Medingo Solo MicroPump Soon to Be on Insulin Pump Market

On July 28, the Medingo Solo MicroPump Insulin Delivery System was cleared by the FDA. The Solo is a full-featured “detachable” tubing-free pump, similar to traditional, what we call “durable” pumps, but also having some similarities to Insulet’s OmniPod. The Solo differs from the OmniPod in two distinct ways. First, the Solo’s MicroPump is a three-piece design consisting of a three-month reusable pump, a 200U insulin reservoir, and a three-day disposable (cannula-containing) cradle. Second, the MicroPump has an on-pump bolus capability that uses “beeps” to tell the user how much insulin has been given. Like the OmniPod, the Solo uses a wireless remote that enables customized dosing (basal rates, insulin-to-carb ratios, correction ratios, etc.) and stores dosing data. Patients in the market for a full-featured tubeless disposable pump should note that Insulet will be releasing a next-generation pod in late 2010 or 2011 with a noticeably smaller profile (by about 30%) and the same 200U capacity. We look forward to seeing how insulin-dependent type 1 and type 2 patients receive the Solo MicroPump. As we understand it, it will have a small launch in a couple of regions early in 2010, and expand to a larger launch is by mid-2010. Pricing has not yet been set but is ensured to be competitive with existing pumps over four years, and new reimbursement codes are in development.