Insulin Pumps Article Archives

My husband and I have nine children. Elliott is our oldest and when he was diagnosed with type 1 at age 11 in 1996, we were blindsided. Neither my husband, nor I, nor anyone in our extended family had diabetes. Elliot had all of the classic symptoms: excessive thirst, frequent urination, uncontrollable hunger, occasional blurry vision, and (something I think a lot of parents don't recognize as a sign) bedwetting.  

6 comments - Posted 28 August 2008

The exhibit hall at this year's Children with Diabetes conference in Orlando, Florida, from July 23 to 27, 2008, featured expensive and elaborate booths from well-known companies like LifeScan and large organizations such as the American Diabetes Association. But another kind of company also welcomed people to their booths. They were the diabetes start-ups, companies that were started more often than not because of an intimate connection to the world of diabetes. I spoke to representatives of five of these companies about their products, their mission, and their inspiration.

3 comments - Posted 28 August 2008

The members of the AADE are an impassioned group who genuinely want to make a difference in their patients' lives. It was an ideal place for me to be, especially because I had a concern of my own: Why am I getting red dots every time I inject? Every educator I asked went right to work examining the problem and investigating my behavior, truly wanting to help. Unfortunately, they are dwindling in number each year, while patients are increasing in number, making their work ever more demanding.

3 comments - Posted 20 August 2008

The provincial government of Ontario has announced it will spend $741 million over the next four years to combat diabetes, including paying the costs of insulin pumps for adults with type 1 diabetes.

4 comments - Posted 24 July 2008

In the wake of its clearance by the FDA, Animas Corporation says it will make its new OneTouch® Ping™ glucose management system available to people with diabetes by mid-August.

3 comments - Posted 10 July 2008

With annual worldwide sales topping 1.3 billion dollars, insulin pumps are one of the most popular devices in the treatment of diabetes. Not only do they allow people with type 1 diabetes to more easily manage their blood glucose levels, but they also help users regain their freedom and enjoy a more normal life.

13 comments - Posted 30 May 2008

Editor's note: Below Mr. Kramer's letter, you can click on links to Medtronic's and Dexcom's reponses. We appreciate the balanced discussion of this  important topic.

32 comments - Posted 22 May 2008

A Question-and-Answer Session With Jordan Hoese, A 14-Year-Old Type 1 Marathon Runner.

15 comments - Posted 21 April 2008

Professional surfer Scott Dunton, 21, has two missions in life: To keep climbing in the rankings as one of the world’s top competitive surfers, and to spread the word to children and teenagers everywhere that having diabetes doesn’t mean life’s joys come to a halt.

6 comments - Posted 26 March 2008

Editor:  I am an enthusiastic reader of your magazine. I appreciate the number of times you have tackled some of the bigger questions of diabetes management that others have ignored.

26 comments - Posted 22 January 2008

The name insulin comes from the Latin insula, for islands. It refers to the pancreatic islets of Langerhans that contain the beta cells.

1 comment - Posted 20 December 2007

To conclude our pump survey, we asked you how you'd like to see pumping improved. As usual, you came up with a plethora of intriguing suggestions, although some were a bit more visionary than others: One reader said, "I wish someone would invent a device that could be waved over a meal, and it would display the number of carbs in the meal."

38 comments - Posted 13 December 2007

Over the course of the year, we meticulously update all our charts to bring you the most accurate information about hundreds of products, services, and medications. Now we've gathered every one of those charts, from humble lancets to sophisticated continuous glucose monitors, into one handy place.

1 comment - Posted 26 November 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved pre-filled pens for administering Symlin, which was previously available only in vials. The SymlinPen 60 delivers 15, 30, 45, or 60 micrograms per dose.

8 comments - Posted 14 November 2007

This morning, a major meter manufacturer announced that its blood glucose meters will now operate on Microsoft's HealthVault. HealthVault is an online service that allows a patient to store and manage his health records without paying a fee.

28 comments - Posted 31 October 2007

I am a survivor and proud of it. Not only have I lived with diabetes for 52 years, since the age of five, but I am also a breast cancer survivor for over fifteen years.

3 comments - Posted 22 October 2007

If you've got a big protein molecule like insulin, right now the only option for getting it into your body is via a needle or cannula into the subcutaneous tissue. It can't be swallowed because the digestive system would, logically enough, digest it.

0 comments - Posted 28 July 2007

If your Paradigm pump has been not been exposed to powerful magnetic fields, such as those found near MRI machines, you have nothing to worry about. Go about your merry way and keep up the good work. In the unlikely event that such exposure has occurred, however, you need to be aware that it may cause the pump's motor to malfunction and significantly over-deliver insulin, causing severe hypoglycemia.

2 comments - Posted 20 July 2007

The results of our pump survey are in, and we had 841 respondents! Clearly, people are passionate about pumping, both pro and con. In fact, they seem to be more passionate about pumping than about sex, judging by the far greater response we got to this survey than we did to our survey about women and sex!

9 comments - Posted 21 June 2007

The insulin pump is a wonderful device, a marvel of engineering that allows diabetics to screw up at the push of a button. With the pump in use, however, instead of staring at a syringe and racking your brain to remember what you injected into where and how much, a few button clicks will remind you of your mistake, allowing you to correct it with unprecedented accuracy.

0 comments - Posted 10 June 2007

A 22-year-old who's planning to graduate from college this spring with a degree in criminal justice has run up against a Massachusetts state law that bars anyone who wears an insulin pump from being hired as a full-time police officer.

0 comments - Posted 4 June 2007

A study recently published in Diabetes Care has found that people with type 1 who become happy pumpers share characteristics in common. They actively participate in self-care, have realistic expectations of pump performance, and clearly remember how they felt when they were first diagnosed. The researchers believe that these characteristics may help predict who will be a successful pumper.

0 comments - Posted 11 May 2007

A teeny weeny new pump, about a quarter the size of existing pumps, is being readied for the market in 2008.  Developed by Debiotech, the “Nanopump” will be made of two parts: a permanent part containing the electronics and a disposable skin patch with the reservoir and pumping mechanism.

0 comments - Posted 10 May 2007

We’ve gotten the results from our women's sex survey, and now the word is out about you, your diabetes, and sex...

0 comments - Posted 2 May 2007

About three million people in the United States have type 1 diabetes, yet there are fewer than 300,000 insulin pumpers. Given the highly touted data in favor of insulin pumping, we want to know your reasons for either going or not going on the pump. So we've posted a survey here where you can reveal why a pump is, or is not, for you. Your attitudes are important to us, and to all of you, because real change is based on understanding.

0 comments - Posted 18 April 2007

Animas has just introduced its fifth generation insulin pump, the 2020. Especially for those without 20/20 vision, it comes with a self-illuminating, high contrast color screen that uses Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology.

1 comment - Posted 17 April 2007

There’s a new pump in town, and it’s part of a whole pumping system. The ACCU-CHEK® Spirit insulin pump system includes not only the pump, but also one of the three ACCU-CHEK® blood glucose monitors, software with a bolus calculator on a Palm PDA or smartphone, and a carrying case.

1 comment - Posted 14 April 2007

Half of Fifty 50’s profits are donated to research seeking a diabetes cure that, once found, will put Fifty 50 out of business. Its a novel business plan, funding your own demise, but it works for Gary Russell, the companys president and one of its three founders, along with John Beers and Patricia Gawdun. Since the company debuted its first product in 1991, its given away over ten million dollars to diabetes research.

0 comments - Posted 6 April 2007

Dr. David Reiss had never heard of diabetes until age 16, when he found out he had type 1 during his college physical exam. He rebelled and refused injections for a year, but by then there were ketones in his urine and he had no choice. That was 42 years ago, when people gave themselves just one injection a day.

0 comments - Posted 2 April 2007

Deborah Tally has found a fun and inexpensive way to pump up the coolness quotient of insulin pumps, by using colorful cell phone cases from the dollar store instead of a standard pump case.

1 comment - Posted 31 March 2007

New York, New York - March 12, 2007 - About 1,000 people attending the Diabetes Research Institute’s Carnival for a Cure fundraising event in New York yesterday were treated to a live concert by the young pop rock band, the Jonas Brothers, and some surprising inspiration from one of the band members.

104 comments - Posted 13 March 2007

BOSTON - Feb. 27, 2007 - It is widely recognized that the teenage years are often a challenging time for youth with diabetes to maintain good blood glucose control. Hormonal changes, peer pressure, food temptations, and resistance to following good health practices are among the factors that make it difficult for many youngsters. Unfortunately, poor diabetes control places youth at increased risk of developing complications from diabetes later in life.

0 comments - Posted 28 February 2007

On October 10, 2006, Roche Diagnostics announced the launch of the first ACCU-CHEK branded insulin pump—the ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump system.

1 comment - Posted 28 February 2007

The latest and greatest skins are a great way for youngsters to express themselves and show off their cell phones and MP3 players. Now Medtronic MiniMed is offering skins for its Paradigm insulin pump.

0 comments - Posted 1 February 2007

Kids who discontinue pump therapy become “less adherent” and achieve poorer BG results than kids who remain on the pump, according to Joslin researchers who followed a group of type 1 youth starting the pump between 1998 and 2001.

0 comments - Posted 1 February 2007

Medtronic MiniMed’s Guardian RT is being called a “useful and important diagnostic tool for a phenomenon known as nighttime ‘late-onset hypoglycemia’.”

0 comments - Posted 1 February 2007

Researchers in New York are saying that insulin pump therapy at the time of type 1 diagnosis “provides a positive experience … with excellent clinical outcomes and apparent prolongation of the honeymoon period.”

0 comments - Posted 1 February 2007

Roche Diagnostics recently announced the launch of the first ACCU-CHEK branded insulin pump—the ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pump system.

0 comments - Posted 1 February 2007

In November 2006, Insulet Corporation, maker of the OmniPod Insulin Management System, announced that it had won a Nixon Peabody/Smith & Nephew Medical Device Innovation Award from the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC).

0 comments - Posted 1 December 2006

A few pump users have noted some odd occurrences in the day-to-day management of their insulin pump. Skin problems are a real concern and, sometimes, a puzzle to solve.

0 comments - Posted 1 December 2006

This month in our Meters and Pumps & Infusion Sets sections we are doing something a little different. Diabetes Health is launching Diabetes Health TV from our homepage (www.diabeteshealth.com).

1 comment - Posted 1 November 2006

Real-Time Pump and CGMS Technology Given the Go-Ahead by the FDA

0 comments - Posted 1 September 2006

What are your expectations when it comes to pump training? Are they realistic? Do you want improved blood glucose control, improved health and flexibility in choosing when and what to eat? Or, do you just want to avoid frequent intensive insulin injections? Are you a “set it and forget it” type?

0 comments - Posted 1 September 2006

Continuing last month’s “What’s New” theme, we offer you a rundown of the latest and greatest in insulin pumping. Below are some highlights of developments to keep your eyes on.

0 comments - Posted 1 August 2006

The FDA has informed Medtronic, Inc., that it was approving its MiniMed Paradigm Real-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.

0 comments - Posted 1 July 2006

Pump Expeditions from Medtronic MiniMed is a CD-ROM-based program that offers users both entertainment and education.

1 comment - Posted 1 July 2006

Jane complains of a burning pain at the abdominal insertion site as soon as the cannula is inserted. It doesn’t subside, so she removes the set and re-inserts at a new location.

1 comment - Posted 1 July 2006

David Kliff is the editor of The Diabetic Investor. In 1994 he was diagnosed with type 2.

1 comment - Posted 1 July 2006

Problems with blood glucose control need to be prevented and solved when using an insulin pump. When something goes wrong, do you blame it on the pump or suspect you made an error? Do you assume there is a pump problem with each alarm?

0 comments - Posted 1 June 2006

Choosing the right insulin pump and infusion set can be a daunting task for prospective users, and the number of options available may be overwhelming.

0 comments - Posted 1 May 2006

Pramlintide (Symlin) is a synthetic amylin analogue. First described in 1987, amylin is a neuroendocrine hormone produced by beta cells, which also produce insulin. This hormone is absent in type 1 diabetes and decreased in type 2 diabetes.

0 comments - Posted 1 April 2006

Are you an expectant mother with diabetes? If so, are you wondering about the disappearance of infusion sites as your baby grows and your abdomen expands? Do you anticipate that “pinching an inch” will become more of a challenge? Are you concerned about the angle and depth of insertion, and how often you should rotate insertion sites? Here are a few suggestions for you:

0 comments - Posted 1 March 2006

Many concerns arise when patients consider the costs of insulin pump therapy. The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions:

1 comment - Posted 1 February 2006

Many pump manufacturers have online stores where you can order and pay for your infusion supplies. In addition to manufacturer Web sites, services are offered by Advantage Rx, CCS Medical, Fifty 50 Pharmacy, Focus Pharmacy, Logimedix and National Diabetic Pharmacy. In Canada, supplies can be obtained from AutoControl Medical.

0 comments - Posted 1 January 2006

Need gift ideas? Holiday gift-giving can be a challenge. Some people like surprise gifts, some make “must have” or “wish” lists. I don’t always know what is on someone’s list, or if they would enjoy a surprise.

0 comments - Posted 1 December 2005

This month, our focus is on giving thanks, or at least, thinking about the good things in life. Being able to plan and eat a Thanksgiving dinner and still maintain blood glucose control is an obvious topic.

0 comments - Posted 1 November 2005

The OmniPod Insulin Management System, which was introduced at the August 2005 American Association of Diabetes Educators Conference in Washington D.C, is a two-part system consisting of the OmniPod and the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM). The System features automated cannula insertion, a fully integrated design including an integrated blood glucose meter that uses blood glucose test strips, and no tubing.

0 comments - Posted 1 November 2005

Dear Ann Landers,
With all due respect—you blew it!

9 comments - Posted 1 November 2005

There’s no argument that an insulin pump is the best choice for diabetes management for a very young child. Many articles have appeared in the past five years that support this opinion.

0 comments - Posted 1 October 2005

Type 1 Kids Do Well on Pumps

0 comments - Posted 1 September 2005

Recently Diabetes Health asked experienced pump users, What are the most important things a new pumper or a potential pumper should know? What advice would you give someone who is frustrated with the pump learning curve while trying to achieve the goal of improved blood glucose control?

0 comments - Posted 1 August 2005

The temperatures are climbing; does this mean trouble for you and your insulin pump? Will your insulin’s potency be affected? Will your glucose levels climb or drop in the warmer weather?

0 comments - Posted 1 July 2005

I have noticed in online discussions about insulin pump therapy that prospective pumpers tend to be much more curious about pumps than they are about infusion sets. But once they start pumping, reality sets in: Getting a pump may be like climbing into the driver’s seat of your diabetes management, but finding the right infusion set for your body and your lifestyle is like putting the key in the ignition. You’re getting somewhere with insulin pump therapy only if the insulin is getting into you reliably and comfortably.

0 comments - Posted 1 May 2005