Jamie Marvin, from the Insulet Corporation, explained basal rate and bolus to the non-pumpers, how a pump works, and how a pump gives more control and quality of life.  Two great features of the Omnipod pump are:  tubeless and watertight.  Their Omnipod pump will eventually be 40% smaller and will coordinate with a CGM (after FDA approval).  The compatible CGMs will be the Abott Navigator and the Dexcom Seven Plus.  Their PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) manages the insulin delivery and has a built in Freestyle blood glucose meter. For more information, go to http://www.myomnipod.com/  Jamie very patiently worked with individual kids (Erica and Kim) on loading insulin and the device functions, to show them how easy it is to use. 

The ADA (American Diabetes Association) Camp Rosholt near Stevens Point was discussed.  If you’re interested, be sure to call the Milwaukee office (414-778-5500) now to be placed on the mailing list for registration materials.  Registration is early in the year (February) and spots fill quickly.  Normally, camp has been the last week in July and first week in August.

A big thanks to Kevin Koppenhaver for covering the childcare at this meeting!

Mark your calendar for the next meeting, October 26, and take care, until we meet again.

Eileen

New York, NY and Franklin Lakes, NJ (January 19, 2010) – The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) announced today an innovative program aimed at improving the treatment of type 1 diabetes by developing novel insulin delivery products to enhance the use of insulin pumps.

Through the program, JDRF will support BD’s research and development of new products that deliver insulin from a pump to a patient in either an infusion set or patch-pump configuration. Research indicates that there are significant opportunities to enhance pump therapy by improving convenience as well as minimizing pain, kinking, occlusions and site infections. An additional goal of the program is improving the speed at which insulin works. These enhancements are intended to improve how people with diabetes control their insulin therapy and have a positive impact on their overall level of glycemic control.

Read the full story.

The national JDRF has an entire site with more information about the artificial pancreas project.