What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is designed to deliver insulin continuously under the surface of the skin (referred to as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, or CSII), and to help keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. A landmark scientific study shows that maintaining blood glucose levels at or near normal levels greatly decreases the likelihood of complications from diabetes*.* Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. New Engl J Med. 1993;329:977-986.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which renders the pancreas unable to make sufficient insulin to meet the diabetic’s needs, rendering them dependent on injected insulin. For many diabetics, this means giving themselves several injections every day. The advent of fast-acting and extended time-release insulins has improved the control that diabetics have over their blood sugars, but has also increased the number of injections required in a day. An insulin pump provides a diabetic with even tighter control of their blood sugars, while removing the need to treat the disease via injections. An insulin pump is a device about the size of a pager, which can be conveniently carried in a pocket, on a belt clip, or in another discreet place on the body. A line carries insulin from the insulin pump into the person’s body, where the tip of the line, called the cannula, is inserted just under the skin and taped down. This tiny catheter must be changed every couple of days, and can be changed
