An insulin pump is a small computerized device that delivers insulin for the treatment of diabetes. The pump is programmed to release insulin in continuous small basal dose and a bolus dose. A pump has a control module, a reservoir, an infusion set that includes a cannula and tubing system.
Types of Insulin Pumps
There are a number of different types of insulin pumps available on the market. In general, there are two types of pump devices:
- A traditional pump uses a fine tube to connect the pump to the cannula. The pump is worn in the pocket. The program controls are on the pump.
- A patch pump has a small tube or no tube, and the pump is stuck to the skin. The controls are on a separate wireless device.
The following are types of pumps more commonly used:
Source: Medtronic Media Kit
Medtronic: The Minimed 530G System
- Worn on your body, the pump delivers tiny drops of rapid-acting insulin to match your needs.
- Fewer injections: Change your pump tubing only once every two to three days.
- Bolus Wizard® calculator makes it easier to calculate mealtime insulin and may avoid insulin stacking.
- Set temporary basal rates and patterns around your activities.
- Continuous glucose monitoring.
- Get readings every five minutes, right on your pump.
- Track your glucose levels throughout the day, including the effects of food or exercise.
- Helpful alerts: Get alerted when you’re trending high or low, so you can make adjustments.
Source: Medtronic
Medtronic: Minimed 630G System
- The system has the features of 530 G system with a few differences.
- Waterproof.
- Color screen with auto-brightness.
- Airplane mode for travel.
- Polished black exterior finish; easily customizable with a wide variety of personalized skins.
- Remote insulin dosing.
- Highly accurate wireless CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 meter (a MiniMed™ system exclusive).
- Quick, easy delivery of a bolus.
- Fewer shots: A small device worn on your body that continuously delivers insulin.
- Tubing changes needed only every two or three days.
- Optional CGM with Guardian™ Sensor 3.
- Multiple insulin delivery settings.
Source: Medtronic.
Insulet Corporation: Omnipod
- Tubeless comes with a pod and Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) to control pod functions and glucose release
- Reservoir: 200 u with 88oz pod and PDM 4.4 ounce
- Auto cannula insertion
- A bright color screen on PDM
- Food library
- Software: Uploads to Diasend and CoPilot software
- Power: PDM powered by 2 AAA batteries, Pod powered by 3 357 cell batteries that do not need to be replaced
- Basal increments: .05u, Maximum: 30u/hour
- Minimum bolus increment: .05u, Maximum: 30u
- Duration of Insulin Action Increment: 30min
- Waterproof
- High alarm failure rates, pod error, if the PDM is lost-pump delivers basal program but not bolus functions.
Source: Healthline.com
Roche: Accu-Chek Combo
- Reservoir-200u with 2.8 oz weight (lightest)
- Bluetooth linked pump remote with full programming
- Software: uploads to Diasend
- Accepts any luer lock infusion set
- Bright color screen
- 1AA battery. Accepts non-lithium as well as lithium batteries
- Basal range: 0.01u in the range of 0.05 to 1.00u, 0.05u in the range of 1 to 10u, 0.1u in the range of 10.0 to 25.0u, Maximum: 25u
- Minimum Bolus Increment: 0.1u, Maximum: 25u
- Duration of Insulin Action Increment: 15 min
- Low resolution, tiny screen, reliance on meters to use advanced features and difficult cartridge changes.
Source: www.tandemdiabetes.com
Tandem Diabetes Care: t:slim:
- Reservoir- 300 u with 3.95 oz weight (heaviest)
- Bright colorful touchscreen
- Software-uploads to Diasend and web-based to connect software
- Accepts any luer lock infusion set
- Carb calculator for multiple and varied carb intakes
- Powered by rechargeable lithium polymer battery via included micro USB cable
- Basal range: 0.001u at programmed rates equal to or greater than 0.10u, Maximum: 15u
- Minimum bolus: 0.01u at volumes greater than 0.05u, Maximum: 25u
- Duration of Insulin Action Increment: 1min
- Made of aluminum-metal detector sensitivity.
- The touch screen allows more user input error despite many confirmation screens
- An issue of air bubbles
- Site changes take a lot of time
Sources:
- Insulin Pumps: American Diabetes Association®. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/insulin-pumps.html. (Accessed: 8th March 2018)
- What is an Insulin Pump: Diabetes Education Online. Available at: https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type1/treatment-of-type-1-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-1-insulin-pump-therapy/what-is-an-insulin-pump/. (Accessed: 14th March 2018)
- Insulin Pump Overview – How Insulin Pumps Work, Who Benefits From Them, and Different Types of Pumps. Available at: https://www.endocrineweb.com/guides/insulin/insulin-pump-overview. (Accessed: 14th March 2018)
- Insulin Pump Comparison: Which Pump is Right for You? Available at: https://asweetlife.org/insulin-pump-comparison-which-pump-is-right-for-you/. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)
- MiniMed Insulin Pump Therapy | Medtronic Diabetes. Available at: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/home. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)
- Vibe Dana OmniPod CellNovo, A. R. Insulin pumps available in the UK 2016.
- insulin pumps.
- Animas® Vibe® system | Insulin Pump Comparison | Animas US. Available at: https://www.animas.com/diabetes-insulin-pump-and-blood-glucose-meter/animas-vibe-insulin-pump. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)
- Type 1 Diabetes Monitor | More than an Insulin Pump | Omnipod®. Available at: https://www.myomnipod.com/. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)
- Roche Diagnostics Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump System Now Available in the United States | Accu-Chek. Available at: https://www.accu-chek.com/news/accu-chek-combo-available. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)
- Insulin Pumps From Tandem Diabetes Care – Switch Today! Available at: https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/. (Accessed: 15th March 2018)