[Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Thu Jan 23 00:57:15 UTC 2014

I don't think we really know the answer to that Alan, because it's just
easier to continue saying no one is going to work with us and leave it at
that.  

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Alan Lemly
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 3:34 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

I just need to get more familiar with what the FDA requirements are. I'm
certainly not advocating any shortcuts that would affect the efficacy of the
products we use.

Are those developing new blood glucose meters such as LifeScan (Johnson &
Johnson) which have bluetooth capability required to jump through any more
hoops from the FDA perspective to make them accessible with VoiceOver? I
suspect that the accessibility shortcomings these products have are not due
so much to the FDA but to the poor design and planning on the part of the
developers. I mean the app that works with the heart monitor that Bridgit
posted about appears to be accessible so why couldn't a blood glucose meter
app also be?

I just find it very discouraging that vendors developing products for those
with a disease that is one of the leading causes of blindness don't consider
the blind and our accessibility needs when developing new products,
especially products for iDevices that already have accessibility built in.

Alan

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 3:02 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

It's not naïve and stupid. The thought has occurred to me also. But I wonder
if that's what we *really* want?

On the one hand, we want FDA to ensure that devices and medications are safe
and bitch to high Heaven when it drops the ball (think viox and Celebrex).
Yet we moan and groan when devices aren't brought to market quickly enough
to suit us, essentially saying we don't want FDA to be careful. We can't
have it both ways.

But it's certainly something we should think about.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Alan Lemly
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 12:57 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

I apologize if I'm oversimplifying but it seems as if the 510(k)
certification is the culprit preventing us from getting accessible products
developed due the additional costs it imposes. I realize the need for FDA
certification but was wondering if we've ever tried to get different
certification procedures for accessible equipment for the blind which could
either be accelerated or involve less costs to manufacturers.

I'm new to thinking about all this so if any of that sounds naive and
stupid, please be gentle.

Alan Lemly

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 11:59 AM
To: 'Everett Gavel'; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Hi, Everett.

I'm afraid the likelihood is damned near nil. You may remember that Prodigy
was supposedly working on an accessible insulin pump a few years ago but,
for all practical purposes, dropped the project. I suspect the reason was
very simple: the development process plus the cost of getting a pump FDA
510(k) certified so that it could be marketed/sold in the U.s. was too great
for the number of accessible pumps that might be sold.

Moreover, there is in prototype already such a device -- the Pump-mate,
developed by James Kubel of Access Solutions (we gave him a Bolotin award
last year). Take a look at http://www.pump-mate.com to read about it. At one
time, Medtronics engineers were working with him to perfect the device but
said engineers are no longer working for Medtronics and it won't give Mr.
Kubel the time of day anymore. I suspect the reason is exactly the same --
too costly to develop and get a system certified for the revenue that would
be generated.

I realize that no one wants to hear/read this but I think we should confront
reality head-on: this is part of what it means to be a minority (remember,
we've said from the days of Kenneth Jernigan onward that the blind are a
minority).

I wish things would change but there's no easy fix.

Mike Freeman

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 9:19 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Hi Mike, and all,

I've signed on recently for a Medtronic pump, though the actual name escapes
me as i write this. Sorry about that. However, despite the beeps and bops it
makes audibly, it's not, of course, actually accessible as we know
accessibility. 

It comes with it's own glucose meter, and my question (if not more a
suggestion to the industry) is, what is the likelihood of Prodigy, which
makes an accessible, talking glucose meter (which I absolutely love),
working with pump makers to incorporate their prodigy meter to work with
pumps instead of these inaccessible models now being used? 

Just an idea to throw out there, I guess. 

Strive On!
Everett

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