An insulin pump is a small device that delivers insulin continuously to the body. About the size of a compact cell phone, it is worn outside the body in a pocket, underneath clothing in a leg pouch, bra pouch, or on your belt like a phone or MP3 player.
MiniMed Paradigm 522 insulin pump with optional continuous glucose monitoring functionality shown
Learn about infusion sets…
The insulin pump delivers insulin through a tiny, soft tube – thinner than a strand of spaghetti. At the end of the tube is an even smaller, softer tube called a cannula. It's about as long as your fingernail. With just one, virtually painless needlestick, the cannula goes under the skin and is ready to connect to the insulin pump. Usually, 12 of these infusion set insertions are required per month. These easy insertions eliminate the need for the standard 120 insulin injections that would be required with common multiple daily injection regimens.
Learn more about infusion sets
Insulin is delivered around the clock, according to a programmed plan unique to each insulin pump wearer. A small amount of insulin is given continually (the "basal rate"). This insulin keeps blood glucose in the desired range between meals and over night. When food is eaten, the user programs the insulin pump to deliver a "bolus dose" of insulin matched to the amount of food that will be consumed.
The insulin pump is not automatic! The user still has to decide how much insulin will be given. But insulin pumps are the most accurate, precise, and flexible insulin delivery system currently available. Using the results of blood glucose monitoring, the experienced insulin pump user can use this tool to obtain excellent blood glucose control while living a normal lifestyle, free of the strict scheduling demands that are required by conventional insulin regimens.
Insulin pumps are also becoming more advanced. In 2006, Medtronic Diabetes introduced the world's first system to integrate insulin pump therapy with continuous glucose monitoring, providing even better control, flexibility, and health
