People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who use Omnipod® insulin management systems are about to get an upgrade! Insulet just announced it has obtained clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its updated DASH Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) handheld, Bluetooth-enabled tubeless pod and paired user/caregiver mobile apps.

Those who use Omnipod’s PDM will now be able to control the insulin pump with functions that include taking a mealtime bolus and programming basal rates from the touchscreen device. Omnipod DASH will have a limited launch this summer leading up to broader U.S. availability in early 2019.

The FDA clearance gives people more choice in how they manage T1D, and an important part of the upgrade is the ability to check insulin data on smart phones via an app that connects to the PDM via Bluetooth. This lets caregivers observe insulin levels remotely, and, for parents, means they can check on their children while they are at school, at a friend’s house or anywhere that is not physically next to the child. The new platform also lays a groundwork for Omnipod to easily update its software remotely in the future.

At JDRF, we believe managing blood sugar should be less complicated. Today’s insulin saves lives, but it is still difficult to achieve the tight control over blood glucose that occurs naturally in people without diabetes. JDRF is funding research into other therapies and technologies that could dramatically improve blood-sugar management, making day-to-day life with T1D easier, safer and healthier.

To learn more about our work to keep highs and lows in check, click here.

Insulet, an insulin management technology company, has been a JDRF global corporate partner for 10 years.