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2024-12-23

Welcome to News from Loop and Learn

Master Your DIY Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System

Published on 23 December 2024.

In this edition:

Upcoming Zoom Sessions

Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion (Open Mic) zoom meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday of each month.

Zoom Sessions use this link:

Topic Recorded? Time Date
Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion
Open Mic		 no 19:00 UTC 09 January 2025
Loop and Learn: Speaker Series
Adam Brown		 yes 20:00 UTC 16 January 2025

Time Zone Converter

Need help figuring out when an event happens in your time zone? Try the SavvyTime: UTC Converter.

End of the Year Updates:

This year has been marked by growth, innovation, new collaborations and meaningful milestones. We are grateful to all who spend their valuable time helping make the world of OS-AID more available to those who wish to use it and are excited to highlight two significant updates to close out 2024 on a high note!

ADA Standards of Care

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care for 2025 recognizes Loop/ OS-AID as a viable option.

This is an exciting time for Open Source! Section 7.29 of the ADA Standards of Care for 2025 recommends that providers “support and provide diabetes management advice to people with diabetes who choose to use an open-source closed-loop system.” This article also outlines many other valuable and impactful standards. Providers need help in understanding and embracing OS-AID options and how they work, and you will see info on that in an upcoming newsletter.

Dexcom G7 Geofencing Update: Advocacy at Work

This year, we helped numerous stressed-out Loopers fix this issue mid-vacation so they could keep their CGM working. It was a long haul and a lot of work by our team and others. Here’s great news...

With the new Dexcom G7 app (v2.6.0), you can reconnect anywhere!

Please note that your initial setup of the Dexcom G7 app must be done in your home country. The first time you start the app, it verifies that the country you are in matches the country of residence in your account. This ensures you receive the resources and features approved for use in your location.

Thanks to those who raised their voices, including Stacey Simms of Diabetes Connections and Justin Eastzer of Diabetech, who joined our efforts to keep G7 usable for international travelers. Perseverance paid off!

Version Updates

Loop, Trio, Loop Follow and Loop Caregiver have successfully been built to a phone running iOS 18.2 using a Mac with macOS 15.1.1 (and macOS 14.6) and Xcode 16.1 (and Xcode 16.2).

Please see our Version Updates page for reference.

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More Dexcom G7 News

Dexcom G7 Pairing Help

Trouble pairing your G7 sensor?

Here’s a helpful tip:

The sensor contains a magnet-activated switch that usually flips upon insertion. (Until then, it is in the “off” position to conserve battery.) If your sensor doesn't activate automatically, you can use the applicator, which contains a magnet, or any common magnet you have on hand to flip the switch and activate it. Just run the magnet around the perimeter of the sensor.

Here's a video on Facebook.

Dexcom G7 Direct to Watch Help

To aid in making Direct to Watch connections with G7, be sure to delete all previous Bluetooth:Dexcom connections on the watch itself. This is done on the watch itself by selecting watch Settings > Bluetooth and forgetting devices that begin with DXCM. If you forget the current device name, the watch will ask if you want to pair with it again.

This is similar to the suggested procedure of forgetting previous Dexcom devices on the Phone, under Settings > Bluetooth.

What is Goosenecking

“Goosenecking” refers to a G7 sensor issue where the filament wire fails to insert properly and protrudes through the small hole. This means the sensor likely won’t work correctly. Contact Dexcom to report the issue and request a replacement.

Thanks to Carb Counting Mama for making us aware of this occasional G7 issue on her Facebook page . Here’s a photo of what it looks like, from a post on Reddit.

Have you had this happen?

Let us know in our Facebook group!

End of Year Checklist

Many of us have a little “breathing room” during the last week of the year. Here’s a great way to still be productive during that time- and things you’ll want to do even if you don’t find yourself with extra end of year time.

  • Be sure you are using Loop 3.4.4 instead of an earlier version.
  • Former Loop-dev users who have moved back to Loop-main should remove Loop-dev from TestFlight. This should include all Loop users who are not actively testing developments in the dev branch at this time.
  • Make sure you have an up-to-date Apple Developer agreement and have your account set to auto-renew, with a credit card on file, if possible.
    • Follow these instructions to declare non-trader status at Apple to comply with the Digital Service Act.
  • Check your app (bottom of the Loop Settings screen) to see when you’ll need to rebuild (if you build with a Mac) or reinstall from TestFlight (if you use Browser Build) and put reminder(s) on your calendar.
  • Put Open Mics on the calendar for 2nd Thursdays and join us!
  • Subscribe to have this newsletter delivered to your inbox (if you haven't already done so, use the new google form to add your name for when we change newsletter services).
  • Dexcom G7 users should update to v2.6 of the Dexcom app.
  • GitHub users (this means you!) are now required to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) as an additional security measure before January 26, 2025 or be restricted from account actions. See this link
  • When you have a CGM or pump failure, in addition to calling it in to the manufacturer, please report it to the FDA using this form.
    • Reporting can help make our tech more reliable and you do NOT have to be a US user to do this!

Where did that Bolus come from?

Ever wonder whether a bolus was manually entered or automatically delivered by Loop? Here’s how to tell:

  • Tap on either Insulin plot on the main screen to open the Insulin Delivery, Event History screen
  • If the pump event is still in history, tap on it to view the full display
  • You will see a wall of text
    • What you are looking for is this:
    • automatic: Optional (false) means a manual bolus was entered
    • automatic: Optional (true) means Loop calculated a recommended bolus and issued it automatically

Note that all times in this view are in UTC, not your local time zone.

Are you surprised that a bolus was manual? Pro-tip: Always lock your phone before putting it away to avoid an accidental bolus.