Technology Corner
Insulin Pumps
Author: MOHAMMED E. AL-SOFIANI, MBBS, MSC
An insulin pump is a small mechanical device, (typically the size of a beeper or small cell phone), that is attached to the body usually via tubing which is placed under the skin. The pump delivers rapid-acting insulin at different rates to the body through the tubing, acting much like the pancreas. The pump is programmable for different rates of “basal” insulin and typically has a calculator for “bolus” insulin at mealtime and when hyperglycemia occurs.
| Medtronic MINIMED 670G Unique Features |
Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
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– Hybrid closed-loop pump
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Functions as both insulin pump & CGM (using Guardian Sensor 3)
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Contour Next Link 2.4 meter can be used to wirelessly communicate with the system (includes the option of remote blousing)
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– The Guardian sensor 3 requires calibration at least 2 times a day.
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– Size: 2.1 x 3.78 x 0.96 in.| Medtronic MINIMED 630G Unique Features | Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
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– Suspend on low: Automatically stop insulin delivery for 2 hours if glucose reaches a preset low limit and the user does not react to the low glucose alarm. The user has to manually resume the basal delivery. Otherwise, insulin delivery is resumed automatically after 2 hours. |
– Size: 2.1 x 3.78 x 0.96 in. – Weight ~ 3.7 oz – Waterproof – Color screen – 300-unit reservoir
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Functions as both insulin pump and CGM (using Guardian Sensor 3)
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Contour Next Link 2.4 meter can be used to wirelessly communicate with the system (includes the option of remote blousing)
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– Same limitations as for 670G (see above) – No “auto mode” feature. Basal insulin is not automatically adjusted. – No “suspend before low” feature. Insulin is only suspended when the low glucose threshold is crossed. |
| Unique Features | Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
| – Integrated with Dexcom G5 CGM – No finger-stick confirmation is required when making treatment decision based on readings from the Dexcom G5 – Built in hypoglycemia safety alarm alert (alerts when glucose hits 55 mg/dl and is always on) – Color Touchscreen – Updatable Software – Rechargeable battery – Remote monitoring: Glucose data can be shared with up to 5 followers. |  – Size: 3.13 x 2 x 0.6 in (relatively small in size) – Weight~ 3.95 oz – Watertight – 300-unit cartridge – Flat reservoir design – Micro-delivery technology |
– Integrated with the Dexcom G5 CGM (requires calibration)
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– Does not communicate wirelessly with any glucose meter.
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– Same limitations as for t:slim X2 with basal-IQ Technology (see above) – No “suspend on low” or “suspend before low” features. – Decxom G5 CGM requires calibration (at least twice a day)
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| Unique Features | Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
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-Basal-IQ Technology: Automatically suspends insulin delivery when low glucose in predicted. Insulin is automatically resumed when the glucose begins to rise. -Control-IQ Technology: Administers correction boluses for predicted glucose above 180 mg/dl and adjusts basal rate as follows: decreases basal rate for predicted glucose less than 112.5 mg/dl and increases basal rate for predicted glucose greater than 160 mg/dl. – Integrated with the Dexcom G6 CGM that requires NO calibration. – Color Touchscreen – Updatable Software – Rechargeable battery – Remote monitoring: Glucose data can be shared with up to 5 followers.
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– Size: 3.13 x 2 x 0.6 in (relatively small in size) – Weight~ 3.95 oz – Watertight – 300-unit cartridge – Flat reservoir design – Micro-delivery technology
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Integrated with the Dexcom G6 CGM (Does not require calibration)
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– Does not communicate wirelessly with any glucose meter.
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– No “auto mode” feature. Basal insulin is not automatically adjusted. – Does not communicate wirelessly with any glucose meter (no remote blousing via a glucose meter) – No finger-stick confirmation is required when making treatment decision based on readings from the Dexcom G6
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| Unique Features | Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
| – The system consists of a pod that is worn for up to 72 hrs and a remote Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) with color touch screen. – Omnipod “Display” app allows users to view data on their smartphones. – No tubing (minimizes disconnecting problems) – The Pod has a small and flexible cannula that inserts automatically with the push of a button on the PDM. |
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– Pump and blood glucose meter that is built in the PDM. (Not a CGM).
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– FreeStyle blood glucose meter is built in the PDM and communicates wirelessly with the Pod
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– No “auto mode” feature. Basal insulin is not automatically adjusted.
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– Size:| Unique Features | Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
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– The system consists of a pod that is worn for up to 72 hrs and a remote Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) – No tubing (minimizes disconnecting problems) – The Pod has a small and flexible cannula that inserts automatically with the push of a button on the PDM. |
– Size: POD: 1.53 x 2.05 x 0.57 in PDM: 2.4 x 4.4 x 0.82 in – Waterproof – 200-unit reservoir built into pod.
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– Pump and blood glucose meter that is built in the PDM. (Not a CGM).
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– FreeStyle blood glucose meter is built in the PDM and communicates wirelessly with the Pod
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– No “auto mode” feature. Basal insulin is not automatically adjusted. – No “suspend on low” or “suspend before low” features. – Does not come with an integrated CGM system. |
| Dana Diabecare iis Unique Features |
Other Features | Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo | Compatible Glucose Meter | Notes |
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– Stand-alone pump – One of the smallest and lightest insulin pumps -24 languages supported – Icon driven menu
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– Size: 2.95 x 1.77 x 0.74 in – Weight: 2.15 oz -Waterproof – 300-unit reservoir
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Stand alone pump
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Stand alone pump
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– No “auto mode” feature. Basal insulin is not automatically adjusted. – No “suspend on low” or “suspend before low” features. – Does not connect to a CGM or a blood glucose meter – Compatible with Sooil infusion sets only. |
