insulin pumps

Insulin Pump Comparisons 2010
Insulin pumps of this comparison are still used by many patients with diabetes, or still are in availability. If desired, you can consulltar our comparison with newer models.
• Animas IR 1250
• Animas IR 2020
• Insulet OmniPod
      • Medtronic/MiniMed Paradigm 522/722
• Roche/Disetronic Accu-Chek Spirit
• Smith/Deltec Cozmo 1800

Features common to all pumps include:
· Similar pricing
· 4-yr warranty
· Multiple basal programs
· Vibrate option
· Easy-filling cartridges
· Lighted screen
· Small/lightweight
· Over-the-counter batteries
· Extensive memory		      · Beeper-like appearance
· Temp basal option
· Splash resistant
· 24-hour toll-free helpline
· Internal safety checks
· Child button lock-out
· Full Training Incl.
· Easy-programming 		     · Multiple infusion set options
· Extended bolus options
· Programmable reminders
· Download to PC
· Low batt. warning
· Low insulin warning
· Upgradeable software
· User-set active insulin time






Animas
IR 1250

Unique Advantages
+  Locally-based company (Philadelphia area); outstanding customer service
+ Very compact size
+ Dedicated light button; can use at any time
+ AA Lithium battery lasts 6-8 weeks
+ Adjustable screen contrast
+ .025-Unit basal increments
+ User-defined timeout setting
+ User-defined occlusion sensitivity
+ Customizable tune for alerts
+ Cartridges very easy to fill without air bubbles
Potential Drawbacks
–  Time segments are pre-set for I:C ratios, target BS and insulin sensitivity
– Battery change requires re-priming
– Cannot see cartridge inside pump
– No direct link with a blood glucose meter
– Extra button presses required with most standard programming
– No data averages or statistics generated
– Cannot recall blood glucose or carb history
– Insulin On-Board is not subtracted uniformly
– Blank screen in rest mode
– 200-Unit cartridge limit
– Cursor speed (scroll) difficult to master
– Bolus delivery may be too rapid for some




Animas
IR 2020

Unique Advantages
+  Locally-based company (Philadelphia area); outstanding customer service
+ Very compact size
+ Very bright, full-color screen; easy to read
+ Dedicated light button; can use at any time
+ AA Lithium battery lasts 6-8 weeks
+ Adjustable screen contrast
+ .025-Unit basal increments
+ User-defined timeout setting
+ User-defined occlusion sensitivity
+ Customizable tune for alerts
+ Cartridges very easy to fill without air bubbles
Potential Drawbacks
–  Battery change requires re-priming
– Cannot see cartridge inside pump
– No direct link with a blood glucose meter
– Extra button presses required with most standard programming
– No data averages or statistics generated
– Cannot recall blood glucose or carb history
– Insulin On-Board is not subtracted uniformly
– Blank screen in rest mode
– 200-Unit cartridge limit
– Cursor speed (scroll) difficult to master
– Bolus delivery may be too rapid for some




Insulet
 OmniPod

Unique Advantages
+  Reduced up-front costs
+ Can program through clothing
+ Very discrete size
+ No tubing (minimizes wasted insulin, no tangling/snagging, less awkward)
+ Automated cannula insertion
+ Air pockets purged mechanically from reservoir
+ Pump is fully watertight
+ Temp basals can be customized/preset
+ Freestyle meter built into handheld programmer
+ Can customize programming text without PC linkup
+ Large screen w/full-sentence text
Potential Drawbacks
–  Must use handheld programmer to do any programming
– Insulin-On-Board calculation neglects to include insulin given for food
– Cannot do programming or editing while bolus is delivering
– Cannula may not insert properly on curved body parts
– Only one cannula type/length; may not work for all body types
– Max reservoir volume 200u
– Pod stops working after 72 hours (plus grace period)
– Handheld will not calculate bolus if BG < 50
– Company new to insulin pump market
– Dislodged cannula requires complete pod replacement
– “Disconnection” requires complete pod replacement
– No vibrate option on pod or handheld
– Only 1 handheld provided – must purchase backup
– Programming basal rates requires start and end-time entries
– No data download option
– Temp basal limited to 12 hours max



Medtronic/MiniMed
 Paradigm 522/722

Unique Advantages
+  Company in pump business 20 years
+ Links with optional Continuous Glucose Monitor
+ Quickest/simplest bolus programming
+ Can program bolus by unit entry even when “bolus wizard” calculator is turned on
+ Slim/streamlined attachable clip
+ Optional remote control (@ addl. cost)
+ Low reservoir alert in units or hrs left
+ Radio frequency communication with up to 3 BD blood glucose meters
+ Easily downloadable to online Carelink program for complete data analysis
Potential Drawbacks
–  Volatile RAM, memory can be lost
– Not water-tight
– No food database
– Must use proprietary infusion sets
– Slowest bolus delivery
– 25-Unit maximum bolus
– Smallest bolus increment is .1 units
– Backlight “flashes” during programming
– Must pay for loaner/backup pumps
– Holds 180 units; 300-unit version is slightly larger
– Short battery life (avg 2-3 weeks)





Roche/Disetronic
Accu-Chek Spirit

Unique Advantages
+  Can use rechargeable batteries
+ Display can be flipped 180°
+ Fully tactile buttons
+ Includes separate palmOne/Zire with software for calculating boluses
+ Approx. 1-month battery life
Potential Drawbacks
–  Basal rates limited to .1-unit increments
– Must program 24 separate basal rates (1 for each hour)
– No bolus calculations on the pump itself
– Cartridges difficult to fill/remove bubbles; very long filling needle
– Slow entry of large boluses doses
– Must memorize button sequences (no on-screen menus)
– No direct link with a blood glucose meter
– Pump does not know exact insulin level; must set volume manually
– Some functions require “combination” button presses
– Noisy clicks during bolus delivery
– 25-Unit maximum bolus
– Smallest screen
– No compact attachable clip
– Must stop pump to change cartridge
– No cannula-fill process (insulin usage totals will be inaccurate)
– Sharp corners on casing



Smith/Deltec
Cozmo 1800

Unique Advantages
+  Free software upgrades
+ Attachable Freestyle meter transmits blood glucose directly into pump
+ Customizable Site Change Reminder
+ Temp basals can be preset & labeled
+ Customizable home screen text
+ Can suspend delivery without canceling temp basal and ext. bolus
+ 75-unit maximum bolus
+ I:C ratios specified for each meal/snack or by time of day
+ Can pre-set I:C ratios for exercise
+ Very fine increments for I:C ratios
+ Setting changes can be made easily using download/upload software
+ 300-Unit cartridge volume
+ Provides specific recommendations for treating/preventing hypoglycemia
+ Snooze feature with most reminders
+ Therapy effectiveness “scorecard”
+ Backlight can come on by default
+ Safety reminders with extended disconnection
+ Customizable food list/meal maker program
+ Alerts and basal patterns can be customized by day of the week
+ Optional basal testing parameters
Potential Drawbacks
–  Low screen contrast; characters may be difficult to see without backlight
–  Unused insulin based on linear action
–  Slightly thicker design than other pumps
– Dedicated bolus button difficult to press; button cover has a tendency to peel off
– Lacks a compact, attachable clip
– Difficult to switch between “bolus calculator” and “normal bolus” modes
– Extended bolus option does not utilize custom meal boluses
– Advanced features can be complex to program
– Downloading data via infrared can be complex and time-consuming
– Download software provides limited data analysis


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