I recently heard about The Solo. The solo is a tubeless insulin pump similair to the Omnipod. It seems to have a lot of great features. Detatchable insulin cartridge, you can wear the same "cradle" for 30 days, and the cradle (part conected to body) has bolus buttons right on the device.

I just ordered the demo kit.  I will have a detailed blog about it when I get it!!!

Here is the link to their site: Solo4You

Here is a link to a video about the solo.

Can't wait for you to get that demo kit.  Is the new pump that just got FDA approved?  If it is, they are launching it this week i think at the ADA.

Hopefully this pump takes meal boluses into consideration for Bolus on Board (OmniPod doesn't)

So the cradle stays connected by tape for 30 days in the same spot... or you just replace it because of batteries every 30 days?  I'm guessing #2

I also ordered the demo kit today!  I want to learn more about this pump for sure.  I called their offices today and got a message that the office will be closed as they are all at the AADE conference to announce the release of the product.  I was hoping to get some idea of the cost of this pump compared to the OminPod.  Plus I have some questions about the cradle setup.  Looks like you get two of them with your startup kit.  I guess I will need to be patient!

I ordered my demo kit yesterday - but the site said they will only send it when the solo is actually available in your area, and in Hawaii we are the last to get almost all the new technologies.  I want to give it a look over, for sure - I almost went with the Omnipod when my Minimed warranty was up last fall, but ended up going with Minimed again because I didn't like not being able to quick release and re-attach the pod.  I could definitely dig a pump with no tubing that I could quick release for moments of "vanity."!  And for hanging out in the hot tub!  

I ordered my demo kit yesterday too. I can't wait to see it!  It looks great!  Just wondering about insurance coverage, the materials they use for the catheters (I was allergic to the ones from MiniMed) and how long an insulin supply it holds (used to be able to go three days on MM)

But tubeless?  Looks great!

Insurance coverage is going to be the big question for sure.  Usually that is going to be the hardest part.  But it is a pay as you go pump, so I would assume some pumpers will do that without the insurance coverage and hope to get a prior auth.

I wish the insurance companies would cover these new devices upfront, instead of waiting that 9 months period sometimes to see if there is a need.  It is hard to see a need sometimes if everyone is paying out of pocket.

We are fighting with our insurance company now to cover a CGM for our daughter.. Luckily they paid for the pump last year, but getting coverage for the CGM is more difficult. I'm not giving up Blue Cross!!!! (hope they read this)

Ok this solo pump has promise, but why don't they just make it exactly like the tubed pumps with the screens on it? then again that would suck if the glass from the screen broke and you were wearing it.

I think they don't put the screens on the tubless pumps to save costs - if the screens are on a pdm you only have to buy once, it is much cheaper than putting them on each individual unit.  

It would be nice if it was on, there!  That was one of my worries that kept me from the Omnipod this time - I am constantly losing my cell phone, I didn't want to lose the pdm!  I would be willing to face that worry for a tubeless system that I could easily disconnect, though...

Eevn though i am not on an insulin pump right now, i am very interested in this. Will check it out and post on my site ASAP, once I review it.

Melinda Monks at 05:38AM on Aug 08, 2009

I think they don't put the screens on the tubless pumps to save costs - if the screens are on a pdm you only have to buy once, it is much cheaper than putting them on each individual unit.  

It would be nice if it was on, there!  That was one of my worries that kept me from the Omnipod this time - I am constantly losing my cell phone, I didn't want to lose the pdm!  I would be willing to face that worry for a tubeless system that I could easily disconnect, though...

Just curious, how often do you loose your BG meter?   I have been on the OmniPod for 4 years now and have never lost my PDM.  I have lost my keys and iPhone numerous times.

O also can't imaginekeeping a pod in the same location for 30 days. site irritation would seem to be quite a problem,   The OmniPod in my case at leasy casuses quite a bit less site irritation than a conventional set due to automatic insertion and wobble free stability fo the cannula.

Personally I see no advantages in disconnecting. Since I never even know where the OmniPod is located, why would I ever want to take it off? 

As a design engineer I only see reliability problems in a multi piece system.  It is not just 2 pieces there are numerous pieces required to create the docking station.  

Also the auto insert/ auto prime features of the OmniPod will probably not be in this system unless they license them from Insulet as they hold patents on them.  These are 2 reatures that really separate the OmniPod from all other pumps.

As you probably know  tgere are 12 companies working on "patch pump tecknologies" including MM whi is have ing trouble with theres.  My sources tell me MM is loosing market share to Insulet and needs to get a patch pump out sooner rather than later.

As far as IOB calculations, some people seem to make a big deal of what the OmnniPod doesn't do.  Personally O have no problem with that the OmniPod odoes. If I program for food, I expect that I did it approximately right.  If I did a correction, that I need to know the IOB for that so I don't stack Boluses.  I like the OmniPod way of doing IOB.

Still loving my OmniPod- wish I had it when I was 4-so simple I could have used it

You actually don't leave the pump in the same location for 30 days.  You still rotate your site with a new cannula every 3 days.  What lasts 30 days is the pump battery and machinery.  You would use it for 30 days and then the battery dies.  Then you use a new pump/pod for another 30 days.  Since the pump lasts only 30 days, it supposedly doesn't get a chance to wear out from docking or undocking the pump.  Check out the video here to see how the insertion is going to work.  It is a different set up than the Ominpod. 

I am glad to hear the Ominpod is working so well for you.  I personally am just excited that there will be another choice on the market for now.  I look forward to seeing what MM and Animas come up with for a tubeless pump too.

Andy at 03:29PM on Aug 12, 2009

Melinda Monks at 05:38AM on Aug 08, 2009

I think they don't put the screens on the tubless pumps to save costs - if the screens are on a pdm you only have to buy once, it is much cheaper than putting them on each individual unit.  

It would be nice if it was on, there!  That was one of my worries that kept me from the Omnipod this time - I am constantly losing my cell phone, I didn't want to lose the pdm!  I would be willing to face that worry for a tubeless system that I could easily disconnect, though...

Just curious, how often do you loose your BG meter?   I have been on the OmniPod for 4 years now and have never lost my PDM.  I have lost my keys and iPhone numerous times.

O also can't imaginekeeping a pod in the same location for 30 days. site irritation would seem to be quite a problem,   The OmniPod in my case at leasy casuses quite a bit less site irritation than a conventional set due to automatic insertion and wobble free stability fo the cannula.

Personally I see no advantages in disconnecting. Since I never even know where the OmniPod is located, why would I ever want to take it off? 

As a design engineer I only see reliability problems in a multi piece system.  It is not just 2 pieces there are numerous pieces required to create the docking station.  

Also the auto insert/ auto prime features of the OmniPod will probably not be in this system unless they license them from Insulet as they hold patents on them.  These are 2 reatures that really separate the OmniPod from all other pumps.

As you probably know  tgere are 12 companies working on "patch pump tecknologies" including MM whi is have ing trouble with theres.  My sources tell me MM is loosing market share to Insulet and needs to get a patch pump out sooner rather than later.

As far as IOB calculations, some people seem to make a big deal of what the OmnniPod doesn't do.  Personally O have no problem with that the OmniPod odoes. If I program for food, I expect that I did it approximately right.  If I did a correction, that I need to know the IOB for that so I don't stack Boluses.  I like the OmniPod way of doing IOB.

Still loving my OmniPod- wish I had it when I was 4-so simple I could have used it

I don't actually lose my bg meter that often - misplace it here in the house and have to hunt for it, but I have never actually lost one in public.  My life is just hectic right now with two small kids, so losing things (even for a few hours) is just a fact of life for us - and one that I readily admit does not make me a good candidate for a pump without on-board dosing system at this time. 

As for the disconnecting, that is just totally an issue with my personal vanity, and nothing more.  I don't typically know where my Minimed site is without looking, but I just don't like to be hooked up to it all the time. I know I would eventually get used to not disconnecting, but old habits die hard....

So glad the pod is working great for you! I am hoping I find a similar solution that works well for me one day...

I was on the MM for some time before they developed the disconnecting set. We used to have to take the pump and put it in a plastic bag or this hard plastic box to shower or swim. (It was a pain), Personally I just found life with the 715 MM (the most recent I used) so hard compared to life with the OmniPod,  Many women wear the pod on there lower back (just behind where the love handles might be) where it is very hard to see.  I've also seen pods on small 4 year olds.  Personally I've just seen such an improvement in the quality of my life using the pod vrs using a conventional pump.  I'm not exactly sure how to describe how free it makes me feel.  Personally until you've been using autoprime, auto painless inject for a while it is hard to understand.  

I also hope Solo raises the bar for all pump companies. I have requested a demo kit.  One thing that I believe Insulet is working on is the ability to insert both the insulin catheter and the CGMS probe from the same pod.  

I know that there PDM will soon commucincate with both the Navigator and the Dexcom systems.  Right now if you ask me if I would give up the Pod to get a MM 722 with CGMS the answer is no.  The CGMS just doesn't bring that much to the table in it's present incarnation. CGMS and insulin delivery from the same pod, now that is a different story.  :-)

Andy at 01:14PM on Aug 13, 2009

I was on the MM for some time before they developed the disconnecting set. We used to have to take the pump and put it in a plastic bag or this hard plastic box to shower or swim. (It was a pain), Personally I just found life with the 715 MM (the most recent I used) so hard compared to life with the OmniPod,  Many women wear the pod on there lower back (just behind where the love handles might be) where it is very hard to see.  I've also seen pods on small 4 year olds.  Personally I've just seen such an improvement in the quality of my life using the pod vrs using a conventional pump.  I'm not exactly sure how to describe how free it makes me feel.  Personally until you've been using autoprime, auto painless inject for a while it is hard to understand.  

I also hope Solo raises the bar for all pump companies. I have requested a demo kit.  One thing that I believe Insulet is working on is the ability to insert both the insulin catheter and the CGMS probe from the same pod.  

I know that there PDM will soon commucincate with both the Navigator and the Dexcom systems.  Right now if you ask me if I would give up the Pod to get a MM 722 with CGMS the answer is no.  The CGMS just doesn't bring that much to the table in it's present incarnation. CGMS and insulin delivery from the same pod, now that is a different story.  :-)

One of the hurdles they are facing with the design of a pod and a cgms sensor in one is that the cgms sensor will give false readings being that close to where insulin is going into your body.  I agree with you on the MM system with CGMS, because that sensor is barbaric with it's huge needle!  The DexCom sensor and needle are virtually painless to insert and the wire that is left in you is so small you never feel it. Animas and OmniPod are working towards using the existing sensor design of the Dex while they figure out how to integrate into a single insertion for cannula and cgms sensor.  There are exciting things on the horizon for all of us with this technology. I'm glad that Medingo jumped into the fray with the Solo.

Suzanne at 10:19AM on Aug 15, 2009

Andy at 01:14PM on Aug 13, 2009

I was on the MM for some time before they developed the disconnecting set. We used to have to take the pump and put it in a plastic bag or this hard plastic box to shower or swim. (It was a pain), Personally I just found life with the 715 MM (the most recent I used) so hard compared to life with the OmniPod,  Many women wear the pod on there lower back (just behind where the love handles might be) where it is very hard to see.  I've also seen pods on small 4 year olds.  Personally I've just seen such an improvement in the quality of my life using the pod vrs using a conventional pump.  I'm not exactly sure how to describe how free it makes me feel.  Personally until you've been using autoprime, auto painless inject for a while it is hard to understand.  

I also hope Solo raises the bar for all pump companies. I have requested a demo kit.  One thing that I believe Insulet is working on is the ability to insert both the insulin catheter and the CGMS probe from the same pod.  

I know that there PDM will soon commucincate with both the Navigator and the Dexcom systems.  Right now if you ask me if I would give up the Pod to get a MM 722 with CGMS the answer is no.  The CGMS just doesn't bring that much to the table in it's present incarnation. CGMS and insulin delivery from the same pod, now that is a different story.  :-)

One of the hurdles they are facing with the design of a pod and a cgms sensor in one is that the cgms sensor will give false readings being that close to where insulin is going into your body.  I agree with you on the MM system with CGMS, because that sensor is barbaric with it's huge needle!  The DexCom sensor and needle are virtually painless to insert and the wire that is left in you is so small you never feel it. Animas and OmniPod are working towards using the existing sensor design of the Dex while they figure out how to integrate into a single insertion for cannula and cgms sensor.  There are exciting things on the horizon for all of us with this technology. I'm glad that Medingo jumped into the fray with the Solo.

You see this is why I need someone who is a Type 1 to write for my blog. I never have had a pump or a CGMS. So, I can't tell the experiences that someone has with these devices. Thanks for posting all of this guys and gals. This helps me to understand what people with a pump and a CGMS goes through.

That's what we need. Understanding of anothers situation so we can unite and become one voice against the bureaucracy that holds our health care in their hands, yet they know nothing about it or at least very little.

Just found out some more info. on this Solo Pump.

According to Craig Crease at Solo, The pump will be ready for clinical trials in January 2010 and will not be made available commerically until approximately May of 2010. Also, when they did the unveiling at the AADE they gained leads to hold the clinical trials at different cities, but nothing is in concrete yet as to exactly where they will hold these trials. Craig suggested that if you wish to find out ongoing information from these clinical trials it would be best to join the community area online at http://www.solo4you.com/?page=OurCommunity.

I would recommend we all join.

Just wanted to let you know I receoved my Solo dummy sample today. It is slightly smaller than my OmniPod.  Haven't had much time to play with it yet.  I like the bolus on pod buttons.  If the adhesive they use on the samples is the same they will be using on the finaly version, it is much weaker than the OmniPod and they will have no end of troubles with it.  I'll let you know more as I play with it.  If I'm not mistaken it inserts at 90 degrees which will be a problem for me since in 15 years of pumping I have never been ablet use any 90 degree sets without almost 100% occulsions. I hope I'm wrong on this.  Andy

Hey guys. While doing research on my first pump I looked into the solo. Evedently they sold out to Roche labs. The new tenative date for release is late 2012. Hopefully this will change as I was really looking forward to this pump! But the merger killed this being my first pump...heres hope for my second!