Automated insulin delivery systems and insulin pumps
What are automated insulin delivery systems?
An automated insulin delivery (AID) system has three main components: an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and an algorithm that determines the best insulin dose to help keep you in range.
AIDs are also known as artificial pancreas or closed-loop systems.
What are insulin pumps?
Insulin pumps are small, wearable devices programmed with individualized settings to deliver insulin into the body at numerous intervals throughout the day and night.
How do automated insulin delivery systems and insulin pumps work?
Automated insulin delivery systems
- Measure blood-glucose levels and adjust insulin delivery automatically
- Give less insulin when blood sugar is low and more insulin when blood sugar is high
- Not completely automated and still require user input for meals and snacks and troubleshooting
- Used in place of multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin
Insulin pumps
- Automatically deliver a small, steady flow of insulin 24 hours a day (basal insulin), and the person wearing the device can deliver additional doses of insulin (called boluses) to cover meals and treat high blood sugar as needed
- Programmed to meet the individual needs of the person using it
- Insulin is delivered through a small cannula that is inserted under the skin with a needle. Common insertion sites on the body include the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, upper arms, and other locations where insulin can be injected.
- Used in place of multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin
What are the potential benefits?
Automated insulin delivery systems
- Requires fewer decisions/calculations because the system does much of it for you
- Fewer highs and lows, especially overnight
- Fewer finger sticks and injections
- Has been shown to improve time-in-range, especially during sleep
Insulin pumps
- Fewer injections
- Makes administering insulin easier (compared with traditional injections)
- Easy to use on-the-go
- Has a built-in dosing calculator
Other things to consider
Automated insulin delivery systems
- Requires wearing two devices at all times
- More alerts and alarms can cause “alarm fatigue” for some
- You still need to practice daily T1D management (carb counting, bolusing, adjusting for exercise, etc.)
Insulin pumps
- Setting it up and getting used to it can take some time
- It needs to be worn all the time
- You still need to practice daily T1D management (carb counting, bolusing, adjusting for exercise, etc.)
Automated insulin delivery systems available in the U.S.*
The following are FDA-approved automated insulin delivery systems available for use in the U.S.
| Device name | More information |
|---|---|
| Beta Bionics iLet | https://www.betabionics.com/ilet-bionic-pancreas |
| Insulet Omnipod® 5 | https://www.omnipod.com/what-is-omnipod/omnipod-5 |
| Medtronic MiniMed™ 630G Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G Medtronic MiniMed™ 780G | https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-630g-insulin-pump-system https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-770g-insulin-pump-system https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-780g-insulin-pump-system |
| Tandem Mobi with Control-IQ Technology | https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/products/tandem-mobi |
| Tandem t:slim X2™ with Basal-IQ/Control-IQ Technology | https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/products/t-slim-x2-insulin-pump/control-iq |
| DIY Tidepool Loop | https://www.tidepool.org/tidepool-loop |
Insulin pumps available in the U.S.*
The following are FDA-approved insulin pumps available for use in the U.S.
| Device name | More information |
|---|---|
| Insulet Omnipod® DASH | https://www.omnipod.com/what-is-omnipod/omnipod-dash |
| Medtronic MiniMed™ 630G Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G | https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-630g-insulin-pump-system https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-770g-insulin-pump-system |
| Tandem t:slim X2™ | https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/products/t-slim-x2-insulin-pump |
More T1D tech
CGMs are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person’s blood-glucose levels. They are used in place of finger sticks.
Smart insulin pens and pen caps are used to track insulin doses for people who take multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin.
Health Insurance Guide
If you think an automated insulin delivery system or insulin pump might be right for you, speak with your healthcare provider. Consult the Breakthrough T1D Health Insurance Guide to learn about insurance coverage for T1D management tools and therapies.
