When your pancreas doesn’t work and the technology is taking too long, what to do? Make your own artificial pancreas!
Although I haven’t adopted this technology (yet), I met a woman last week who connected her continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to her insulin pump (Omnipod) with instructions found online and a transmitter to make her own artificial pancreas! The two devices “talk” to each other and she can manage her diabetes via her iphone! This is called “looping”, in reference to a closed loop system. The loop closes when the insulin delivery device (pump) and the blood sugar monitoring device (CGM) work in tandem.. She kept her blood sugar in range (75-135) for 99% of the time! It is amazing! And she did it herself with the help of the Diabetes Online Community #DOC. Check out the info and let me know if you decide to go for it! I am tempted!!!
DIY Community
Hats off to all the people who have made this possible. Here are a few of the resources I have found:
All about looping: https://loopkit.github.io/loopdocs/
Site to build iphone app: https://openaps.org/
Order the transmitter here: RileyLink
What the users have to say
How I Loop: Fewer Diabetes Interruptions at School
How I Loop: Two Years Using An iPhone App To Automate My Insulin Delivery
Patricia,
Wow, There are some really smart people out there. With my knowing you, there is a device that will follow. I have not forgotten to find you some names of possible contacts. I did share your site with a nurse at the VA in Dallas. Hope this finds you well and active???
John.
Thanks John! The device and looping are in my future, just a few hurdles first. Thanks for passing along my info!!!