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

Hybrid closed-loop pump
Auto Mode feature: Automatically adjusts basal insulin delivery every 5 minutes to keep glucose within target
Suspend on low: Automatically stops insulin delivery for up to 2 hrs if glucose reaches a preset low limit and the user does not react to the low glucose alarm. Insulin is automatically restarted when the glucose begins to rise.
Suspend before low: Automatically stops insulin delivery for up to 2 hrs if glucose is predicted to reach a preset low limit in 30 minutes. Insulin is automatically restarted when the glucose begins to rise.

 

– Size: 2.1 x 3.78 x 0.96 in.
– Weight~ 3.7 oz
– Waterproof
– Color screen
– 300-unit reservoir

 

 

 

Functions as both insulin pump & CGM (using Guardian Sensor 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contour Next Link 2.4 meter can be used to wirelessly communicate with the system (includes the option of remote blousing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

– The Guardian sensor 3 requires calibration at least 2 times a day.
– Fingerstick confirmation is required when making treatment decisions
– No remote monitoring or data sharing with others (e.g. parents can not monitor the glucose readings of their kids remotely)

 

 

 

Medtronic MINIMED 630G Unique Features Other Features Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo Compatible Glucose Meter Notes

– 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

 

Functions as both insulin pump and CGM (using Guardian Sensor 3)

 

 

Contour Next Link 2.4 meter can be used to wirelessly communicate with the system (includes the option of remote blousing)

 

– 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)

 

 

 

 

– Does not communicate wirelessly with any glucose meter.

 

 

 

 

– 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)  

 

 

Unique Features Other Features Stand-alone Pump vs Pump-CGM Combo Compatible Glucose Meter Notes

-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.

 

 

– 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 G6 CGM (Does not require calibration)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Does not communicate wirelessly with any glucose meter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 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

 

 

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.

– 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.

 

 

– Pump and blood glucose meter that is built in the PDM. (Not a CGM).

 

 

 

 

 

– FreeStyle blood glucose meter is built in the PDM and communicates wirelessly with the Pod

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 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.

 

 

 

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)

– 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.

 

– Pump and blood glucose meter that is built in the PDM. (Not a CGM).

 

 

 

 

– FreeStyle blood glucose meter is built in the PDM and communicates wirelessly with the Pod

 

 

 

 

 

– 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

– Stand-alone pump

– One of the smallest and lightest insulin pumps

-24 languages supported

– Icon driven menu

 

 

– Size: 2.95 x 1.77 x 0.74 in – Weight: 2.15 oz -Waterproof – 300-unit reservoir

 

 

 

 

Stand alone pump

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stand alone pump

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 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.

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