Insulin Pump Infusion Sets

Focus Express Mail Pharmacy carries several different types of insulin pump infusion sets, including Sof-Set, Silhouette and Quick-Set from Medtronic MiniMed; Comfort from Hypoguard and Animas; and Tender, Ultraflex, and Rapid-D from Disetronic. What exactly is an insulin pump infusion set, and how does it differ from the insulin pump itself?

The infusion set is an important component of the insulin pump. It consists of skinny plastic tubing which delivers insulin from the pump to the person. Most insulin infusion sets come in one of two sizes: 24 inches or 42 inches. The tip of each infusion set tube ends in either a soft cannula or a needle. The cannula or needle is inserted in the user's skin, often on the abdomen, and the insulin passes through this opening.

Infusion sets are not permanent, or even semi-permanent. For instance, soft cannulas (a more popular choice than needles) have to be changed every second or third day. However, automatic inserters make changing the infusion set relatively quick and easy.

It's also important to note that pumps are not automatic. While pumps do deliver basal doses of insulin without any action on the part of the user, it is up to the user to determine how much insulin should be given. In other words, you will still need to perform home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) if you use an insulin pump. A combination of HBGM and insulin pump therapy does produce superior glucose control with increased freedom, however.