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Tandem has finally made its long-awaited app-based Mobile Bolus feature available to insulin pump users thanks to a recently released set of updates. We tested it ourselves to see how the first app-connected insulin pump works.
As highly regulated lifesaving devices, insulin pumps tend to be a bit behind the times. They are utility devices and didn’t get full color touch screens until a few years ago.
The ability to view your blood sugar, the status of your pump and, if necessary, deliver a manual insulin bolus from your phone has been a long time in the making. It is a big step towards modern life.
After first being approved by the FDA in february 2022the update is now available to users.
our devices
I have been a type 1 diabetic for about a decade. I thought I was safe, that I didn’t show symptoms of this generic disorder until I was in my early 20s. Type 1 diabetes is usually called juvenile diabetes and is much more likely to affect children than adults.
It is type 1 diabetics like myself who are most commonly dependent on insulin pumps as we are almost completely insulin dependent. My pancreas produces little or no insulin, forcing me to dose insulin by manual injection or through an insulin pump.
My tandem t:slim X2
I have been using the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump which is, so far, the only model that supports the new Tandem Mobile Bolus feature. Tandem has announced its new Mobi pump that will be screenless and completely mobile app-based for insulin delivery in late 2022 or early 2023.
I am also using my iPhone 13 Pro for this test. Many recent iPhones are compatible, starting with the iPhone X. For Android users, it’s a bit bleak. Only certain Samsung devices released in the last few years are supported.
Updating our devices
To use the new Mobile Bolus feature, you need version 2.1.3 (or later) of the Tandem mobile app and version 7.6 of the t:slim X2 software.
The update of the T:Connect application is free from the app storebut you must complete a series of training modules before the pump upgrade is available.
These modules guide you through everything you need to know about the Mobile Bolus feature. How to update your pump, how to deliver a bolus, how to stop a bolus, and much more. This is crucial and likely required for regulatory reasons so that anyone using it has a solid understanding.
I no longer think about being strapped to a pump 24/7, but it’s crucial to remember that insulin is vitally important. Too little or too much can have life-threatening impacts.
The Tandem Upgrade Process
Once I completed my training, Tandem emailed me a unique verification code linked to my pump’s serial number. I then entered that into the Tandem Updater app for Mac and it was on its way.
It is worth noting that during the update process, the t:slim X2 resets several times and you will need to use a new cartridge when you reset it.
Finally, the ability to manage insulin from our iPhone
I have been waiting for this day for a long time. My Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a long-time Apple companion, has worked with my iPhone and Apple Watch for years and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day I could manage my pump from there too.
T:Connect Mobile Bolus
Having to use the pump alone has always been cumbersome. It is not always easy to remove the pump from your pocket and its use can be conspicuous.
With the new update, you can manage insulin right from the app. You tap the bolus button and you can set exactly how much insulin you need to deliver, just like before a meal.
Application T:Connect
If you use the Dexcom CGM with the t:slim X2, the Tandem mobile app will automatically get your current blood sugar reading. It will then use this to calculate any corrections each time insulin is delivered.
For example, if your blood sugar tends to be low and you are about to bolus for a meal, the Tandem will decrease the amount of insulin to help prevent new lows.
An alert on our iPhone
Alerts from your pump are also displayed on your phone. If there is an occlusion, your insulin is running low, your battery is low, or ControlIQ has increased your insulin due to high blood sugar, you can see the alert from your phone, instead of having to take the pump out of your pocket.
You already have your phone available along with your Apple Watch. The combination of Mobile Bolus, notifications, and pump information provides a much better experience than the pump alone.
Not everything is perfect with this new implementation. You still have to clear alerts directly from your pump, and extended boluses can’t be programmed from your phone either.
But this new update shows a ton of progress that diabetics can be legitimately excited about.
Tandem t:slim X2 cost and availability
The Tandem t:slim X2 has been on the market for a few years and has continued to receive software updates. Without insurance, the retail out-of-pocket cost with a prescription is around $4,000. What you pay out of pocket varies depending on what coverage you have or don’t have.
For existing Tandem t:slim X2 owners, the online portal has the training for the update.