Jun 10
I want to preface this post with the note that I am actually really enjoying the OmniPod and is has some really wonderful functionality. It’s about 80% there.
My current list of complaints about the OmniPod system:
- Does not show Insulin left in the resivor until you are under 50u.
- Will not calculate bolus after first insertion (had to wait for my IOB to clear before it would calculate) — I must have missed a step to enter my current IOB, so it turned off the calculator as a precaution. Nice safety feature–yet annoying.
- Cannot change basal pattern without suspending basal.
- PDM is much too large and has a button I will never use — “?”. And it does not even work for more than half the menus. They could actually have designed the whole button interface with just four buttons and saved a ton of space (this is just asking for a iPhone like touch screen).
- UI is a little slow (but I would say that about all Insulin Pumps) — I like to flick through menus quickly when I know where I am going. Forcing me to slow down is annoying (but probably a safety feature to make me read it–while I actually am multitasking and not paying attention).
- Food library is not very helpful since it seems to be quite arbitrary AND it does not let you bolus from it — I want it removed from my home page (best part of the Cozmo, I could REMOVE crap I didn’t want to see).
- Calculates IOB in a strange way – only takes into consideration bolus on corrections, not food. It is easier to stack boluses without realizing it.
- Self-destruct mode – 3.5 days and the pod basically self destructs. I would much prefer that I could set an amount of units to remain as basal in the event of emergency. Basically, I want 10u that I cannot ever bolus, and will just deliver as basal at the end of the Pod. Again, this is a safety thing that I really liked in the Cozmo (always important when you could be stuck at sea/on a mountain).
- Screen quality is poor – cannot see in bright outdoor light and the screen scratches constantly.
Wants
Touch bolus on the pod. It’s so obvious to me — not sure why it is not there. (Cozmo had it, it looks like the Solo system may have it too)
OmniPod likes are too easy — however, the funtions they highlight when they sell/advertise the device is completely backwards in my opinion. It’s all about the automatic insertion. Stick it on, click go on the PDM, and it is done.
Cary,
I went from a MM pump to an Omnipod a couple months back and I wish I had done it sooner. I just love the thing. The 3 points I agree with you on are : The PDM should be slimmer/smaller, an option to have a button for bolus on the pod itself would be nice, and the IOB does need to be tweaked a bit. It’s not that I disagree with your other points, they just aren’t that big of a deal to me. I do use the “?” button when I want to brighten the back light on the screen, so I do find it useful.
Having said all this, blogs like yours that discuss possible improvements to the Omnipod system are great. As users, I think we all want to see continuous improvements.
Also, the Omnipod’s main selling point is a pump without tubes, so I’m not sure how that’s backwards, but the auto insertion should be stressed a bit more IMO as well.
Mike,
From a product design perspective, the PDM appears to have been a huge after thought to getting the wireless and Pods to be working better/smarter, etc. Which is likely the right decision. After they get the next-gen Pods released that are much smaller, they do need to work on their PDM quite a bit (getting it to the size of a older BlackBerry would be a huge step forward).
IOB should take into consideration meal boluses – it’s a small tweak to the software (they could even make it an option for all I care).
Changing the brightness should really be done in the settings like most phones and other electronics work with a phase out: Eg. Bright for 30sec, 10 sec of dim, then off.
Tubeless pumping is not a huge difference since (in my opinion), all pumps are going to be headed to tubeless versions very shortly. It is no secret that MiniMed is working on it (although pushed back to late 2011 or 2012 according to their investor presentations). Tubeless is the new way the game is going to be played — it’s a big change, and one that is necessary for future developments. Additional sites to be used, ease of insertion are two really big points that they do not push hard in their adverts.
Insertion of the OmniPod versus any manual insertion of a pump set is the difference between boiling and sharpening your syringes and the advent of disposable ones (followed by insulin pens with tiny needles).
-Cary
It will be curious to see how much smaller (if at all) the new PDM will be. I’m on the Dex, too, and my rep told that the reason that the Dex receiver is so large is due to the antennae which goes around the whole thing. I wonder if it’s a similar story w/ the Omnipod.
Good list. Like you, I like the Pod better than the pump, but it isn’t perfect, and it’s important to let them know that it’s not.
M
I’m pretty sure the reason these technologies are so big is they started development like 6 years ago before all the high tech iphone gadgets were so perfect and amazing. Basically for medical devices you must think what technology was 5-6 years ago and apply it to today due to the length of time it takes for FDA approval to take place.
That is one very true reason. However, it may be even more than 6 years in some cases (given FDA holding periods, R&D timelines, QA, etc). It’s a very poor reason to have old technology and is very annoying when we’re doubling performance on consumer electronics but seemingly unable to keep up in the medical world. There must be a better way.
[...] while back I wrote about how the OmniPod calculates IOB in a different way than my old pump. The OmniPod does not take into account meal boluses for IOB [...]
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The most annoying things about the omnipod is no insulin on board calculations for meal boluses. Important to me when I am exercising or taking a BG reading before bedtime. The other thing no one else ever mentions is that the pdm should have more functions. Why do I have to add up my daily carbs, shoild the pdm do this? The pdm also doesn’t average carbs over 30 days, TDD insulin etc. Adding these functions seem like relatively inexpensive changes/upgrades. I am a former cosmo user and the omnipod pdm is really “dumbed down” compared to what the cosmo could do. All of the technology went into the pod.The not yet or maybe ever in existance Solo is supposed to be difficult to use, the pdm is modeled after the cosmo-I look forward to a more sophisticated pdm, if not from omnipod from another company which I will switch to.
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Well, I just stated the ominipod and its greater than the shots, which were 6 times a day. I don’t like the not telling you the insulin is used up. The 3 days and you’re out is so true. The omnipod should hold at least 300 units for backup purposes. You can also use more insulin if you eat more, which means the pod may not last 3 days. I have been advised that the new model coming out during 2012 is going to be thinner and smaller which would be a treat as well. I really don’t like the move the pod closer deal. It’s suppose to be on a radio frequently and you can only be less than 4 feet away for proper insulin delivery. I am sure the next invention shall have a stick form of insulin going in your body, like a patch of insulin melting in your system and a circult transmittor, since its already hooked up in your body no more sticking the fingers. Just an idea. good luck and time shall tell. Right now, I am glad to have some relive from the highs(Once was 1015 and low was 5) Yes, I know the pros and cons of being a diabetic.