Insulin Pump

The insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system integrates the control and flexibility of insulin pump therapy with real-time continuous glucose readings, trend arrows and graphs to help patients understand more about their diabetes control.  Real-time access to glucose patterns allows patients to intervene in ways never before possible making it easier for them to work with their healthcare provider to optimize their glucose management.  The system also provides peace of mind with built-in alarms that are designed to alert patients when their glucose values enter dangerous ranges. 

System Components

The system is made up of the following technology components: a real-time continuous glucose sensor, a radio frequency transmitter and a “smart” insulin pump

Glucose Sensor

• The glucose sensor is a tiny electrode worn by the patient for up to three days.
  
• The glucose sensor is easily inserted by patients, caregivers or healthcare professionals into the skin (subcutaneous tissue) using an automatic insertion device.
  
• Following a two-hour initialization period, the glucose sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which is where cells get oxygen and nutrients, including glucose.
  
• The glucose sensor produces an electronic signal which is proportional to the amount of glucose present in the blood.
  
• As many as 288 glucose readings are recorded by the sensor each day – nearly 100 times more information than three daily fingerstick measurements.

 Transmitter

• The radio frequency transmitter connects to the glucose sensor and attaches to the skin by an adhesive patch.
  
• Using radio frequency, the transmitter sends glucose values from the sensor to the insulin pump every five minutes.
  
• With near-continuous use, the transmitter has a battery lifespan of approximately nine months.
  Because the transmitter is waterproof, patients can shower, bathe or swim while wearing both the transmitter and the glucose sensor.

Insulin Pump

• The insulin pump serves two important functions: it displays updated real-time glucose values every five minutes, and delivers insulin in a way that more closely matches the functioning of a human pancreas. 
• Trend graphs as well as arrows indicate how fast – and in which direction – glucose is moving. 
• Alarms (sound or vibrating) are designed to alert patients to potentially dangerous hypoglycemia (low glucose levels) and hyperglycemia (high glucose levels) episodes. 
• An onboard diabetes calculator simplifies complex diabetes math and recommends insulin dosages based upon glucose levels, food intake and information preset by the user (target blood glucose, insulin sensitivity and insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios). 
• The insulin pump also tracks how much insulin is “still active” in the body to help patients avoid delivering too much insulin. 
• A minimum of two fingerstick are required each day (one every 12-hours) to calibrate the continuous glucose monitoring system, and a confirmatory fingerstick is required prior to making a self-management decision.

Indications

• The insulin pump is indicated for the continuous delivery of insulin, at set and variable rates, for the management of diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin. 

• The CGM system components are indicated for continuous or periodic monitoring of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin, and possible low and high blood glucose episodes in adults (ages 18 and older). 
• It alerts if a glucose level falls below or rises above preset values. 
• Values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using a home glucose monitor and not on the insulin pump system values.

Source:Medtronic Diabetes

For more information visit www.minimed.com/