:
Seacomp you feeling okay?:hello:
After the lawyers, the MBAs. And yes, I'm fine. As to this MBA fool, taking a survey is no substitute for knowing or doing something. Surveys are to determine whether you can market something, not whether it is any good or not.
An MBA, as an MBA, is just as happy to market pure **** as anything useful - if money can be made. But I'll stop now.:flute:

[Harold]

After the lawyers, the MBAs. And yes, I'm fine. As to this MBA fool, taking a survey is no substitute for knowing or doing something. Surveys are to determine whether you can market something, not whether it is any good or not.
An MBA, as an MBA, is just as happy to market pure **** as anything useful - if money can be made. But I'll stop now.:flute:Good you sound better.
Your correct, of course, and they usually only hear what they want to hear. Then we get what someone else wants to shove off on us. On the other hand if we do speak up there is always the chance we may get something we want.

[JediSkipdogg]

I do not have an MBA but I do have an undergrad business degree. One of the first things they teach you in undergrad business is to not do marketing on items you know nothing about. That would be like someone marketing a car when they have enormous knowledge in vacuum cleaners.

If you know nothing about the product, do massive research first before starting any form of study. Ask around to make sure you have the right info in the study then continue from there. Your survey questions lead alot of key points out and seem to be sided towards only certain treatments or companies.

Like your first question. You have Minimed and the Omnipod as pump methods. Yet the Omnipod doesn't exist to the public yet (or is just coming out) and Animas and Deltec are the number 2 and 3 pump makers, both not on your list. I haven't made it past question one since my pump of an Animas isn't on the list.

[Jorj Gaidin]

I think he must be doing this as a class project. None of it sounds legit.

[dtb]

I think he must be doing this as a class project. None of it sounds legit.

My feelings exactly.

[ashgan]

This is a class project all right. But the client is real! It is a small start up company without the financial resources for professional consultants. This technology was not developed with an insulin pump in mind, but it can be applied very effectively. What we are trying to do is determine if a insulin pump with such attributes has a market out there to justify a full fledge in depth research which costs a lot more money.

[liz32]

Ashgan: no one is going to risk their health on something some developed by someone who didn't have the resourced to get professional work done. It's like asking the kid next door to devliver your baby. Your "client" better anti-up the money or get out of the business, because diabetes isn't something we take lightly.
Liz

[spike]

Ashgan: no one is going to risk their health on something some developed by someone who didn't have the resourced to get professional work done. It's like asking the kid next door to devliver your baby. Your "client" better anti-up the money or get out of the business, because diabetes isn't something we take lightly.
Liz

I don't think we need to worry that the fruits of their "labor" will get past stage one of FDA approval. In fact, the FDA will most likely have the laugh of a lifetime when they see the submission! :)

[lelggren]

I also have a problem with the use of the word "Revolutionary" in the title of this thread. It has been admitted by ashgan that they don't know much about diabetes and about insulin pumps, and so she knows nothing about this said revolution. To you, ashgan, we don't mean to insult you or anything, but we have this disease, and we know a lot about it. We have had no choice but to learn about it if we want to survive. Perhaps, if you came in here after having researched at least a little about diabetes and insulin pumps, then this thread could be a lot more effective. Also, I recommend doing that if you plan on coming up with any kind of strategy to market this product. It is not all like the little "guy playing basketball" commercial. There is a lot of things involved in diabetes and its management.

[archimeech]

Yet another poor Master's Student that has been tricked into the fame and fortune glamor of it all. This company can't afford a real company to do all this; well that should tell you something from the start. The fact that they are peddling their wares through a bunch of students free of charge tell me something else about their ethics. I ran into this type of company all the time through my Master's work. Always wanting me to "design the next best thing for them" Then actually thinking that I was going to hand over my design work without getting paid for it! Good luck on that degree, buddy. Hopefully, you'll mature before too many others take advantage of your youth and energetic naivette(sp?).

[gettingby]

Yet another poor Master's Student that has been tricked into the fame and fortune glamor of it all. This company can't afford a real company to do all this; well that should tell you something from the start. The fact that they are peddling their wares through a bunch of students free of charge tell me something else about their ethics. I ran into this type of company all the time through my Master's work. Always wanting me to "design the next best thing for them" Then actually thinking that I was going to hand over my design work without getting paid for it! Good luck on that degree, buddy. Hopefully, you'll mature before too many others take advantage of your youth and energetic naivette(sp?).
:dito: Sorry but I have to agree with the others.

[Dewey]

I think part of the issue here is that the people involved in this 'research project' are not Diabetics themselves. This is not to say they have to be, but it sure helps when someone who's actually going through something wants to improve upon it for the next generation (with the help of other tech. savvy folks, etc.). Such is the case with one student who's working on a wearable (watch-like) meter...Someone recently posted on that and I found it to be quite interesting, because the person involved is Diabetic himself.

Another eye-catcher here, was the fact that only MM was named, and Deltec, Disetronic, Nipro & Animas were left out (as Jenet pointed out earlier). It's fine if new companies want to try & start up, but there are many factors involved, and having background knowledge & understanding of product functionality is the best place to start.

These are just a few of my observations on it all....I changed the name of the thread, because it didn't quite fit. Here's hoping that whatever lies ahead for pump technology, will be beneficial to ALL.

[duck]

LOL, you guys are a bunch of cantankerous pumpers!

:1eye:

[koblenz]

That's why I love you guys.... always trying to figure out ways to stick it to the MAN! Yeah! :D

Lets cut this guy/girl a little slack (but not too much, it's a hard world out there), it's a class project and they all have to learn sometime. While I agree with everyones comments about this "company" and the way they choose to do their research, I will give her a B+ for at least finding this place and recognizing it as a possible valuable resource... oh and then surviving our onslaught! :boxing: