Guide to the Minimed insulin pump

Jacques is on the Medtrontic Minimed insulin pump.  This has been a life saver for us.

Here is a quick how to guide on this amazing insulin pump:

Listed below are all the components used in the pump:

1.  Paradigm quick set

2.  Quick-serter (quitie pie as we call it)

3.  Paradigm 1.8ml reservoire

4.  Novo-rapid insulin

(These are the products we use with Jacques – there are a few other also available)

Our routine of changing the needle site:

Setting up

In order to use an insulin pump, the reservoir must first be filled with insulin. Some pumps are designed to be used with prefilled cartridges that are replaced when empty. Most, however, must be filled with insulin of the users choice (in our case Novo-Rapid)

Setting up includes:

1. I first open a new (sterile) empty pump reservoir
2. Then I withdraw the plunger;
3. The needle is then inserted into the vial of insulin;
4. The air from the reservoir is then injected into the vial to prevent a vacuum forming in the vial as insulin is withdrawn;
5. The insulin is then drawn into the reservoir with the plunger, and the needle is then removed;
6. Any air bubbles is squirted out from the reservoir, and the plunger also removed;
7. The reservoir is then attached to the infusion set tubing;
8. The assembly is then installed into the pump and the tubing is then primed (insulin and any air bubbles are pushed through the tubing) – it is essential that this is done with the pump disconnected from the body to prevent accidental insulin delivery;
9. It is then attached (the needle is injected) into the infusion “site” (and a fixed prime is given in the cannula if a new set has been inserted).

Insulin pump, showing an infusion set loaded into quick-serter insertion device. A reservoir is attached to the infusion set (shown here removed from the pump).

Dosing

An insulin pump allows the replacement of slow-acting insulin for basal needs with a continuous infusion of rapid-acting insulin.

The insulin pump delivers a single type of fast-acting insulin in two ways:

• a bolus dose that is pumped to cover food eaten or to correct a high blood glucose level.
• a basal dose that is pumped continuously at an adjustable basal rate to deliver insulin needed between meals and at night.

This whole process sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is!  Once you get used to the process, you will be able to do it in your sleep.