Insulin Pump Anatomy

 An insulin pump is an external, battery-powered device that continuously delivers rapid-acting insulin in small doses to the body.

Insulin pumps have been around for more than 25 years; however, original pumps were large, bulky objects that required a backpack of equipment for the user to carry. Over the past several years, research and microcomputer technology have enabled insulin pumps to become much smaller and more convenient.

Insulin pumps look very much like a pager and can be attached to a belt or waistband, carried in a pocket, or held with a strap around the arm or thigh. Whether the pump is hidden or visible depends entirely on your preference. Often people don't even realize that you're wearing an insulin pump.

Click here to see the many ways an insulin pump can be worn.

The pump contains a cartridge, or reservoir, of insulin. The cartridge is attached to thin, clear tubing with a tiny cannula (a small hollow tube) or needle on the end. The cannula is inserted just under the skin, usually somewhere on the abdomen. The complete assembly of tubing and cannula is called the infusion set. The infusion set carries the insulin from the pump into the body. The infusion set can remain in place for two to three days (depending on the type) and changing it is a snap! Since the insulin is delivered through the infusion set, multiple daily injections of insulin are no longer necessary. Simply changing the infusion set at regular 2 – 3 day intervals as recommended by your healthcare team is all it takes!

While insulin pumps contain computer technology, they are not completely automatic. An insulin pump requires programming, close monitoring and frequent blood glucose tests. The healthcare team prescribes the initial settings, but it is up to you to program the pump's bolus delivery for meals eaten on a daily basis. Your healthcare team will provide you the training and support for successful insulin pump therapy.