What Is An insulin pump?

What Is An insulin pump?

An insulin pump is a pager-size device that delivers insulin around the clock, much like a healthy pancreas does. And patients can start or stop insulin delivery upon demand to normalize blood sugar (glucose) levels. Insulin pump therapy is the most advanced method for precise and adjustable insulin delivery and is a superior alternative to multiple daily injections (MDI) for the treatment of diabetes. Commercial insulin pumps are external devices that are not implanted in the body. Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of an insulin pump.

An insulin pump holds a reservoir with a two-to-three day supply of insulin, which is delivered through a tiny disposable tube and a soft cannula that is typically inserted under the skin in the abdominal area. Infusion sets are generally changed by the patient every two-to-three days. An insulin pump automatically delivers a constant rate of insulin – called a “basal rate”– to keep glucose levels in the desired range between meals and overnight. An insulin pump is easy to operate and users can customize a variety of insulin delivery rates to match their individual lifestyle needs. With an insulin pump, needles are not required to deliver insulin. At the touch of a few buttons, patients can deliver extra insulin (called a “bolus”) to prevent excessive rises in glucose levels.