Note both of them left off the “Loop” moniker. The Tidepool announcement says further information will follow. Sequel announcement indicated a partnership with DEKA (Dean Kamen’s organization). Neither indicates a pump the AID would work with, though DEKA did produce an “investigational pump” back about 2021. Lots of questions outstanding…
@Eric Yep, that’s one of the questions! Most of the reporting just mimic’s Sequel’s FDA release. Many show either a pump or infusion set device (a round object on one end, 3-4” in diameter, then a tube and a tube connector) that Sequel has available for download on their website). I mentioned potential for compatibility with the DEKA pump, but that’s pure speculation on my part. It could be they’re looking at putting the AID software out there with at least one pump manufacturer willing to make their pump(s) accessible by it and hoping others will do so as well…though that seems like a financial recipe for disaster.
It’s interesting what we get excited by, eh?! (Hey, it COULD be life impacting…)
The CEO Alan Lotvin has been doing interviews podcasters that have come out this week.
Sooo I’m thinking this pump sounds really good. The CEO said something to the effect that it will know if there is an insulin flow problem 17 seconds after it happens even in people who use small amounts of insulin. I’ve had a lot of clogged Omnipod cannulas but have never once received an alert. I only realize it’s clogged once I get into the 250s. I believe this is due to the fact that I use a low amount of insulin but I’m not sure. I would be thrilled with this sort of feature.
There were a few other differences from the Mobi as well. Such as the Loop algorithm, bolus from Apple Watch, and no need to take off for short swims or showers. IOS only for now but I don’t think it’s going to be available for awhile?
Algorithm is actually on the pump in the same way that Mobi and OP5 are. I see this as a big advantage over DIY.
I think l I will try this out when it’s commercially available. The only problem will be I’m going to have to learn LOOP.
@Josie Thanks for posting this, I hadn’t seen it and it offers some additional info on the system and good reference for size. Seems slightly larger than my Dash pods, due to the round design, and possibly a little bit thicker, but not much. Having the software in firmware and onboard would seem a plus though it would seem to ensure no “tinkering” by users (this presumes they add some form of security to their code other than limiting the connections).
@Josie The fact the code can be relatively easily modified is a plus for all those that use Loop, iAPS, AAPS, etc. The Tidepool folks are upfront the Tidepool app is about 3 years behind the current Loop program and wont likely catch-up to the DIY effort; the reason is Tidepool and other manufacturers have to go thru the FDA approval process and it takes time. On the good side, Tidepool and others can pretty much pick, choose, and use any of the new code developed in the open-source community as long as they give appropriate credit or modify it for their own purpose(s), but it still has to get by the FDA with testing to prove safety and effectiveness. (Note: I probably sound like I don’t like the FDA; in fact, I think they serve an essential service, but too often they’re overly conservative (except when they aren’t), bound by law that can’t/doesn’t keep up with tech capability, and their process(es) too slow, often due to manpower availability.)
Has anybody here gotten their hands on the Twiist yet? Curious if it will finally be something nice enough to get me off of the Omnipod. So far I haven’t found anything good enough to get rid of being tubeless.
@chris113113 If you go to their website, you can put yourself on their waitlist to be informed when its available in your area. Other than that, I haven’t heard of anyone using it as yet.
@TomH My January 2025 formulary lists the Twiist pump. Whoa.
I’ve been on the wait-list for well over a year. Crossing my fingers. I can keep using my current infusion sets (several approved), and it’s compatible with several CGMs.
I got called on the 6th from a rep at sequel asking if I was still interested in the pump. The rep said they were told they were aiming for a early 2025 release. It seems like they are trying to shorten the waitlist calls they need to make for when it actually does release
I let them know my 2025 formulary already lists the Twiist! So they updated all my current insurance info etc, as I’d be an ideal customer. We also verified my existing infusion set is compatible - which it is.
I asked about my pump’s existing warranty - the Twiist is completely filled through Pharmacy - not DME. There is no up-front cost to the twiist, just the pharmacy copay. In which case, health insurance won’t even care about the existing pump warranty. (I will be able to use it as backup to twiist, if it doesn’t work out.)
They haven’t finalized which CGM will work first - however, I let them know I’m on G7 and am testing Libre 3+. Another plus, my health insurance covers both.
Also, the mobile device: will start with iOS but they have already been working on the Android and anticipate that will be available “soon.” I let them know I’ll get a used, cheap iPhone just for the pump! They gave me the version compatibility…I’ll have to find that.
@MsCris and @djf Please let us know when/if you get the Twiist and, if so, what you think of it, what phone its working with, pros and cons. I’m sure there are several people interested!
I also got a call from Twiist last week, but was asked more about what questions I had than about my insurance information. These are the answers I received:
Release timeline is still being finalized but they hope to release in the first half of this year.
The electronic part of the pump will be sold through pharmacy as a “starter kit” and will have a 3-year warranty.
Reservoirs will be sold through pharmacy and available as a pack including Cleo 90 infusion sets OR without infusion sets. The pump is compatible with any luer lock infusion set (purchased separately if not Cleo 90).
CGM compatibility has not been finalized yet. I was asked what CGM compatibility I would prefer. (I said Dexcom G6 > Libre > Dexcom G7)
Initially, the pump will be compatible only with iPhones with software version iOS 17 or later.
The “starter kit” will come with 2 batteries that can be pre-charged and should be exchanged every 3 days. (I’ve now read elsewhere that it comes with 4 batteries, but not sure about the discrepancy.)
The pump uses “Sequel’s own version” of Tidepool Loop with “Safety Guardrails”. The person I talked with didn’t seem to have any concrete information/understanding about what the algorithm is or what customization entails, but did confirm that it allows the user to set a target BG between 87-187 and uses a 6hr forecast.
The pump is very sensitive to occlusions. This was presented as a positive, and I wish in retrospect that I had asked if the sensitivity can be turned down (the T-slim occlusion alarm is already way too sensitive for me - they happen regularly, but are almost never real).
The pump dimensions are 5.9cm x 5.5cm x 1.7cm. I failed to verify that this is the whole pump and not just the electronic half, but wish I had after reviewing some of the promotional photos (which, in some cases, show only the electronic half).
