Minimed's Product Comparison

Funnygrl · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:01 AM

I just came across this today. Minimed's habit of outright lying about the competition to make their product look better is maddening to me. How does Animas, which uses a standard luer lock connection infusion set, have more "limited" choices of infusion set than Minimed with it's proprietary connection? How is Omnipod, with their pod recycling program, any less environmentally friendly than Minimed? Omnipod tracks active insulin the same way Minimed does, and I feel Animas's calculations are overall safer, yet of course Minimed gave themselves that category too.

I don't dislike my Paradigm pump, but this bull gets old.

Subby · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:19 AM

I agree, that comparison list sucks. But, those things are almost always a pack of lies wrapped up to look slick. Oh, hang on, there's a term for that - "marketing".

Animas is no saint either. OneTouch Ping Comparison - Animas Insulin Pumps | Animascorp

They claim that since you can't program a bolus from a meter, the mm does not have "full functionality from components". That's a rather big claim, when you consider mm's have an integrated cgms component and pings currently don't, which is a MUCH more considerable functionality issue. They say this is an issue of "confidence". What, you'll be confident using your pump if the buttons stop working - it's ok you can use the meter? Er, whatever.

They claim that a mm remote needs to be purchased seperately (I got mine included with my pump a couple of years ago with zero fanfare, Animas are either out of date, not quite precise here, or lying).

The claim the mm is only "spash resistant" - whereas the MM pump has a waterproof rating of IPX7, from the mm site - "means the device can withstand submersion to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes."

I agree medtronic is full of bull and it's vague "limited" slurs against Ping and Omnipod seem more surly than effective to me. What the heck does "Yes" vs "limited" mean anyway? But, it strikes me they all tend to slip around in the dung when it comes to the marketing.

Funnygrl · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:32 AM

Yeah, I agree all companies have marketing lies, Minimed just seems to be the worst offender. Remotes hasn't been included with the pump since the 508 here. It costs $150. Ridiculous. Minimed itself calls their pump only splash-proof.

Subby · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

Yeah, I agree all companies have marketing lies, Minimed just seems to be the worst offender. Remotes hasn't been included with the pump since the 508 here. It costs $150. Ridiculous. Minimed itself calls their pump only splash-proof.

That is ridiculous about the remote. I'd almost offer to send mine to anyone, I've barely used it, but I can't be sure I might not suddenly get some urgent need for it! Can't think what, but I did think it would be good the last time I went to a wedding. It should be included, and either I got some unannounced special or it's just default here.

The splash proof issue is mystifying, they rate their own pump with a clear watertight rating on the "glucose monitoring" comparison page. If they can't be bothered being clear about it, guess they asked for it.

SammyIamToday · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 07:47 AM

Noticed it when talking to the sales rep from Minimed when I was getting my pump. I had mentioned I wanted the Omnipod (tubeless) and had gotten denied by my HMO because they were out of plan or whatever.

So, I had already decided to go with Minimed because it was the easiest approval (which she knew) and she still went on for a couple of minutes trashing the Omnipod and how their new tubeless system they are coming out with will be better. And it might be, but it's not out yet. At least she did say they will offer an upgrade program.

poodlebone · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 08:22 AM

I think for the infusion set comparison they based it solely on the official sets that Animas sells themselves. It's funny because Animas sells Minimed's luer lock Quick-Sets too! On the other hand, people like to say that Minimed has a limited number of sets due to the proprietary connection but that's not really true. You can get the same types of sets for a MM pump as any other (two types of teflon 90 degrees, teflon angled, steel 90 degrees, steel angled) and they come in various cannula & tubing lengths. There's no lack of variety. Sure, you may not be able to get one with a built in inserter but that doesn't make the set itself any different. There are also third party sets made for Minimed pumps that require NO adapter (Orbit 90) and third party reservoirs that will allow you to use any luer lock set with Minimed. So Minimed really does have access to the biggest number of sets.

OmniPod did introduce a recycling program last year but the user has to pay to return the pods. How many people do you think are actually doing that? If Insulet included a prepaid return box with every shipment of pods it would make much more sense.

I don't get the "Safely Tracks Insulin" comparison either. I've read that the Cozmo was actually the best at calculating IOB.

sarahspins · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

That is ridiculous about the remote. I'd almost offer to send mine to anyone, I've barely used it, but I can't be sure I might not suddenly get some urgent need for it! Can't think what, but I did think it would be good the last time I went to a wedding. It should be included, and either I got some unannounced special or it's just default here.

I got mine because I called up and argued with MiniMed that since my 508 had come standard with a remote, which I gave back to them, I needed one for my Paradigm at NO CHARGE. They sent me one.. no argument

That was back in 2002 though... I don't know if they'd be so accommodating now. It's actually sitting on my desk right now.. even though I have absolutely ZERO use for it.

I actually did use mine a bit with my paradigm pump.. but the functionality was very limited compared to what the ping meter can do.

Something I noticed on Animas' site is that their info for the Omnipod is out of date.

FWIW, Minimed is coming out with all-in-one sets later this spring. They will be called the Mio and are basically identical to the Inset II available from unomedical (which is slightly different than the regular Inset from Animas).. except they will have the proprietary paradigm connection. So, Animas won't have the edge on the all-in-one infusion sets for much longer. Having used both, I think the design of the Inset is much better than the Quickset, and it's much easier to insert as well. I used to have tons of problems with kinked quickset cannulas and I have not had a single Inset do that so far... in fact I have only had one "bad" Inset site and I clearly hit a vein, so that almost doesn't count.

Omnipod does not track active insulin the same way that Animas and Minimed do... meal boluses are NOT counted in the IOB, only corrections. For me that would be a problem..if I am at say 90 at an hour after a meal, and still have 3u IOB, I want to know. It doesn't always mean I am going to take action on it, but I do like knowing that I COULD run low before it happens... it just makes me more aware.

Russell A. · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:20 PM

I will not do my usual rant about any pump company. But it really is down to (2) conventional pumps and than Omini. It seems to have gotten worse and worse since I started pumping 7 years ago.

You just have to do your homework and educate yourself to make a decision.

Guess, business is business and everyone is fighting for the eternal dollar! LOL

Russell

Funnygrl · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyIamToday

Noticed it when talking to the sales rep from Minimed when I was getting my pump. I had mentioned I wanted the Omnipod (tubeless) and had gotten denied by my HMO because they were out of plan or whatever.

So, I had already decided to go with Minimed because it was the easiest approval (which she knew) and she still went on for a couple of minutes trashing the Omnipod and how their new tubeless system they are coming out with will be better. And it might be, but it's not out yet. At least she did say they will offer an upgrade program.

They offer an ungrade program, but my pump is almost out of warranty and they haven't had an upgrade yet. Buy based on what's out now, not what's promised.

SammyIamToday · #10 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

They offer an ungrade program, but my pump is almost out of warranty and they haven't had an upgrade yet. Buy based on what's out now, not what's promised.

I didn't really have a choice if I wanted insurance coverage on my pump. Omnipod isn't covered and some people have been able to get the Ping, but most get denied. Minimed gets approved super easy, so I decided to not bother after my first appeal for the Omnipod was denied.

I figured getting a pump was better than having more control issues with MDI.

For what it's worth I feel like the support people at Medtronic are better than the people I talked to at Insulet, but that could have just been me and the individuals I talked to.

The people that let Congress vote in the HMO Act should be ashamed. Stupid HMO's.