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The Open Pump Project
By Jade Vincent
Overveiw
The Open Pump Project aims to develop a completely open source "build it yourself" insulin pump. By providing open source hardware to treat type one diabetes, consumers gain the right to understand their artificial organs, along with the freedom to improve them.
Grew up in a family of makers (And Diabetics)
Taking apart tech to learn
Hit a Dead End
Wanted to build a VR Headset
Discover Relativity VR
Wait Whats Open Source?
Build My Own Headset
Open Source Becomes World View
VR Headset Feels Meaningless
Want To Use My Skills For Real Good
Reflect On Insulin Pumps 🎉 🎉 🎉
What Is An Insulin Pump?
Why Open Source?
$$$
Current insulin pumps discourage users from customizing their experience
FDA approval slows life changing features from reaching consumers
Closed source insulin pumps discourage user understanding of their body
The cheapest of used insulin pumps are still $500
OpenAPS
Design of an open source ultra low cost insulin pump
This is a project hacking insulin pumps with a Raspberry Pi to enable fully automated insulin dosing.
This was a project to create an ultra low cost insulin pump using open source 3d printed parts.
Preexising Work
Contacting Users & Researchers
Mathew Payne
Mathew Payne is the creator of the "Design of an open source ultra low cost insulin pump"
Denise Shanté Brown
Denise Shanté is a holistic design strategist focusing on designing communal spaces and type one diabetic.
Jess Westbrook
Jess Westbrook is a type one diabetic as well as designer and tenured professor.
Contacting Users & Researchers
Interveiwing Users & Researchers
Denise Shanté Brown
- The interview was a mix of structured questions and conversation
- highlighted the importance of an open community
- Pointed out the need for a pump where you control your experience
Jess Westbrook
- Interview was mostly conversational
- Highlighted the need for open development
- Encouraged customizability
- Insulin pumps serve people with uteruses poorly
Researching Features of Preexisting Pumps
Following the advice of Mathew Payne, I researched the "core features" of preexisting pumps attracting users.
Disassembling a Tandem insulin reservoir
After seeing the hidden insulin reservoirs of the Tandem insulin pumps I decided to take apart and document one.
Pump Research
Key Takeaways
Prioritize user customizability in my design (hardware & software)
Allow for pumps to be "off the grid" not requiring phone connection
Keep my design process transparent
Be honest about risk
Form Sketching
Form Sketching
Form Prototyping
Final Form Prototype
Functional Prototyping
Final Functional Prototype
Finish Technical Prototype
Test UI And Control Experience on Users
Publish Design Files and User Feedback
- Touch base with contacts
- Get public feedback on the project
- Figure out final dosing system
- Rethink general form design
- Design friendly UI
- Wait so how am I going to test this???
Going Forward
- First time I focused so heavily on reaching out to people
- More of a conceptual foundation than usual
- Especially user focused design process
Reflection
The Open Pump Project aims to develop a completely open source "build it yourself" insulin pump. By providing open source hardware to treat type one diabetes, consumers gain the right to understand their artificial organs, along with the freedom to improve them. This project will place emphasis on technology like 3d printing, and easily accessible components from companies like Adafruit. By using accessible and cheap materials this project will be accessible to as many people as possible while still costing a reasonable price to build (under $200).