What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is a device you wear that delivers small amounts of fast-acting insulin under your skin throughout the day. Most pumps are small, computerized devices about the size of a juice box or a deck of cards.
Continuous internal insulin infusion pumps are one notable alternative to multiple daily injections with either a syringe or a pen for people who have diabetes and administer insulin to control the disease.
It can help people with diabetes better control their blood sugar. There are a few different types of insulin pumps, each slightly different. For now, let’s look at some of the basic types of insulin pumps and how they could benefit you.
Traditional Insulin Pump (Tubed)
Traditional pumps are small-sized insulin pumps that can be attached to the body. These can deliver a continuous insulin dose via a tube connected with a small catheter inserted under the skin. The pump delivers insulin in the following two ways:
- Basal insulin: a small, steady supply of insulin provided during the day and night.
- Bolus insulin: This is taken at mealtimes to cover the carbs eaten.
Patch Pumps (Tubeless)
Patch pumps represent the new generation of insulin pumps. They do not comprise any tubing, as would be assumed by other older versions of pumps. They connect directly to your skin. You can quickly wear them on your stomach, arm, or thigh. They function as follows:
- Basal insulin delivery: The modes described earlier before the pumps likewise delivered a constant insulin dose.
- Bolus Doses: The pump delivers the extra amount of insulin upon request and as programmed.
Closed-Loop Insulin Pumps
Others are much further along, as with closed-loop insulin pumps. They measure your blood glucose level and adjust the insulin delivery accordingly. Most of them have a continuous glucose monitor that will track your sugar levels throughout the day. When that pump recognizes those going up or down, it makes appropriate adjustments to keep your level as stable as possible.
CGM Integrated Insulin Patch Pumps
Some pumps integrate with a continuous glucose monitor, allowing the pump to auto-correct in real-time. If your blood sugar goes too high or too low, the pump will automatically correct your insulin dose, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Key points to remember
- Basal Insulin: Continuous supply of insulin
- Bolus Insulin: Extra insulin taken with meals
- Traditional Pumps: These models use tubes and a catheter.
- Patch Pumps: Do not have tubes; these pumps are attached directly to your skin
- Closed-loop Pumps: Automatically adjust insulin to real-time changes in blood glucose levels.
Brands of Insulin Pumps
The following represent the insulin pump brands available today in the United States:
- iLet Bionic Pancreas System, tubed pump
- Medtronic MiniMed, multiple tubed pumps
- Omnipod, multiple tubeless pumps.
- Tandem t: slim (multiple tubed pumps).
Another tubeless pump is the Accu-Chek Solo Micropump System, which is currently available only in the United Kingdom but awaiting approval by the U.S. FDA.
Conclusion
The type of insulin pump you will use depends on your lifestyle and needs. You can also ask your doctor which suits you best. Diabetes management will become easier with the right tools and support. These can be obtained from our website https://delivermymeds.com/ at reasonable prices, enabling reliable and continuous glucose monitoring.
