[Diabetes-talk] talking insulin pump remote: Pump Mate

[Mike Freeman]

Chanelle:

I am in contact with Access Solutions concerning this pump remote but didn't think this was ready for prime time yet. I have informed NFB President Dr. Marc Maurer of this possibility.

I am virtually certain that I will get flamed for what I shall say next and I mean no disrespect to you in saying it. But in my opinion, we can write to Medtronics MiniMed till we're blue in the face and absolutely nothing will come of it. Why? Because there aren't enough of us to make it worthwhile for the company to make the investment to manufacture the pump remote and secure FDA 510(k) cergification for it which would mean that the company would have to certify the remote's accuracy and would take on the risk of liability for flaws.

However, this is not the end of the road. I have spoken with John Pare, Director of NFB Strategic Initiatives and he believes that diabetes equipment including BG meters and insulin pumps would be covered (the Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind, HR-4533, introduced into Congress this year. So we need to work like mad to get our representatives to sign on to this legislation as cosponsors.

Mike Freeman, President
Diabetes Action Network
National Federation of the Blind


----- Original Message -----
From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Date: Friday, Apr 9, 2010 12:27:55
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] talking insulin pump remote: Pump Mate

>
>
> Dear list,
> I don't know if this information has been posted yet, but it is super excited. A talking remote is being made for the insulin pump. The remote is being made by a company called Access Solutions www.axsol.com. I just spoke with James Kubel, the engineer who created the Pump Mate. He has had diabetes for 40 years and was frustrated by the lack of a talking insulin pump and the fact that there was no interest in producing one by insulin pump companies. The website for the Pump Mate is www.pump-mate.com
> James is trying to get Medtronic Minimed's cooperation and support in developing and producing the Pump Mate. It would be great if those who are interested could contact Minimed to express interest in the pump mate and desire that Minimed would help to market and produce it.
> With the Pump Mate, it is possible to program basal rates, use the Bolis Wizzard, and hear test results from the meters that Minimed has specifically designed to transfer data to and from the insulin pump. This has amazing potential since the Pump Mate could someday be used in conjunction with the continuous glucose monitoring system.
> I have pasted James's contact information below, and I am sending him a carbon copy of this message in case he would like to join the list or provide feedback.
> 
> Access Solutions
> james at axsol.com
> sales: (916) 481-3559
> 
> Chanelle
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