For two years, Jan de Groot (58) from Velserbroek relied on Roche’s Accu‑Chek Insight insulin pump. When Roche announced at the end of 2025 that it would discontinue the pump’s production, sales and support, Jan had no choice but to look for an alternative. After discussions with his diabetes nurse, he opted for Kaleido; a decision he has not regretted for a moment, “I’m actually happier with this pump than I ever was with my previous one,” he says. “My time in range has improved significantly.”
Jan was diagnosed withtype 1 diabetes about fifteen years ago, a moment he still remembers vividly. “It
came completely out of nowhere. I was constantly thirsty, and small wounds wouldn’t heal. When I went to the doctor, my glucose level was above 28 mmol/L. That told him everything he needed to know.” For the first two years, Jan managed his diabetes without a pump. But once he transitioned to pump therapy, the increase in freedom of movement was immediate — and something he never wanted to give up again.
A message from Roche
Jan used his Accu‑Chek Insight pump with full satisfaction until the letter from Roche arrived. “I took it straight to my diabetes nurse. She hadn’t heard about it yet either.”
Although disappointed, Jan stayed realistic. “Well, it’s simple,” he shrugs. “Either you switch to a different pump, or you go back to injections. That’s not a difficult choice.”
A clear winner: choosing Kaleido
Initially, Jan planned to switch to Medtronic, a brand he was already familiar with. But his diabetes nurse suggested comparing options first. She placed a Medtronic pump and a Kaleido pump side by side. “The difference was obvious straight away,” Jan says. “The Kaleido is much smaller. And you can wear it on your stomach, your back — pretty much anywhere. The Medtronic is bigger and usually sits in your
pocket.”
Jan didn’t hesitate long. He chose Kaleido that very same day. “My nurse laughed because I made the decision so quickly,” he says. “But honestly, I can overthink things forever. This just felt simpler.”
No tubing, no hassle
Jan works as a self‑employed construction worker, making practicality essential. “With my old pump, there was a long tube running from my pocket to my abdomen. During work, it would sometimes get caught on things — more than once, that caused issues.”
With Kaleido, those problems disappeared. “The pump sits directly on my stomach, hidden under a T‑shirt or sweater. I’ve been using it for about three months now, and it hasn’t come loose once.”
He also appreciates the rechargeable battery. His previous pump frequently sounded alarms — at work or in the middle of the night — warning that the battery was nearly empty. “That always caused a bit of stress, even though you knew it would still last another day. But those beeps really get under your skin.”
Now, Jan simply charges his Kaleido pump when he replaces his insulin and sensor. “Easy, and completely stress‑free.”
An easier switch than expected
Jan was already using DBLG1, the self‑learning algorithm developed by Diabeloop, with his Roche pump. That made switching systems straightforward. “I could transfer almost all my settings from the old pump.”
The only adjustment was learning to fill the insulin cartridge himself. A Kaleido representative visited him at home to guide him through the process. “She was incredibly patient and explained everything clearly. That made a big difference.”
Jan also found helpful tutorials online, via YouTube and the Bosman website. “There are great videos that walk you through filling the cartridge step by step. I have no issues with it now.”
Better results
One thing Jan did not expect was a noticeable improvement in his glucose control.“I spend much more time within range than I used to. I couldn’t really tell you why.”
His diabetes nurse suspects the switch itself caused something of a reset.“That might be true,” Jan says. “I haven’t changed my eating habits at all. It just seems to work better.”
An unexpected but very welcome result.
The pump you forget
Jan sums up his experience with Kaleido in a simple observation: “I’ve already stepped into the shower a few times without realising the pump was still attached to my stomach. That says it all — it’s just become part of me.”