Insulin Pumps

An insulin pump is a small external medical device used to administer continuous insulin infusion in the subcutaneous tissue. It is computerized and programmed and is a good alternative to repetitive daily and painful injections. The device comes in many configurations and designs. It is becoming popular due to its ability to imitate body’s mechanism of insulin release thus helping in a better control of blood sugar levels. It can be programmed to deliver bolus doses or small continuous doses.

ORIGIN

The first insulin pump was designed by Dr. Arnold Kadish in 1963. It was in the form of a backpack. Later a more comfortable to wear device was designed by Dean Kamen in 1976. Since then, insulin pump has seen a lot of technological and aesthetic improvements.

PARTS OF AN INSULIN PUMP

Traditionally every insulin pump is made up of a pump, reservoir, infusion set with tubing.

WHO REQUIRES INSULIN PUMP?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

An insulin pump is programmed to deliver a bolus dose or a continuous insulin delivery. It is used to administer short acting and rapid acting insulins. Different dosing regimens via a pump are:

ADVANTAGES OF USING AN INSULIN PUMP

DISADVANTAGES OF USING A PUMP

POINTS TO REMEMBER WHILE USING PUMP