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Omnipod Insulin Pump

The Insulet Pump Review

The Omnipod insulin pump by Insulet Corporation has revolutionized pumping. But is everyone happy with it? Since the pump was introduced in 2005, users have been split between praising the device and criticizing it. So, what is the big deal? Let's take a look.

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Omnipod Pump - Corporate Overview

The Omnipod is developed by Insulet Corporation. The company is a remarkably inspirational story. The founder's son had diabetes and could benefit from insulin pump therapy. The problem was that traditional pumps were cumbersome due to the tubing and size. In response, the Omnipod was created. It is small, lightweight and requires no tubing.

Insulet was founded in 2000 and released its first pump in 2005. The company is located just outside of Boston in Bedford Massachusetts.

Omnipod Insulin Pump - Key Advantages

No Tubing: This is the whole point of this pump. The entire device straps to your skin, eliminating the need for tubing.

Small Size: Most of the electronic aspects of the device are in a handheld remote or PDA. Thus, the insulin pumping portion (cannula, insulin reservoir, etc.) adheres to your skin.

Painless Insertion: The cannula inserts remarkably easy into the skin.

Remote/Meter: You control the devise with a handheld remote PDA. There is also a built in Freestyle glucose meter. It is a one stop solution to insulin management.

Lower Upfront Costs: The upfront costs for the device are less expensive. However, you need to do a cost analysis to determine accurately your ongoing cost. Each Pod lasts only so long and you will need to buy many of them throughout the life of the product.

Coordinate with Insulet and your insurance company to make sure it actually is less expensive for you.

Omnipod Insulin Pump - Key Disadvantages

With great promise comes great responsibility or at least criticism in this case.

Inadequate Adhesive: Active users complain that the adhesive is inadequate. Often extra tape, an ace bandage, or some other attachment is needed to improvise the standard company supplied adhesion.

Poor Quality: Users complain that often the Omnipod will malfunction, requiring injections while a new Pod is delivered.

Poor Customer Service: Some users also complain that often the replacement Pod's will not be sent promptly. If you live in Boston (near where the company is located), then your wait is minimal. You could even probably drive to the company to get a replacement. If you live in far away from Boston, well get your needles out and ready. You may have to wait awhile.

Forgetfulness: If you forget the PDA when you leave the house or work, you cannot adjust the insulin flow in the Pod.

Infusion Set

Essentially the POD is a self contained infusion set. There is no tubing. Everything is included on the Pod except the insulin. Simply insert your insulin into the pod, attach and go!

Bottom Line

The Omnipod is a remarkable breakthrough in insulin pump therapy. Like many smaller pump companies we have reviewed, customer service can be a problem.

More so than many, choosing this pump really comes down to your personal feelings.

For some, the pumps flexibility and ease of use will far outweigh any inconvenience. For others, battling inconsistent quality and customer service issues to get new Pods may cause them to choose another more dependable solution.

Choose Wisely For You!



Technical Specifications

Model OmniPod/PDA
Size 1.6 x 2.4 x 0.7 (Pod), 2.5 x 4.5 x 1.0 (PDA)
Weight (battery/insulin) 1.2 oz.(Pod), 4.4 oz.(PDA)
Battery None(Pod), AAA(2)(PDA)
Infusion Set Connection None
Reservoir Size 200u
Basal Profiles 7
Basal Rates 24
Basal Increment 0.05
Basal Range 0.05-30 U/hr
Bolus Increment 0.05
Bolus Delivery 3 options
Memory 90 Days
Meter Compatibility Yes
Waterproof Yes (Pod), No (PDA)
Occlusion alarm Yes
Over Delivery Alarm No
Near Empty Alarm Yes
Backlit Display Color Screen
Warranty 4 years
Software Download Yes
Colors White

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What Is Your Experience With This Pump?

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Not Really Sure about OmniPod  starstarstarstarstar
I have been on the omnipod system for about a year now and up until this week my problems with the pump have been pretty minimal. This week however, I ...

Advice Please! To Choose OmniPod or Not?  starstarstarstarstar
I'm 14 and was just diagnosed six weeks ago today. I am not able to get a pump until the end of September because of the six month waiting period, but ...

Omnipod Needs to Mature, Check Back in a Few Years.  starstarstarstarstar
This is my first pump, I have had it for 5 months. While it is a great concept it has yet to mature. I selected this pump because I thought tubeless was ...

Bill - Not Happy With Insulin Pumps  starstarstarstarstar
I have serious problems with the OmniPod pump. My experience is different than the problems listed above at this web page. Those are minor problems that ...

Omnipod POD Unhappiness  starstarstarstarstar
I've been using the Omnipod since they first came out. Unfortunately, I've had many failures. It is a real pain to keep calling them and going through ...

OmniPod - Pod Malfunctions  starstarstarstarstar
I have been using the Omni Pod for just over 2 years now - the only pump I have ever used and have generally like it. However, in the past 1 1/2 months,...

Omnipod Update  starstarstarstarstar
After calling again to send back my OmniPod system, I spoke with a fantastic customer service agent who understood my frustration. We spoke for quite some ...

After 2 Years on OmniPod, switched to Medtronic  starstarstarstarstar
I used the Omni Pod system for 2 years and was at first pretty happy with it but have recently switched to a Medtronic and am both happier with it and ...

31/2 weeks - Omnipod, Not Happy  starstarstarstarstar
I've been using the pod 3 + weeks. I've already had 5 failures in this time. Company has said they will not replace units that fail by occlusion. I put ...

Mike - First time user of an insulin pump and I love it!  starstarstarstarstar
I have had the pod for just over a month now and really do love it. I was very against pumps and finally broke down and decided to try it, now I am not ...

John - Not Completely Happy With OmniPod  starstarstarstarstar
I have been using the omnipod for a little over a year now and have had several pod failures 2 of which did not give me any warning or recognize that the ...

Ron - I Like The OmniPod  starstarstarstarstar
I have been on the Omnipod for a month now. Previously I used the Cozmore and Animas Ping pumps. So far I like the Omnipod better. I would like to know ...

I love my omnipod!  starstarstar
I have been on the omnipod for a month now, and it is absolutely great! I disagree with most of the disadvantages listed in the above article.

The ...

OmniPod Cost Me $40,000 - And Didn't Work!  Not rated yet
The Omnipod is flawed. It is not a reliable system. it will work on and off. 30-50% of the pods fail out of box- before they are even on the body. Count ...

Ms. Insulin Pump  Not rated yet
I started on the Insulet Omnipod in April. I had a few problems in the beginning, but support has been great. This is the only insulin pump I have ever ...

OmniPod Insulin Pump - Back To The Drawing Board  Not rated yet
My son is 15 years old and has been wearing the Omnipod for 5 months now. He has experienced 8 serious infections, one on his abdomen and 7 on his arm....

Looking to Make OmniPod Change  Not rated yet
I have been using the OmniPod for about 8 months. It is my first pump.Initially I loved it. No tubing connection was my biggest appeal. But now, I am ...

OmniPod undependable  Not rated yet
I have been Diabetic for 49 years. I have been on pump therapy for 15 years using Minimed, Medtronic, Deltec, Animas, and Omnipod.

I thought the Omnipod ...

Omnipod User for 6 years - No More!  Not rated yet
Really the only reason I use this pump is the wireless capability. It's been nice to not have a larger pump attached, especially when traveling, but it ...

RELIEF! Very Happy with OmniPod Insulin Pump  Not rated yet
Today is my first day to wear the pump. Assisted by an RN that is a new friend. She is available for me to call as I was a little nervous about using the ...

Strung Along By OmniPod - Chet Mendenhall  Not rated yet
Experiencing Continuous occlusions with omnipod. The Company even sent a specialist to see me during the diabetic conference here in Hawaii. She convinced ...

New 2 Insulin Pumpin' - Love the Pod  Not rated yet
The OmniPod is my first pump, and have only had it for two weeks, so my opinion may not count for much! As I told my OmniPod educator, so far, I absolutely ...

OmniPod is Horrible For Me!  Not rated yet
I switched to Omnipod because after being a Minimed user for over twenty years, I became disappointed with Minimed's overall quality and customer service....

NOT TOO HAPPY..............With Omnipod.  Not rated yet
My son is diabetic currently using omnipod.
same complaints, the adhesive is not good, often having to tape it down or in most cases due to this problem ...

So, So. Happy first, but now not sure - Omnipod  Not rated yet
OmniPod was my first pump. I chose it because it didn't have wires and seems the best way to hide it. I LOVED it when i first got it, it changed my life....

Omnipod changed my life for the better  Not rated yet
I have been using the Omnipod insulin pump for 3 years now. Overall, I am highly satisfied with it. There have been a few malfunctions, but not that many ...

Lenny - Overall satisfied (since Aug 31, 2010) Omnipod  Not rated yet
A1c dropped from 6.8 to 5.9. I resisted going to a pump for years. Glad I finally got wise after speaking with fellow diabetics on the pump. Speaking ...

Kelly - Great Omnipod Review  Not rated yet
I have never used another type of pump before the Omnipod, which I have been using for over 2 years now. Before that, 7-10 injections per day with not ...

switching back...  Not rated yet

I have had the omnipod for 2 months and have decided to switch back to medtronic-minimed.

Two of the omnipods were knocked off, another one of the ...

POD's are better  Not rated yet
My daughter (13), who is very active in various sports, is using the Omnipod, and loves it. She has had minimal problems with adhesion and no problems ...

pump user  Not rated yet
I Love/Hate this pump. No tubing is Awesome!!! It's lightweight! I have not had to many pod malfunctions, so far. However... the adhesive SUCKS!!! If you ...

I love omnipod  Not rated yet
love it!!! i have had my omni pod for over a year and have only had one pod malfunction. i think the adhesive is fine if you aren't getting really sweaty,...



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We have compiled the above information and believe it to be accurate. Nonetheless, we do not warrrant it as such. Purchasing an insulin pump is a very persoanl and involved process. We encourage you to do your own due diligence.

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