Ypsomed Diabetes Care recently announced that their insulin pump YpsoPump® has been approved for sale in Canada and is now available for purchase. Here are a few things that we know about the YpsoPump®.
Who is Ypsomed?
Ypsomed is a Swiss company with a long history of involvement in area of diabetes devices. twicediabetes.com states that they were behind the Disentronic insulin pumps that were available between the 1980s and early 2000s.
According to Ypsomed Diabetes Care “Ypsomed has set itself the goal of making medical self-treatment a matter of routine for people with diabetes. This is why the development team of the YpsoPump had your needs in mind. The result is an insulin pump which focuses on the essential functions and is easy to handle. It features the best of 30 years Swiss medical device engineering.”
How big is the YpsoPump®?
According to the Ypsomed Diabetes Care website, the YpsoPump® measures 7.8 cm × 4.6 cm × 1.6 cm and weighs 83 g (including battery and filled cartridge).
In comparison, the Medtronic ® 670G measures 5.3cm x 9.6cm x 2.4cm and weighs 85g. The Tandem t:slimX2® is 7.95 cm x 5.08 cm x 1.52 cm and weighs 112g. The OmniPod system includes the OmniPod is 4cm x 6cm x 1.8cm and weighs 34 g with a filled pod. The PDM is 6.35cm x 11.4cm x 2.2cm and weighs 125g.
What are some of the key features of the YpsoPump®?
The YpsoPump® is marketed as an “easy to learn” insulin pump offering the “essential features”.
The features that we have seen include:
- 4.1 × 1.6 cm, OLED touch screen that uses icons to help you navigate the insulin pump options
- Pre-filled, 1.6mL (160 unit) glass cartridges that will last for 7 days in the insulin pump or up to 30 days if filled and kept in the refrigerator
- Waterproof rating of IPX8 (immersion to a depth of 1 m for up to 60 minutes)
- Bolus delivery in increments of 0.1, 0.5, 1 or 2 units
- 2 custom basal patterns set in increments of .01 units by the hour
- Temporary basal patterns that can be set at 0%-200% for 15 min to up 24 hours. They must be set in 10% increments.
- Uses one AAA alkaline battery that lasts for 30 days
- Mylife mobile app for smartphones that sync with the YpsoPump® via Bluetooth® technology.
Here more about the YpsoPump from Elaine Goudie and her son Finn on the Diabetes Goddess Podcast.
Mylife Mobile app
The Mylife app can be downloaded for both iOS and Android. From this app you will be able to customize screens and setting for your YpsoPump®. This is also where the carb calculator and insulin on board will live. You will not find these options on the insulin pump itself.
This app does not currently speak to the insulin pump. This means that once calculations are done on the Mylife app, they must be manually input into your insulin pump.
The Mylife app also has a great looking built-in log book. You will be able to enter data from activities as well as bg levels and carb counts in one spot to analyze.
Does it have a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
At the moment, the YpsoPump® does not work with any CGM or flash technology. It has been suggested that Ypsomed Diabetes Care is in talks with the key players and plan to add this technology in the future.
What will the YpsoPump® cost?
The regular retail cost of this pump will be $6400 (prices subject to change without notice). YpsoMed is currently working with all provinces to have their insulin pump added to provincial programs.
Provincial coverage for the YposPump ®
Currently, only the governments of Ontario and British Columbia covers the YpsoPump® insulin pump.
According to YpsoMed Canada, as of 13 January 2020, the YpsoPump® is officially reimbursed in the Ontario region and can be prescribed by health care professionals to people with diabetes that qualify for insulin pump therapy under the ADP.
You can contact YposMed Canada for more details.
What does it mean for people with diabetes?
Choosing an insulin pump is personal. The pump must fit your lifestyle and your needs. The fact that there is now a fourth option for people with insulin-dependent diabetes is wonderful.
If you are considering insulin pump therapy or are wondering if you should change from your current insulin pump, remember to shop around. Meet with all of the insulin pump reps and find the best fit for you. Our ebook on choosing an insulin pump can help you to figure out which features are important to you and give you ideas of questions to ask the representatives that you speak to.
I know those who have used it in Australia who I have read about say they like it. I think I like the screen. But that is just me.
Would like the special offer
Annette, contact Ypsomed and get added to their email list. info@ypsomed.ca
just started on the medtronic 670 can’t say that I’m overly impressed with it. How do I get my name on the list for a free one? Would definetly like to try it.
You can check the website https://www.ypsomed-diabetescare.com/en-CA/ or email them at info@ypsomed.ca