Like conventional insulin pumps, the OmniPod features precise, personalized continuous insulin delivery with basal rate and bolus delivery options, safety checks and alarm features. The difference lies in the innovative, award-winning design. Its two parts communicate wirelessly, which eliminates the tubing, and the Pod’s automated insertion is virtually pain-free. The PDM has a fully integrated FreeStyle® blood glucose meter, so there is nothing extra to carry, and no manual entry is required. This makes the OmniPod simple to learn and easy to live with. In addition, the OmniPod allows you to get started on pump therapy with a lower upfront cost than conventional insulin pumps.
Because the Pod has no tubing, there is never a reason to disconnect, so you are always receiving insulin—delivery is truly continuous. By contrast, people who wear traditional pumps routinely disconnect to bathe, swim, play contact sports or during intimate moments. A recent clinical study confirmed that even a 30-minute interruption of basal insulin delivery results in significant glucose elevation.
Today, the OmniPod System can be paired (not integrated) with any available continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. We currently have development agreements in place with both Abbott Diabetes Care and DexCom. In the future, you may have a choice of FreeStyle Navigator® or DexCom Seven Plus® CGM technology integrated directly into your OmniPod System.
The OmniPod System downloads insulin delivery, BG and carbohydrate records to the CoPilot™ Health Management System, enabling you to create customized reports, charts and graphs of your records. You can download this software at no charge.
Designed for discretion, the Pod is: 1.6 in x 2.4 in x 0.7 in (4.1 cm x 6.2 cm x 1.7 cm). The PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) is: 2.5 in x 4.5 in x 1.0 in (6.4 cm x 11.4 cm x 2.5 cm); about the same size as a personal digital assistant (PDA).
The Pod has a watertight IPX8 rating. The watertight Pod can go in the pool, the ocean, the shower or the tub for up to 8 feet for 30 minutes with no need to disrupt insulin delivery.
The PDM is not waterproof.
Yes. We recommend that you contact your airline for information on current security requirements. The PDM and Pods can safely pass through airport x-ray machines. If the security detector goes off, tell the security screener that you have diabetes and wear an insulin pod.
Yes. You can play sports and participate in physical activities while wearing a Pod—just leave the PDM in your gym bag. When changing Pods, we recommend choosing the most appropriate site for the planned activities (when possible). For more suggestions, please contact our Customer Care department.
No, the Pod and PDM do not always have to be near each other because they are not in constant communication. You only need to have them near each other when you need to program insulin delivery, or respond to Pod alarms or alerts.
For programming insulin delivery or responding to Pod alarms or alerts, the PDM and Pod need to be within 24" of each other. Otherwise, they do not need to be near each other at all. The Pod will continue to deliver your current background (or basal) insulin, even if your PDM is not nearby.
During priming, each Pod establishes a unique, one-to-one relationship with your PDM, so there is no chance of someone else’s PDM interfering with your OmniPod System.
The Pod is designed to be used with U-100 rapid-acting insulin. The following U-100 rapid-acting insulin analogs have been tested and found to be safe for use in the Pod: Novolog,® Humalog,® or Apidra.® Before using a different insulin with the OmniPod System, check the insulin drug label to make sure it can be used with a pump and consult with your healthcare professional.
The Pod can hold up to 200 units of insulin; it requires a minimum of 85 units of insulin to begin operation. Simply fill the Pod with the amount of insulin you will need while wearing it, up to 200 units. For example, if you plan to use a Pod for 48 hours, you need to fill it with enough insulin to last you 48 hours.
The Pod uses an adhesive similar to the adhesive used with common infusion sets. The adhesive is latex-free, acrylic-based and ideal for holding the Pod, even in the presence of moisture. It is designed to hold the Pod securely in place for the duration of wear.
The Pod’s automated cannula insertion enables you to wear it many places. We recommend that you begin on your abdomen since it is easy to access and see what you’re doing. Once you have mastered using the Pod, however, you can wear it on your leg, upper thigh, lower back or the back of your upper arm — in fact, anywhere you would give yourself a shot. Of course, you want to avoid wearing the Pod within 2" of your navel, and in other areas where belts, waistbands, or tight clothing may rub against, disturb or dislodge it.
A Pod expires 72 hours after activation. You should refer to the insulin labeling and follow your healthcare provider’s directions concerning when to replace the Pod.
The Pod’s cannula is 9 mm. Its hands-free, virtually pain-free, automated insertion takes just 1/200ths of a second, during which the cannula is inserted to a depth of approximately 6.5 mm at a 45-degree angle.
Yes, the Pod has an IPX8 watertight rating; this international standard means that the Pod has been tested to function normally in 8 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. As a precaution, if you plan to be in water for a long time, we recommend that you get out occasionally to make sure that the adhesive is still securely attached to your skin. Because the temperature of most hot tubs can spoil insulin, making it ineffective, we do not recommend wearing the Pod in a hot tub, unless you keep it out of the water.
Your Pod will continue to deliver your current background (or basal) insulin, even if you do not have your PDM with you. However, you will not be able to make changes to your basal delivery, deliver bolus doses, test your BG or respond to alarms or alerts when your PDM is not with you.
Our experience has been that very few people lose their PDM. However, if you do lose your PDM, please contact Customer Care immediately to purchase a replacement. In most cases you will receive your replacement within 24 hours. Of course, some people like to order a back-up PDM to have on hand just in case.
Simply access the order formsonline or through your healthcare provider’s office. The OmniPod System is a prescription-only device, so you will need to work with your healthcare provider to complete the order forms.
The OmniPod System allows you to get started on pump therapy with a lower upfront cost than conventional insulin pumps. Your actual cost for the OmniPod System will vary based on your insurance coverage. We are happy to process your paperwork to find the exact costs for you and your family.
Insulet has secured insurance coverage for the OmniPod System with a broad range of national and regional health insurance plans. When you place your order for the System, we will contact your insurance plan to understand your benefits, and then contact you to review them with you before completing your order.
Yes, we do offer toll-free Customer Care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at 800.591.3455 (When calling from outside the US, please dial 781.457.5098). Our Customer Care Representatives will be happy to help you with questions about your OmniPod System. The Customer Care number can also be found on the back of your PDM and on the end of each Pod.
Simply call our Customer Care department at 800.591.3455 and select the option to place an order from the menu prompts. This line is staffed Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 8:00 PM, eastern time.