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twiist AID System — Device Guide | Juicebox Podcast
Device Guide · Automated Insulin Delivery

twiist™ AID System

The first insulin pump to directly measure the volume and flow of every microdose — powered by the Loop algorithm, available at the pharmacy, with the widest glucose target range of any commercial AID system.

🏥 Available Through Pharmacy · No Multi-Year Commitment · Launched July 2025

Device specifications change frequently — always verify current information directly with the manufacturer before making any decisions. Full disclaimer.

Juicebox Podcast · Sequel Med Tech · DEKA Research · Tidepool · Clinical Literature

New to twiist? Start here.

The Basics

What Is twiist?

twiist is a tubed automated insulin delivery (AID) system made by Sequel Med Tech — co-founded by Dean Kamen, the inventor of the first wearable insulin pump back in the 1970s. It launched commercially in the U.S. on July 7, 2025, and is built around three things no other AID system has combined before: acoustic microdose measurement, the Loop algorithm, and pharmacy-channel access with no long-term commitment.

FDA Cleared March 2024 Launched July 2025 T1D Ages 6+ Tubed pump Target as low as 87 mg/dL Apple Watch control Pharmacy available
Three Things That Set It Apart
⚗️ Acoustic Dosing

First pump to directly measure the volume and flow of every microdose using sound waves. Detects blockages up to 9× faster than other AID systems. More about what you're actually getting matters here.

🔁 Loop Algorithm

Powered by Tidepool Loop — the FDA-cleared version of the open-source Loop algorithm originally created by and for people with diabetes. Lowest glucose target of any commercial AID system: 87 mg/dL.

🏪 Pharmacy Access

Available at the pharmacy like a CGM, not through a 4-year DME commitment. Starter kit $0 with commercial insurance. No more than $50/month for refills. Try it without locking in.

The Origin Story

Dean Kamen commercialized the first wearable insulin pump in the 1970s. Decades later, he co-founded Sequel Med Tech — calling twiist his "sequel" to that original invention. The pump hardware was developed by DEKA Research, his firm.

— Sequel Med Tech · sequelmedtech.com · via DiaTribe and Drug Delivery Business News
System Components

What's in the Box

💊

The Pump

About the size of an Oreo cookie, weighing roughly 2 oz. One side is disposable (insulin cassette, 300-unit reservoir, replaced every 3 days). The other side is reusable and lasts up to 3 years. Comes with 4 batteries and 2 charging docks.

🔁

twiist Loop Algorithm

Based on the open-source Loop platform. Adjusts basal insulin every 5 minutes using a 6-hour glucose forecast. Can also recommend correction boluses (with user confirmation). Only uses Humalog or Novolog (U-100).

📡

CGM

Works with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus. Eversense 365 added in 2026. Sequel's stated goal is compatibility with all commercial iCGMs over time.

📱

iPhone + Apple Watch

Full pump control via the twiist iPhone app. Bolus delivery directly from Apple Watch. Data reports through Tidepool (tidepool.org).

For Clinicians · Quick Reference

What to Know Before Prescribing twiist

Key Differentiators

Acoustic microdose measurement (first in class). Lowest glucose target of any commercial AID: 87 mg/dL. Pharmacy-channel access — no 4-year DME commitment. Tidepool Loop algorithm (open-source community heritage).

Initiation Settings

Standard pump settings required: basal rates, I:C ratio, ISF, target glucose. Max Basal Rate is critical — program at 4–6× the highest basal rate. This is the algorithm's ceiling and significantly impacts performance.

CGM Setup

Currently requires FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus or Eversense 365. Keep pump and CGM on the same side of the body to maintain signal. Libre 3 Plus offers 15-day wear with no fingerstick calibration.

Access & Cost

Pharmacy benefit — $0 starter kit with commercial insurance, ≤$50/month for refills. No multi-year commitment. Not available for Medicare/Medicaid at launch. Check twiist.com/savings for current program details.

📋
PANTHER Program — Full AID Device Comparison Chart C|A|R|E|S Framework · Barbara Davis Center · pantherprogram.org

Sources

twiist.com — twiist AID System Overview twiist.com — What Is twiist? DiaTribe — twiist AID System: How It Works, Features, Latest Updates sequelmedtech.com — Sequel Med Tech Overview ADCES / danatech — twiist AID System Clinical Reference juiceboxpodcast.com — twiist is a current Juicebox Podcast sponsor
Getting the Most from It

Settings, Meals & Day-to-Day Use

twiist gives you more precision and more flexibility than most AID systems — but it also requires more from you in terms of setup and meal management. Here's what to focus on to get the best results.

Glucose Target

The 87 mg/dL Advantage

twiist allows you to set a glucose target as low as 87 mg/dL — the lowest of any commercially available AID system. The correction range spans 87–180 mg/dL, giving you significantly more room to dial in tight control than other systems. A lower target means more aggressive algorithm behavior, so setting is meaningful.

🎯

Lower Target = More Aggressive

At 87 mg/dL, the algorithm works harder to keep you in a narrow range. Better for those who have dialed-in settings and want the tightest possible control. Start higher (100–110) when first learning the system.

🔧

Max Basal Rate Is Critical

The Max Basal Rate is the algorithm's ceiling — the highest it can go for automated delivery. PANTHER clinicians recommend programming it at 4–6× your highest basal rate. Too low and the algorithm can't respond adequately to highs.

⏳

6-Hour Forecast

twiist updates a rolling 6-hour glucose forecast every 5 minutes, using CGM readings, insulin history, and carb history. This forward-looking model helps the algorithm adjust before glucose changes, not just in response to them.

✅

Correction Boluses With Confirmation

Unlike some AID systems that deliver automated corrections silently, twiist recommends correction boluses and asks for your confirmation before delivering. You can accept or skip.

Meal Presets

Match Your Insulin to How Food Actually Works

twiist has three meal absorption profiles — represented by food emoji — that tell the algorithm how quickly your meal will affect glucose. This is one of its most practical features, especially for high-fat meals.

🍭

Fast (Lollipop)

Rapid-acting carbs — juice, candy, white rice, fruit. Algorithm doses aggressively upfront expecting a quick rise.

🌮

Standard (Taco)

Mixed meals with moderate carbs, fat, and protein. The default choice for most meals. Algorithm spreads insulin delivery more evenly.

🍕

Slow (Pizza)

High-fat, high-protein meals that digest slowly and cause delayed glucose rises. Algorithm extends insulin delivery over a longer window.

twiist allows retroactive carb entry — you can enter your carbs after eating and include the time you actually ate. The algorithm will calculate a recommended bolus based on the delayed entry and how much time has passed. This is a meaningful feature that other AID systems don't offer. If the recommendation comes back as "no bolus," save the carb entry anyway so the algorithm can track carbs on board accurately.
Raise your glucose target before and during exercise to reduce algorithm aggressiveness. The correction range goes up to 180 mg/dL, so you have room to set a conservative exercise target. There is no dedicated "activity mode" — you manually adjust the target and return it afterward. Planning ahead for your activity type (aerobic vs. anaerobic) remains important, as twiist responds to CGM data but doesn't know in advance what kind of exercise you're doing.
Traditional pumps detect blockages by measuring back-pressure buildup — which takes time. twiist uses an acoustic sensor that directly measures the volume and flow of each insulin microdose as it's delivered. If the measured volume doesn't match what was commanded, the pump alerts you immediately — up to 9× faster than other systems. This "silent insulin non-delivery" is a real clinical problem: a blocked infusion set with slow pressure buildup can allow glucose to rise significantly before a traditional pump alerts. twiist catches it sooner.
Yes — twiist is one of the few AID systems with full bolus delivery capability from an Apple Watch. You can also view glucose data and system status on your watch. This is managed through the twiist iPhone app, which must be installed and paired first.
twiist runs through pharmacy benefits, not DME (Durable Medical Equipment). This is a different pathway than most traditional insulin pumps and may affect coverage depending on your plan. The Savings Program offers a $0 starter kit and no more than $50/month for refills with qualifying commercial insurance. Medicare and Medicaid are not eligible for the Savings Program as of launch. Always verify with your specific insurer — call twiist customer care at 1-877-4twiist (894-478) for a benefits check.
For Clinicians · Settings & Follow-Up

Optimizing twiist at the First Follow-Up Visit

Max Basal Rate Check

Review at every visit. Program at 4–6× the highest basal rate. This is the most impactful single setting. Too low = algorithm ceiling reached during highs = inadequate correction. Common reason for suboptimal TIR on twiist.

Tidepool Reports

Pull 14-day Tidepool report (tidepool.org). Select: AGP (CGM), Basics Chart, Daily Charts, Device Settings. The PANTHER twiist clinical tool walks through big picture patterns → small picture reasons → plan step-by-step.

Meal Entry Habits

Reinforce pre-meal carb entry for every meal and snack. Encourage use of meal absorption presets (fast/standard/slow) — they meaningfully improve post-meal control. Retroactive entry is available but proactive is preferred.

Target Glucose Titration

Most patients benefit from starting at 100–110 mg/dL, then lowering to 87–100 as they gain confidence. Lower target requires well-calibrated I:C ratio and ISF to function safely — verify these before titrating down.

📋
PANTHER Tool — twiist AID System Point-of-Care Clinical Tool (PDF) Fillable clinical assessment · Barbara Davis Center / danatech · adces.org

Sources

twiist.com — What Is twiist? Full System Overview DiaTribe — twiist AID System: How It Works, Features, Latest Updates PANTHER / danatech — twiist AID Point-of-Care Clinical Tool (PDF) Drug Delivery Business News — A Look at Sequel Med Tech's Unique twiist AID System
Deep Dive

The Technology, the Algorithm & the Full Clinical Picture

twiist combines three independently significant innovations into one system: a fundamentally new pump delivery mechanism, an algorithm with deep community roots and real-world evidence, and an access model designed to remove cost as a barrier. Here's how each piece works.

iiSure™ Technology

Acoustic Insulin Measurement — What It Actually Means

🔊

Sound-Wave Dosing

The twiist pump uses acoustic sensors to directly measure the volume and flow of each insulin microdose as it's delivered — in real time. No other commercially available AID system does this. Every other pump infers delivery indirectly from motor steps and back-pressure.

🔍

Four Dosing Checkpoints

The iiSure system includes four validation checkpoints for every dose: confirming the commanded volume was actually delivered, checking flow rate, detecting air, and monitoring for blockages. All four happen with every microdose.

⚡

9× Faster Occlusion Detection

Traditional pumps detect blockages when back-pressure builds up enough to trigger an alarm — a process that takes time and allows glucose to rise significantly first. twiist detects the discrepancy between commanded and delivered volume immediately. Clinical studies show detection up to 9× faster at low basal rates, 5–30× across all rates.

🛡️

Silent Non-Delivery Prevention

"Silent insulin non-delivery" — where a pump appears to be running normally but isn't actually delivering insulin — is a known clinical risk with tubed pumps. iiSure's direct measurement catches this scenario before glucose starts rising, instead of after.

Algorithm Heritage

From Open-Source Community to Commercial AID

The Loop algorithm has one of the most unusual origins in medical device history — it was created by the diabetes community itself, for the diabetes community, before any company got involved. Understanding this history explains a lot about how twiist behaves.

It's important to emphasize that all AID systems are better than a pen. But that doesn't mean they can't be improved upon. We're still in a scenario where we have a lot of work to do.

— Alan Lotvin, MD, CEO & Co-Founder, Sequel Med Tech · Drug Delivery Business News · drugdeliverybusiness.com
Loop was created by the do-it-yourself (DIY) diabetes community — people with T1D who hacked together CGMs, pumps, and phones to build their own closed-loop systems when commercial AID wasn't available or good enough. It became one of the most widely used DIY AID systems in the world. Tidepool — a nonprofit — then worked with the FDA to get a commercialized version (Tidepool Loop) cleared. twiist is the first commercial pump powered by this FDA-cleared version, giving people with T1D access to community-developed algorithms through a prescription device with manufacturer support.
The Loop Observational Study (JAEB Center, Stanford, Tidepool) collected prospective data on 175 DIY Loop users ages 6 and up over multiple years. Results showed clinically meaningful improvements in TIR and reductions in hypoglycemia. A psychosocial study (Wong et al., J Diabetes Sci Technol, 2023) showed improvements in diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycemia, and quality of life. twiist uses the same algorithm with Tidepool guardrails applied — results on a non-twiist device, but the underlying algorithm is identical.
In 2026, Sequel announced a second algorithm option for twiist: Diabeloop's DBLG2. Like the iLet's approach, DBLG2 only requires the user to enter body weight and total daily insulin — the system adapts delivery over time based on glucose trends and insulin history. This is designed for patients who find carb counting and full settings burdensome, or for primary care settings where simplifying initiation matters. Users can choose which algorithm to run on the same hardware.
Traditional insulin pumps are dispensed through Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers — a process that typically involves insurance prior authorization, 4-year warranties, and long-term commitments. twiist bypasses this entirely through the pharmacy benefit channel — the same system used for CGMs and medications. The reusable pump body costs $0 with the Savings Program and qualifying commercial insurance. Disposable refill kits (insulin cassette + consumables) are $50/month maximum. No 4-year commitment means patients can try it without being locked in. This is a deliberate design choice — Sequel wants to make AID accessible to the 60%+ of T1D patients who aren't currently using it.
The twiist pump body separates into two parts: a disposable module containing the insulin cassette (300 units, replaced every 3 days) and a reusable module that contains the pumping mechanism, sensors, and electronics (lasts up to 3 years). This hybrid design keeps consumable costs low while preserving the precision hardware. The pump is waterproof (comparable to Omnipod's IP28 rating). Charging is rapid via 2 included docks; 4 batteries are included. Only Humalog and Novolog (U-100 rapid-acting insulin) are currently approved for use.
For Clinicians & Educators · Full C|A|R|E|S Reference

twiist AID System — Complete Clinical Breakdown

The C|A|R|E|S Framework from the PANTHER Program at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes — applied to twiist.

C
Calculates

twiist Loop algorithm (Tidepool-cleared open-source Loop). Updates 6-hour glucose forecast every 5 minutes. Adjusts basal automatically. Recommends correction boluses (user confirms). Max Basal Rate = ceiling — program at 4–6× highest basal rate. Meal presets: fast/standard/slow absorption.

A
Adjustable

Glucose target: 87–180 mg/dL (widest range of any commercial AID). Basal rates, I:C ratio, ISF, Active Insulin Time all programmed by user. Max Basal Rate (critical). Retroactive carb entry with time of eating. No dedicated activity mode — raise target manually for exercise.

R
Reverts

Loop can be turned off — pump operates with a simple bolus calculator in manual mode. CGM signal loss pauses automated adjustments. Occlusion detection up to 9× faster than other systems via iiSure acoustic sensing — alerts trigger before significant glucose rise.

E
Education

Pre-meal carb entry for all meals/snacks (fixed entry acceptable for simplicity). Use meal absorption presets. Retroactive entry available if meal bolus forgotten. Keep pump and CGM on same side of body. Max Basal Rate is the most impactful single setting — review at every visit.

S
Sensor / Sharing

CGMs: FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus (15 days), Eversense 365 (365 days, added 2026). Goal: all commercial iCGMs. Data: Tidepool reports (tidepool.org). iPhone app + Apple Watch. No stated remote caregiver follow app as of launch — verify current status at twiist.com.

Source: PANTHER Program / danatech twiist Clinical Tool · Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes · twiist.com User Guide · Sequel Med Tech product documentation

📋
PANTHER Tool — twiist AID System Point-of-Care Clinical Tool (PDF) Fillable · PANTHER Program / danatech · adces.org
📊
PANTHER Program — twiist C|A|R|E|S One-Sheet (PDF) Full AID comparison · Barbara Davis Center · pantherprogram.org
📊
Full AID Device Comparison — All Systems MiniMed 780G · iLet · t:slim X2 · Omnipod 5 · twiist · pantherprogram.org

Sources

twiist.com — twiist AID System Overview twiist.com — What Is twiist? twiist.com — Clinical Study Data (HCP) sequelmedtech.com — Sequel Med Tech DiaTribe — twiist AID System: How It Works, Features, Latest Updates (2026) Drug Delivery Business News — A Look at Sequel Med Tech's Unique twiist AID System GlobeNewswire — Sequel Announces FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Integration (March 2025) ADCES / danatech — twiist AID System Clinical Reference PANTHER / danatech — twiist AID Point-of-Care Clinical Tool (PDF) pantherprogram.org — twiist C|A|R|E|S One-Sheet (PDF) pantherprogram.org — Full AID Device Comparison Chart HCPLive — Diabetes Dialogue: What to Know About twiist AID System juiceboxpodcast.com — twiist is a current Juicebox Podcast sponsor
⚠️ This content is compiled from publicly available sources for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Device capabilities, software features, availability, insurance coverage, and clinical recommendations may change — twiist launched in 2025 and is evolving rapidly. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management. Full disclaimer.

Juicebox Podcast · juiceboxpodcast.com · Research compiled from manufacturer documentation, PANTHER Program, clinical literature & community experience. twiist is a current Juicebox Podcast sponsor.

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