Skip to content

2025-03-04

Welcome to News from Loop and Learn

Master Your DIY Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System

Published on 04 March 2025.

In this edition:

Upcoming Zoom Sessions

All zoom sessions use the same Zoom link.

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

Zoom Calendar

March is tricky: Some folks switch to Daylight Savings Time March 9, others switch to Summer Time March 30 with some countries not changing time and a few changing on different dates. The time listed below is UTC.

Zoom Sessions use this link:

Topic Recorded? Time Date
Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion
Open Mic		 no 18:00 UTC 13 March 2025

Time Zone Converter

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

Pod Faults

How do you tell if a Pod failure is pod-related or Loop-related? Our resident expert tells us:

Any fault other than 0x31 (decimal 049) is a pod error.

It is known that using pods to loop does increase the drain on pod batteries, but most pods are able to handle it. If the fault happens on the third day - it might not have happened with the PDM.

  • If it’s an Eros pod, it may be related to having a lot of RileyLink failures - which can lead to excess battery drain on the pod.
  • If it’s a DASH pod, there’s nothing we can do.

If you get an 0x31 fault or if you wonder about Eros faults, you can request the Loop Report be evaluated (ask on Facebook and a mentor will help you.)

  • Only the Loop Report matters for a pod fault: (Loop, Settings, Issue Report)
  • The critical log is not needed
  • If anyone has a 0x31 (decimal 049), we definitely want to know and want the Loop Report

Swollen Batteries

One of our members got a battery pack out to charge a phone and found that the batteries were swollen. This is a dangerous situation, as the device could catch fire or explode. Remember to check each of your devices regularly for swelling- and remember to check the ones that you may have stored, too!

If you find visual evidence of swelling, do not use and dispose of the battery/ies safely. An unexpected smell coming from the battery or device can also indicate a problem. For more tips on identifying battery issues and handling them, see this article by IFIXIT.

Alerts Alert: Make Sure You Get Them

The Associated Press recently reported about smartphone users missing critical alerts and shared these tips on how to make sure alerts from glucose-monitoring apps are received:

  • Disable automatic updates on your smartphone until you've verified that the new operating system works with your diabetes app.
  • After pairing your smartphone with a new accessory, ensure that app alerts are still coming through and are clearly audible.
  • Check your smartphone’s notification settings once a month to make sure they haven't changed. (We suggest a more frequent check.)

How To Choose Open-Source Technology for Diabetes Management

Several good commercial automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are available, but many people opt for open-source (OS) systems for the added control and flexibility. Here are some things to consider when making that choice.

  • Open-source (OS) technology has opened new doors for diabetes management, offering innovative, customizable, and cost-effective solutions.
  • Open-source automated insulin delivery (OS-AID) systems empower people with diabetes to take more control over their care and attain better outcomes.
  • Adopting a new OS-AID solution requires careful evaluation to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term usability
  • With increasing numbers of options, how do you choose?

When considering an OS-AID technology, assessing its reliability and accuracy is essential. Diabetes management relies on precise and consistent data, so any tool must be rigorously tested. Seek out and critically evaluate peer reviews and community feedback that validate its accuracy in tracking blood glucose levels, insulin dosing, and other key metrics.

A crucial factor when considering an OS-AID is community and developer support. A strong, active developer community is vital for maintaining and improving OS-AID tools. Investigate whether the project receives regular updates, has thorough documentation, and fosters an engaged user base with responsive support forums. A well-supported app is less likely to become obsolete or vulnerable to security risks.

Ease of use and integration can make or break an OS-AID technology’s effectiveness. The tool should fit into your diabetes management routine without requiring extensive technical expertise. If it does not sync with your current devices, such as CGM, insulin pumps, or health apps, weigh the potential benefits against the effort required to make adjustments.

Regulatory compliance—or lack thereof—is another important consideration. Unlike commercial diabetes management tools, OS solutions lack FDA or other regulatory approvals. This does not mean they are unsafe (although some could be), but it does place personal responsibility on the user to ensure accuracy and safety. Extra caution should be taken when using OS-AID technology, as errors could have serious consequences.

Long-term viability and sustainability also play a role in determining whether an OS tool is worth adopting. These projects rely on volunteers and community contributions, which can lead to varying levels of support over time. While some projects thrive for many years, others lose momentum and risk abandonment. If key developers step away, updates and bug fixes may slow down or stop entirely. A project with a strong and diverse group of contributors, including developers, mentors, writers, and editors, is more likely to remain sustainable. Without ongoing updates, a tool may become obsolete, less secure, or incompatible with new devices.

Hardware compatibility is another key factor. OS-AID solutions require specific devices, which may not be practical for everyone. Before committing to an OS-AID option, verify that it works with your current devices or that you can procure the necessary hardware to use it effectively.

Legal and liability risks should not be overlooked. Using non-FDA-approved OS software for medical decisions, particularly for insulin dosing, could have legal implications if something goes wrong. Understanding potential personal liabilities before using such tools for critical decisions is essential.

Evaluating user experience and accessibility is just as important as assessing technical capabilities. A powerful tool is only useful if it is intuitive and easy to navigate. Complicated installation processes, frequent updates, or steep learning curves may make adoption challenging for non-technical users. Spending time in a user community and learning about an OS-AID system before deciding to use it can help determine whether it is a good fit. It is also worth noting that some people may start using an OS-AID system and later decide it is not for them, which is completely okay. Fortunately, there are now many OS and commercial options for automated insulin delivery.

Before adopting any new technology, consulting with your healthcare team is recommended. They can help assess whether the tool aligns with your treatment plan. While some healthcare providers are open to new technologies, and even promote them, others may be hesitant or unwilling to support patients who use OS-AID solutions. Be prepared to discuss how you plan to validate the tool’s effectiveness and integrate it responsibly into your care routine. You can check for a Loop-friendly healthcare provider on our resource and if you have one to recommend, please add to it!

Remember that diabetes management involves sensitive health data, so security should be considered. Open-source software is transparent, allowing users to examine its code for vulnerabilities, but that also means potential security risks if it’s not well maintained.

Open-source diabetes management technology offers innovative and cost-effective solutions, but it requires careful evaluation to ensure safety, usability, and sustainability. By considering factors like accuracy, security, ease of maintenance, and long-term support, you can make informed decisions. Remember to consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan and choose technology that enhances, rather than complicates, your diabetes management.

A very important and often overlooked aspect of choosing OS-AID is that the learning curve is unavoidable. Having all the features of OS-AID on your phone, and reading success stories from others in the community, it’s easy to assume that great glycemic results will come quickly. However, this journey requires patience. Take a deep breath and embrace the process—ask questions, join our Zoom Open Mic sessions to connect with experts and newbies alike, and share your observations. Step by step, you’ll make progress, and you’ll get there before you know it!

What is Goat Simulator?

Never mind that! (But it IS a game that kids play). If you want more info from Loop parents, see this post.

Need a Loop-related alert that comes to the parents phone? There’s an app for that!

The LoopFollow app has you covered! Today, we highlight the SAGE and CAGE alerts- you can set them to alert YOU so your goat-simulating looper doesn’t miss a device change! SAGE means Sensor Age and CAGE means Cannula Age, and they’ll help you be able to sneak up on your little “goat” and change their device(s) while they keep on playing!