This content material initially appeared on diaTribe. Republished with permission.
By April Hopcroft
Individuals who use t:slim X2 or iLet insulin pumps can now use the Dexcom G7 CGM as a part of their automated insulin supply methods. This is step one towards offering extra selection in diabetes administration, and extra integrations are on the horizon.
Dexcom G7 steady glucose monitor (CGM) customers within the US can now use both the t:slim X2 or iLet insulin pumps to handle their diabetes as a part of their automated insulin supply (AID) methods. These integrations signify an development in AID, as they permit folks with diabetes to select from completely different sensor and pump choices.
“That is the day we have now all been ready for,” stated Dr. Diana Isaacs, director of training and coaching in diabetes know-how at Cleveland Clinic. “With an extra CGM option to work with, we’re one step nearer to the true imaginative and prescient of permitting folks extra selection of their diabetes know-how.”
Nevertheless, due to confusion with the Dexcom G7 packaging, some customers could encounter issue discovering the suitable model of the sensor that’s appropriate with their pump. Many are hopeful that this drawback might be resolved quickly.
Customers of the iLet Bionic Pancreas might want to wait till Dec. 18 for his or her insulin supply system to combine with the G7.
What are the important thing benefits of the Dexcom G7 CGM?
Individuals who use the t:slim X2 and iLet insulin pumps will be capable to profit from the next options of the Dexcom G7:
Isaacs highlighted the flexibility to overlap sensors with the G7 – so no time is spent out of closed loop – and the better flexibility for altering sensors with the grace interval characteristic. In comparison with the G6, the G7 additionally presents improved accuracy and extra customization of alerts, comparable to the flexibility to pick glucose values for the fast rise and fall alerts.
The Dexcom G7 is on the market in over 10 completely different nations, together with the US, UK, Canada, Eire, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
Tandem integrates t:slim X2 with Dexcom G7 by way of free software program replace
All in-warranty t:slim X2 customers within the US will obtain e mail directions for the free software program replace to combine the G7. In the meantime, new t:slim X2 pumps might be pre-installed with the Dexcom G7 integration earlier than they’re shipped to new clients.
Along with giving t:slim X2 customers entry to key options of the G7, the up to date software program contains the next parts:
- A timer for train mode that permits for a length length of half-hour to eight hours
- Extra tones for pump alarms and alerts, comparable to for the bolus, fast bolus, CGM alerts, and fill tubing notifications
- A “Choose Sensor” display so customers can change between utilizing Dexcom G6 and G7 {hardware}
Wanting forward, Tandem stated the t:slim X2 pump with Dexcom G7 integration will launch in extra nations exterior of the US in early 2024.
Which Dexcom CGMs is the t:slim X2 appropriate with?
Present t:slim X2 pump customers will be capable to use both the Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 CGM for his or her diabetes administration. Dexcom G6 customers can change over to Dexcom G7 at any time when is most handy.
What to know earlier than integrating the t:slim X2 with the Dexcom G7
Regardless of the rollout, some clinicians are questioning how accessible the combination might be for folks with diabetes.
“Everybody has been ready for this integration for a very long time,” stated Dr. Irl Hirsch, professor of medication on the College of Washington. “Everybody ought to be joyful, however they aren’t.”
He stated the distributors are “sending the mistaken G7 (the one which doesn’t speak to the Tandem) to sufferers.” Hirsch cautioned that some customers might need a tough time distinguishing the labeling of the Dexcom G7 that’s appropriate for integration and the G7 that isn’t appropriate for integration.
Hirsch nervous that this might result in issues receiving the suitable model on the pharmacy. Sooner or later, he stated he hopes that Dexcom G7 packing containers might be completely different colours or higher labeled to assist differentiate the G7 variations.
Due partly to this complication in Dexcom CGM packaging, getting Tandem pump customers up to the mark with the most recent sensor could show harder than anticipated.
- The t:slim X2 pump (software program model 7.3 or later) is appropriate with all variations of the Dexcom G6 sensor.
- The t:slim X2 pump (software program model 7.7 or later) is simply appropriate with sure variations of the Dexcom G7 – particularly, sensors which have a white line under the LBL quantity on the backside of the packaging, as proven within the picture at proper.
Tips on how to be sure to have the suitable Dexcom G7 sensors on your Tandem pump
Earlier than integrating your t:slim X2 pump with the Dexcom G7, it’s a good suggestion to verify the packaging of the G7 sensor to see if it contains the white line under the LBL quantity. Dexcom’s web site features a hyperlink to submit a type in case your Dexcom G7 sensor isn’t appropriate with the t:slim X2 pump.
You’ll be able to at the moment entry Dexcom G7 sensors that combine with the t:slim X2 pump by way of sturdy medical gear (DME) distributors, comparable to Edgepark Medical Provides, Byram Healthcare, and Superior Diabetes Provide. The appropriate G7 sensors might be out there in pharmacies beginning in early January 2024.
Earlier than beginning the software program replace, you’ll want to finish coaching. You’ll find a useful guidelines and preview the replace course of right here.
iLet bionic pancreas AID system to combine Dexcom G7
Beginning Dec. 18, the Dexcom G7 may also be appropriate with Beta Bionics’ iLet bionic pancreas AID system. Because the iLet is the primary AID system to require just one piece of enter – a consumer’s physique weight – it considerably reduces the burden of diabetes administration for sufferers, caregivers, and healthcare suppliers.
As with the t:slim X2, all you should do to combine the iLet and G7 is obtain a free software program replace. iLet customers can use both the Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 steady glucose monitor, or change backwards and forwards, relying on their provides and preferences.
“Our objective is to offer our sufferers selection with their CGM know-how and to have the ability to replace shortly and simply with out new {hardware} or extra prices,” stated Sean Saint, CEO at Beta Bionics.
How can I improve my iLet to attach with the Dexcom G7 CGM?
If you’re a present iLet consumer, obtain or replace the iLet app from the Apple App retailer or Google Play retailer (out there on Dec. 18). From there, you’ll be capable to replace the software program on the iLet Bionic Pancreas AID system.
What these integrations imply for folks with diabetes
Making insulin pumps appropriate with completely different CGM sensors is step one towards better selection and customization in diabetes care. In the end, specialists envision a world by which folks with diabetes can select from completely different CGMs, insulin pumps, and insulin supply algorithms to handle their diabetes through AID.
“I like giving folks with diabetes extra choices and I’m joyful to see Tandem and Beta Bionics incorporate the Dexcom G7 CGM,” Isaacs stated.
Future integrations are coming, too. Individuals with diabetes who use Insulet’s Omnipod pump ought to be capable to use the Dexcom G7 in early 2024, and Tandem is engaged on integrating the t:slim X2 with FreeStyle Libre CGMs. Tandem has stated that t:slim X2 integration with Abbott CGMs will roll out to a small group of early customers earlier than scaling as much as full launch in early 2024.
“In terms of diabetes administration, we don’t imagine it’s one measurement suits all,” Elizabeth Gasser, Tandem’s Chief Technique Officer, stated. “Our continued objective is to offer folks with a portfolio of choices that they’ll select from.”
