Insulin pump

From ArticleWorld

An insulin pump is a low-flow infusion pump that is used for the administration of a predetermined amount of insulin to a patient with diabetes.

Aspects

The basic insulin pump consists of a handheld device that is battery-operated and includes the controls and the insulin itself inside the pump, usually in a syringe-like pump. In addition, a tube to carry the insulin extends to the patient where it connects to a catheter or needle that delivers a prescribed amount of insulin to the patient’s subcutaneous tissues.

Uses

An insulin pump can be used in a patient who has difficulty controlling their diabetes or who needs tighter control over their blood glucose levels. In either case, the general effect is better blood sugar control and reduced diabetic complications.

Mechanism of action

Insulin pumps generally need practice and trial-and-error to get the right dosages. Only a single type of insulin is used and it takes a while to determine what the proper settings should be. Generally, a small dose is constantly given to the patient with a bolus of insulin given prior to meals or to correct high blood sugar levels.

The operation of the machine depends on the patient taking frequent blood sugar samplings via a glucometer or blood glucose meter. Some companies are in the testing phase of a “closed-loop” system that both detects blood sugar and delivers the proper amount of insulin to the patient. The risk is that either the pump or the measuring aspect will be inaccurate, resulting in dangerous states of low blood sugar.