The insulin pump - installation, types, application

modern science is making every effort to make life easier for diabetics.A few years ago, each patient had to carry a syringe that has now been provided a device which much simplifies the administration of the hormone.Modern devices, called insulin pumps, aimed at improving the lives of people, in fact, they can constantly monitor blood sugar levels and prevent the development of complications associated with the disease.

Purpose device

Modern instruments differ significantly from those who were at the dawn of creation of the automated insulin pumps.Although the principle of their operation is the same.An insulin pump is designed to replace the insulin pens, which are a constant companion of the people suffering from diabetes.Until the advent and spread of this device, patients were forced several times a day do yourself insulin injections for life.And the devices can be programmed by specifying the mode of insulin delivery and the necessary dosage.Moreover, according to the daily activity, you can

specify several options intake of hormone dosage picking individual needs.

constant use of the pump allows normal life.The device, according to the programmed values, he will introduce the required dose of the hormone.Eating well does not cause any discomfort, just press a special button on the device, and will be put under the skin of an additional amount of insulin.

structure pump

Regardless of the price of the device manufacturer and all similar devices.They consist of the following components:

  • directly to an insulin pump, which includes a mechanism for control and data processing, batteries;
  • capacity for insulin, which is located inside the unit;
  • interchangeable set, it consists of a system of connecting pipes and the cannula through which and subcutaneous administration of the hormone.

Disadvantages intensified therapy

pump action purports to maximize replace pancreas.Previously, when the intensified therapy, people need repeated injections of insulin, which tries to mimic the natural operation of the body.This patient was administered two types of hormones: an ultrashort and Extension.Insulin injections second type must be done twice a day (usually in the morning and evening).But the first form of this hormone was introduced when the need for it in the body increases, such as when eating.Additional injections of insulin are called ultrashort bolus.So, every day a patient with diabetes need to make 2 long acting injections of the hormone and not less than 3 - short.But even such a regime is not able to simulate the work of the pancreas, so patients are constantly faced with nocturnal hypoglycemia and with the increase of sugar in the morning.

mechanism of action of the device

automated administration of the hormone helps to get rid of weight related problems.An insulin pump is designed for the introduction of ultra low doses of insulin that mimics the most natural functioning of the body.The volume and frequency of administration are chosen strictly individually, depending on the needs of each individual.That is, the body receives as much hormone as he needs at this moment.For this and need insulin pump.Reviews diabetics notice that their life has improved with the introduction of this device.

operation principle is as follows.The pump itself is a reservoir with insulin.He is using tubes connected to the cannula (plastic needle) that is injected into the subcutaneous fat in the abdominal area.Special piston fixed speed presses on the bottom of the tank, providing a continuous supply of the hormone.But beyond that, in each insulin pump provides the possibility bolus of insulin, which is needed during a meal.To do this, just press a special button.


automated device to enter the insulin is able to make life easier for diabetics.But do not forget that its use is associated with a number of problems.The most important of them - is the need to constantly buy supplies for insulin pump.These include:

  • tank, which is insulin;
  • cannula, which is inserted under the skin;
  • catheter connecting unit and a needle.

If your device has the additional function of glucose control, by changing materials is another sensor, which measures the concentration of sugar.

Indications pump

Remove from everyday life reusable insulin injection - is the dream of every diabetic.At present, almost every patient can be acquired insulin pump.Reviews of many people who use these devices indicate that they do not feel sorry for money spent.

So, to get a better pump persons who are involved in sports, are quite active, and those who want to hide their illness from others.Also, this is preferable to insulin therapy for children and adolescents, for women who are planning to become a mother, and for those people who have complications of diabetes occur.Talking about the mandatory use of the pump is possible and in cases where there is frequent hypoglycemia, and pronounced the morning syndrome with a sharp jump sugar levels.

cons of using the device

Before you decide to buy this expensive machine, you should consider that it has a number of drawbacks and contraindications.So, the main disadvantage is the price of pumps and supplies for them.Operation of the unit cost of 6-7 thousand patients a month.If you are diabetic decides to buy a device that independently controls the level of glucose, the monthly cost of its use will grow by 2-3 times.

But even if the patient can afford an insulin pump, do not forget about a number of contraindications.These include the obvious drop in visual acuity up to blindness, reduced intellectual level and existing allergic or inflammatory processes are localized in the abdomen.

pumps for children

Unfortunately, often the first type of diabetes begins to emerge in childhood.To make life easier for the baby, the parents decide to replace the constant injections of insulin pump.But if you choose this device for the child must take into account a number of features.So, before buying you must pay attention to the speed with which insulin is served.If your child has a small daily dose, it is better to pay attention to the vehicles, capable of delivering 0,025 units or 0.05 hormone every hour.For young people with a high need for insulin better to choose a device with a large tank.It is also important that the pump was equipped with a signal that sounds when the pass bolus when eating.

example, the Medtronic insulin pump has been designed for children Veo.The compact size, ease of operation, continuous monitoring of glucose levels and signals when it changes allow parents to monitor the condition of their children.Also, the machine does not allow you to skip the next bolus while eating, will inform about the speed of change in the concentration of sugar.But whatever the device was purchased, it is necessary to control the children of any age.Parents should closely monitor the condition of the child and not to forget that the cannula is gradually clogged, and insulin no longer flow in the right amounts.It is also important to monitor the level of battery power on the pump.

also need to choose the right supplies.For example, children use shorter needles, the length of the catheter and adjusted individually.

As used device

If you decide to buy, and automated device for administering insulin, the first thing you need to deal with the workings of acquired insulin pump.Installing it is as follows.

  1. necessary to get the insulin reservoir and remove the piston.
  2. needle inserted into the vial with a hormone, it lets air from the same tank of insulin.This must be done in order to prevent a vacuum in the recruitment of the drug.
  3. With piston hormone is pumped into the tank, then the needle is removed.Formed in the tank is necessary to squeeze out any air bubbles.
  4. tank is attached to the catheter and inserted into the space provided in the pump.After that you need to get rid of insulin through a tube system and remove remaining air.This is done before the catheter is attached to the cannula in order to avoid excessive contact of insulin in the body.
  5. Ends needle collection devices connecting to the system.

In addition to changing the tank, every patient should know how often the cannula should be replaced.It is not less than 1 to 4 times a day, regardless of whether a particular installed insulin pump.Medtronic, for example, recommends that a cannula often, because they can become clogged.With them it is necessary to change the infusion set: needle and catheter.But the tank can last up to 10 days.

known manufacturers

Currently, Russia is not too large variety of devices that provide automated entry of insulin.Available on the market are insulin pumps "Medtronic" and Accu-Chek.They have offices in Russia, so diabetics have no problems with the purchase of necessary supplies.

the cheapest insulin pump 'Medtronic "will cost the patient more than 80 thousand rubles.It will introduce a hormone with a minimum rate of 0.05 one o'clock.However, the manufacturer also offers more expensive options.They are capable to control the concentration of sugar, monitor changes in its level and warn of the danger of raising or lowering its level.In addition, the device itself can be reminded of the need for a bolus dose of the hormone during a meal.

Insulin pump Accu-Chek (Roche) will cost a bit cheaper, the most affordable option is worth about 60 thousand. Rubles.This device provides the use of insulin Penfill volume of 3 ml, instead of the tank.It also reduces operating costs.In addition, Roche released a completely waterproof pump equipped with a reservoir volume on 315 units of the hormone.

Development "Medtronic"

Best American company Medtronic insulin pump was created Paradigm.This allows for treatment to bring a higher level.Provided it is due to the fact that the pump is always on the screen in real-time data is displayed on the level of glucose, they change every 5 minutes.This was made possible after development of a special sensor, which is mounted so as cannula, and using RF technology transmits data on the pump.

If you change the concentration of sugar insulin pump 722 will alert you about this using a special signal.This helps to avoid hypo- or giperklikemii, time spent feeding an appropriate adjustment to the level of insulin.The most important drawback is the cost of the device, its price is 130 thousand. Rubles, and the latest version is almost 200 thousand. Expensive cost and supplies, because the sensor and the infusion set should be changed after 3-5 days.