Omnipod Insulin Pump from Ypsomed
The history of the mylife Omnipod insulin pump technology comes down to a young boy who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992.
Doing his research, his father found that insulin pump therapy offered dramatically better control than injections combined with a reduced risk of long-term complications with greater freedom for his son in terms of diet and exercise freely.
But pump technology still had some limitations - particularly the tubing that runs from the pump to the infusion site and needing to take the pump off for some activities - non-waterproof ones even having to be removed for showering.
So dad gathered the best diabetes and technology experts he could find to form Insulet Corporation to improve on the traditional insulin pump.
OmniPod System
Hence the OmniPod System, initially launched in the United States in 2005. In January 2010, Insulet signed an international distribution agreement for the OmniPod System with Ypsomed AG, a leading independent diabetes specialist and technology provider that is bringing the technology to the UK.
What is the Omnipod insulin pump from Ypsomed?
The mylife Omnipod is a tubeless insulin pump. Only pump wearers who've worn tubing can tell you how amazing that is! The system combines a handheld device and an on-the-body 'pod' where the insulin is stored in and delivered from.
The pod stays on the body taking instructions from a handheld device via remote control. There is no need to disconnect the pod for showering, swimming, etc. Pods are inserted at the push of a button so users need not see or handle a needle.
Personal diabetes monitor
The handheld device is called the PDM (personal diabetes monitor). You use this to set basal and bolus rates via a colour screen, which makes a change from shades of grey as standard on other pump screens.
As it's not attached to your body, the PDM can be carried in a pocket, backpack, or handbag - wherever you would normally keep your BG meter.
On board, the PDM allows you to build your own personal integrated food library to help make carb-counting and bolus calculation fast and easy especially as the system has a built-in FreeStyle blood glucose meter - so one less thing to have to take with you (though you'll need a finger pricker and tub of sensors).
Omnipod insulin pump from Ypsomed technical information
- Batteries: 2 AAA batteries
- Support: 0844 856 7820
