easypod® 3
The next generation
of easypod
Introducing the next generation of easypod, if you have received a new easypod after using an earlier version of easypod please watch the video below to see what has changed. The new easypod uses the same Saizen® cartridges and needles as before.
Click the links below to find out more about using your easypod device. If you have any questions about your treatment, please contact your doctor or nurse.
Once you choose a video below, please click on the screen to watch.
Transmission of your data is important because it allows your care team to view the injection history stored in your easypod 3 device and make adjustments to optimise your treatment. Click here to access a consent form and join growzen connect and growzen™ buddy, to stay informed and take charge of your treatment!
It’s important to check if the data transfer setting is turned on. The data will transfer automatically, but ONLY if this setting is switched on. To turn it on, follow the steps below:
Help & FAQs for the easypod® 3 device
Make sure that when you turn on easypod, you hold down the selection button on the right (power on) until the home screen appears. Make sure that the battery is charged and properly connected.
The cartridge door can only be opened, and the cartridge removed, at certain times. When the cartridge is empty the device will walk you through the steps to replace the empty cartridge with a new one. Or, you can remove the cartridge at any time by selecting Menu > Injection settings > Remove / Insert cartridge > then, the tick icon on the device screen. Do not use any tools to force the cartridge door open.
The injection button will not work unless the device is in contact with your skin, so pressing it accidentally while preparing will have no effect.
If you remove easypod from your skin during an injection (while the injection button light is flashing white), the injection will stop, the needle will retract and easypod will display a warning message:
Always discuss injection pain with your doctor or nurse first. easypod allows you to change settings for injection depth, speed and hold time. Discuss with your doctor or nurse how these options may impact injection pain.
If you require help changing these comfort settings, please contact Merck Medical Information on: 020 8818 7373 (UK) or (01)4687590 (IE) or email Medinfo.uk@merckgroup.com.
If you notice a drop of Saizen on your skin when you remove easypod, you may need to:
Please always consult your doctor or nurse before making changes to the depth.
If you require help changing these comfort settings, please contact Merck Medical Information on: 020 8818 7373 (UK) or (01)4687590 (IE) or email us Medinfo.uk@merckgroup.com.
Please note that a small drop of liquid on the skin may not be part of the patients dose. If the drop size is as small as a pin prick, this could be part of the easypods automatic priming process/functionality of the device.
If your device displays a ‘Device Failure’ warning message, do not use it since this may indicate a hardware or software failure. Please contact Merck Medical Information for a replacement on either: 020 8818 7373 (UK) or (01)4687590 (IE) or Medinfo.uk@merckgroup.com.
This can happen if the device has been exposed to humid conditions. Please ensure you are storing the easypod device within its casing, in the fridge. Make sure you wipe your easypod device, including the skin sensor, once a week, with a dry cloth.
If you notice any condensation on the easypod once it is removed from the fridge, please always ensure you wipe this away with a dry cloth.
Once you have taken the device out of the fridge prior to an injection, keep it within its case and allow it to warm up for 30 minutes.
Once the needle has been exposed to air for more than 10 minutes, it will expire. The device will display steps to remove the needle, because this exposure to air will have compromised the needle sterility. If the device detects there is a needle still attached without a needle cap after 30 minutes, the device will automatically reject the cartridge. The device will not allow that rejected cartridge to be used for injections.
The only needle compatible with easypod is a 29G Serofine® Needle, therefore this must be selected in the Clinical Set Up of easypod. If you are struggling with the 29G needle, please contact your healthcare professional directly for clinical advice.
Make sure the needle cap does not contain a needle or anything else, then try again to push the empty needle cap into the needle cavity until it clicks into place and remove the needle. If you still cannot detach the needle, you may use small pliers to carefully remove the needle and discard it safely. Alternatively, contact your doctor or nurse.
If you cannot insert the needle cap, check if there is any foreign object in the needle cavity. If there is any foreign object in the needle cavity:
a. Select Menu > Injection settings > Remove/Insert cartridge > then, the tick icon on the device screen.
b. The cartridge door will open to allow the object to fall.
c. If the foreign object is still inside the needle cavity, please consult your doctor or nurse.
The empty cap is necessary to detach the needle. If you cannot find it, or you don’t have a spare needle cap, take a new needle and using pliers/tweezers, carefully remove the needle from the cap and discard in your sharps bin. Then, using this replacement cap, remove the needle from the easypod® device as normal.
You should discard the empty, expired or broken cartridges, as well as used needles, in a biohazard (sharps) container, always complying with your local regulations. Contact your doctor or nurse for more information.
In case you need ancillaries, such as needles, you should follow the instructions provided by your homecare provider. Please visit the ancillary website to order additional resources.
Yes, a cartridge that has been started in an older easypod can be used in the new replacement device. However, if you choose to do this, the message ‘cartridge status is unknown’ will be displayed. All this means, is that the new machine will be unable to tell when the cartridge is due to expire. This is because it was started in a different machine. Therefore, it is important to manually note down the day the cartridge should expired (28 days after first use), to ensure expired medication is not used.
You must only change the dose if instructed by your health care professional. The dose can be changed in the clinical set up section of the menu. Once the new and prescribed dose is entered, easypod will automatically detect the cartridge type and adjust accordingly. If you require assistance changing the dose, please contact Merck Medical Information UK on 0208 818 7373 or Merck Medical Information Ireland on 01-4687590.
The date and time setting in the device will be reflected in the dose history. If the date and time in the device is incorrect, the dose history will not show the actual date and time of injection. You can adjust the date or time on the device by going to the Device settings option on the menu. Changing the date or time will not affect the previous dose history.
Sharing any log data first requires you to activate the data transfer functionality in your device. If activated, your device can send anonymous device logs and information, injection and technical data, error reports, and general information that helps us understand how our devices are being used or to identify potential improvements.
To ensure patient confidentiality, this information is by default anonymous (i.e., it is not associated with an individual patient profile). Device data is sent automatically after each injection, and typically, a transfer will be completed within 25 seconds. A given data transfer can also be aborted by pressing the Cancel button. Data will then only be transferred from your next injection.
easypod® will automatically search the most appropriate cellular network, although the first transmission from your device will take more time than subsequent ones. Transfers may also take longer when you are travelling, transmitting from another country, or depending on available networks and connectivity. Any transmission or processing of device data is robustly protected (including being generally anonymized) to ensure compliance with applicable privacy law.
An additional offering may also be available (depending on your location) whereby data from your device (including injection history) can be made available through a connected web application to your treating doctor, nurse, or treating healthcare professional. This additional service however requires your prior and express consent (obtained by your treating healthcare professional). This includes providing you with all relevant information on the relevant processing so you can make an informed decision. Once your consent has been given, your healthcare professional can activate your profile in the web application, allowing them to better view and track your injection history and treatment results. The same injection data can also be displayed on a dedicated mobile application for patients and/or their parents or caregivers. You must also provide your express consent for this by means of a similar information and consent process.
You may reach out to your doctor, nurse, or health professional for more information on these services, including whether they are available in your location.
Please be aware that the first data transfer could take up to around 15 minutes. After the first successful transfer, subsequent transmissions should be much faster. If the data transfer still fails, this may be due to poor network coverage.
Try performing a manual transfer.
It is best to try this in different locations, e.g, in different rooms in your home or relatives homes.
To perform a manual transmission, enter device settings from the menu, and select ‘data transfer’. From there, click manual transfer.
If the data transfer does fail, the device will store the last 50 injections, and automatically upload this data when it does connect again. If you perform a manual transfer, the entire injection history is backed up.
Please note, this symbol that appears in the top left hand corner of the screen indicates that the device is set to transmit your data. It is not a Wi-Fi symbol, the easypod® 3 device does not have Wi-Fi capabilities.
You should refer to the Saizen Patient Information Leaflet.
Sometimes due to changes in temperature, there may be condensation on the easypod device as it is taken out of the fridge. Over time, this may harm the device. Therefore, we recommend wiping the device and screen with dry/slightly damp cloth. Before injecting, allow device to warm up for 30 mins (keep in case). If you are due to change cartridge, before inserting a new one keep the easypod outside of the fridge for a night to let it dry out completely.
There is no need to remove the battery if you keep easypod in the refrigerator. However, if you want to charge the battery, you should remove the battery to charge it outside of the refrigerator.
If your cartridge is inserted in the device, refer to the storing conditions in the Saizen Patient Information Leaflet. If the device is stored in the refrigerator, store it in the front section to avoid lower temperatures. After use, always store your device in its easypod storage box and place in an upright position in the fridge door, or central part of the fridge.
It will take up to 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery. A fully charged battery can power the device for about 30 days. If you need to frequently charge the battery, the battery may be degraded. Please contact your doctor or nurse for a new battery.
When the status light of the battery flashes red it is not recharging. Make sure the battery charger and cable are connected properly. If the status light continues to flash red, you might need a new battery charger, contact your doctor or nurse.
When the device is reaching its expiry date, you should contact your doctor or nurse to return it and replace it with a new device. A message will appear on easypod® 6 months ahead of its expiry date.
You can travel with easypod. It is recommended to store easypod in the storage box when travelling. The device is safe to pass through X-ray airport security gates with the Saizen medication inserted. Please make sure to store your Saizen medication at the appropriate temperature according to the Saizen Patient Information Leaflet, whether the cartridge is inserted in the device or not.
It is not recommended to inject in a moving vehicle. If you anticipate a planned injection will happen while you are traveling in a moving vehicle, please discuss it with your doctor or nurse to update your injection schedule. Do not turn the device on while in the airplane.