[Diabetes-talk] Another new pump with some promise!

[Veronica Elsea]

Hi everyone!
I thought I'd share this with all of you, especially my fellow researchers.
<grin> I just found out about a new pump called the Snap.
It's made by Asante, a company not too far from my house. Ahem! Hint hint! 
They are just beginning to roll it out, starting in the east, Maryland,
Washington DC, western Pennsylvania and New England. I think I have that
covered. I know New York isn't in the initial group. The rest of us should
be brought in during the summer.
Anyway, the pump. It uses only prefilled Humalog cartridges. They're working
to add Novalog and other insulins. So the disposable part of the pump holds
the cartridge and the battery. The cartridge holds 300 units. So one thing
right off the bat, we wouldn't have to worry about low battery alarms we
can't read. When you snap the cartridge into the pump, it's self-priming,
which also includes removing all of the air bubbles. So no worries there.
It's not a touch screen pump. It has five buttons, I think. I went to the
web site and did find the manual. In prowling through it, I discovered that,
wait for it, wait for it, yes, keypad beeps. Apparently it has quite a bit
of audio feedback to let you know when you've cancelled something or backed
out of something, when something has completed, etc. There is an audio bolus
feature as well. 
I haven't yet figured out a few things like whether meal boluses are figured
into insulin on board. I also don't know its system for how often basal
insulin is delivered. But it's a very light-weight pump. 
The only thing I don't like, okay two things. First, it has its own
proprietary infusion set, only one. I couldn't quite figure out what sort of
cannula it was. So I'd have to give up my beloved Cleo's. Second, if you
want a long temporary basal, it bugs you with alarms every six hours. Like I
want to be awakened in the middle of the night just to be reminded that I
have a temporary basal set. Sheesh! So I have my list of questions and will
be contacting them for sure.
The web site for the pump is:
http://www.snappump.com
And the phone number for the company is:
Asante: (877) 244-8402
Anyway, I was sure happy to discover that there's some improvement for us
here coming soon. I still wish I could use the T-slim though. This afternoon
I sat down with my sighted hubby and it looks like it would be almost
impossible to adapt this pump using templates. Now, what we have to do is
convince sighted people that they need a Siri in this pump. Great for
driving! Hey Slim, I'm munching 30 grams of carbs as I drive. Yes. Confirm!
That would be a cool way for us to get access, wouldn't it! <grin>
Anyway, stay tuned!
Veronica

Watch the video as The Guide Dog Glee Club sings "Rehab!" Yes! Yes! Yes!
http://youtu.be/JvakJ5lk6Us
Then find more music from Veronica Elsea and The Guide Dog Glee Club at:
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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407