Tech Watch: Omnipod 5 Connects With Libre 2 Plus, Medtronic's Smart Pen App Gets the Go-Ahead
With so many things happening in the diabetes tech world, it can be hard to keep up. Stay up-to-date here with the latest diabetes tech news and alerts.
Omnipod 5 Integrates Freestyle Libre 2 Plus CGM
The Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system now works with Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus continuous glucose monitor, Insulet announced this week.
Adding compatibility for the 15-day CGM may appeal to people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use Omnipod insulin pumps and prefer Freestyle Libre CGM sensors.
Insulet's Omnipod 5 joins the Tandem t:slim X2 (Freestyle Libre 2 and Dexcom G6/G7) and Beta Bionics’ iLet (Dexcom G6/G7 and Freestyle Libre 3) in supporting both Abbott and Dexcom CGMs.
The Omnipod 5 is a tubeless, waterproof patch pump that can be worn for three days. The pod has an integrated algorithm that can adjust insulin doses based on blood sugar levels every five minutes. The system costs about $50 per month for users with insurance or about $600 without.
Users in the U.K. and Netherlands have had access to the Omnipod 5 and Libre 2 Plus integration since June. More than six million people now use Freestyle Libre sensors worldwide.
Medtronic's Smart Pen App Gets the Go-Ahead in the US
The FDA recently cleared the app for Medtronic's InPen, a smart device used for multiple daily injections (MDI). The clearance will allow Medtronic to begin a limited release of its smart MDI system, with broader commercial availability to be announced later.
The InPen system allows users to calculate and track their insulin doses, which will help avoid missed doses. The pen connects via Bluetooth to the company's Simplera CGM, which records blood sugar levels every five minutes.
The InPen app can take a blood sugar reading from the Simplera CGM or blood glucose meter and calculate a premeal dose or correction, if necessary, based on the glucose reading, active insulin, and carbs entered before a meal.
The reusable pen lasts for one year without a need to charge. The InPen also monitors insulin temperature to maintain its effectiveness. Medtronic says most people with insurance will pay about $35 for an InPen per year. The full price without insurance is $549.
Medtronic has aimed the smart insulin pen at those who use multiple daily injections because of cost or personal choice. The InPen may also provide a path for those who want to transition from MDI to an AID system.
Smart Ring Oura and Dexcom Pair for Health Tracking
Dexcom and smart ring maker Oura have announced plans to integrate continuous glucose monitoring with health and fitness data. The readings will appear in the Oura and Dexcom apps to shed light on how sleep, stress, vital signs, and other factors affect blood sugar levels.
The Oura ring is worn on your finger and tracks a wide range of health and fitness data, including motion, heart rate, and heart rate variability, which the company uses to track sleep quality and measures. The ring also measures body temperature and motion, which combined with heart data, helps monitor stress levels. The company says temperature can also be used to track menstrual cycles, which can impact glucose levels.
The initial app with integrated data from the ring and CGM is planned for the first half of 2025. The Oura ring sells for between $299 and $449 (depending on the style).
Omnipod 5 App for iPhone Now Available
The iPhone app for the Omnipod 5 is now available for download in the Apple App Store. The new software is an upgrade for Insulet Omnipod 5 users who will now be able to carry one less device, called the controller, to operate the automated insulin delivery system.
"With the iPhone app, a user can deliver a bolus of insulin for a meal, change a pod, and check CGM values and trends," said Eric Benjamin, Insulet’s executive vice president and chief product and customer experience officer.
Also new is a "custom foods" feature that allows users to save frequent meals to reduce manual carb counting. To use the app, Omnipod 5 users will need iOS 17 or 18 and a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor.
The iPhone version joins Insulet's Android app that was released last May.
Tidepool Will Support Abbott's Freestyle Libre CGM Devices
Software company Tidepool announced Monday that it will integrate data from Abbott's FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitors (CGM) into Tidepool+, an online tool for viewing data on a wide range of diabetes devices.
Tidepool+ provides a way for users of diabetes tech to see insulin pump, CGM, and glucometer data in one place. That data can then be easily shared with healthcare providers.
Blood sugar readings and treatment information can be uploaded to Tidepool+ from supported devices and the Tidepool Mobile app. Users can also manually upload data from other devices. Now Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre has been added to the list, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their Libre data into the Tidepool+ online tool.
No timing has been announced yet for when FreeStyle Libre CGM data will be able to be integrated into Tidepool+.
New Bionic Pancreas App Released
Beta Bionics, manufacturer of the iLet Bionic Pancreas automated insulin delivery (AID) system, recently introduced the Bionic Circle app, which allows up to 10 people to remotely follow a user's blood sugar, meal, and dosing data. An iPhone version was released last month and the app is now available for Android smartphone users.
The Bionic Circle App sends data from the iLet AID system to the cloud, which can then be viewed by those who accept an invitation to use the app on their phone. The app then remotely displays CGM readings, meal announcements, insulin doses, and alerts for high and low blood sugar.
The app's release for Android will be especially helpful for parents, caregivers, and loved ones who want to see iLet pump and CGM data regardless of whether they're using an iPhone or Android device. The free app can be downloaded from the Apple App store or Google Play.
Medtronic Recalls Insulin Pumps Due to Battery Issue
Medtronic has issued a voluntary recall of MiniMed 600 or 700 series insulin pumps due to a battery issue that may occur when devices are dropped or receive a jarring impact.
Pumps dropped just once could provide a shorter-than-expected battery life, even after the battery is replaced. A damaged pump could fail to alert the user with the typical amount of battery life remaining, which could stop insulin delivery prematurely. If insulin delivery is stopped unexpectedly, hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis could result.
Users are advised to replace the battery as soon as the "low battery pump" alarm sounds. Medtronic also recommends that MiniMed pump users carry extra AA batteries with a full charge. If you’re experiencing significantly low battery life, contact Medtronic to see if a new pump is needed. The company said it would replace any pump experiencing the issue at no charge.
Customers in the U.S. can call the Medtronic support line 24 hours a day at 1-800-378-2292. Customers outside the U.S. should use the Medtronic international contacts page.