Best Insulin Pump for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin administration via an Insulin pump is the best and gold-standard treatment for Type 1 Diabetes patients.

An insulin pump is a compact device that delivers brief insulin injections via a tube and needle. The tube is replaced and the pump is moved to a different location on your body every two to three days [Ref].

Some insulin pumps attach directly to the skin rather than tubes and needles. The best insulin pump for type 1 diabetes can help you maintain blood sugar levels within your desired range.

Insulin pump therapy has the potential to improve glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. It may reduce the risk of both short-term complications like severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis as well as long-term complications [Ref].

Additionally, you will still require a backup diabetes kit so you can administer insulin injections if necessary.

Best Insulin Pump for Type 1 Diabetes:

Some of the best insulin pumps for type 1 diabetes that are most frequently used nowadays are listed below:

Medtronic MiniMed 630G System

For an integrated CGM

Being the first “hybrid closed loop system” with automatic glucose monitoring and basal insulin dose adjustment, Minimed 670G received FDA approval in 2016 and is now available to type 1 Diabetics aged 14 and older (T1D) [Ref].

The 670G automatically adjusts basal insulin to keep users as close as possible to the fixed target blood sugar level of 120 mg/dL, while monitoring glucose using Medtronic’s Guardian 3 CGM.

It can predictably warn users when their blood sugar levels are about to fall, and if the user drops below a threshold. It can adjust insulin or turn off background insulin.

Because it does not completely take over glucose control as would be expected from a full artificial pancreas, it was dubbed a “hybrid” closed loop upon launch.

A person can monitor their blood sugar levels with the same device thanks to the optional CGM that is included in this model from Medtronic.

Additionally, the Contour Next Link 2.4 blood glucose meter is compatible with it [Ref]. According to Medtronic, using this system increases a person’s chances of achieving their target A1C level. A1C is their average blood glucose level over a timespan of about 3 months, by a factor of four.

Other notable qualities are:

• A bolus calculator that computes doses automatically and notifies a user if they are spaced too closely.
• Anticipatory warnings.
• Defense against water.
• A color display with brightness controls.
• Available custom skins [ref].

Some of the features mentioned above demand CGM. The tubing needs to be changed every two to three days.

Medtronic MiniMed 770G System

For a workout environment

Medtronic introduced the 770G in 2020. This newer model, which has the same form factor as the 670G, has Bluetooth connectivity added so that it can use smartphone apps.

The SmartGuard technology found in the MiniMed 770G System allows for the automatic adjustment of basal insulin delivery based on continuous glucose monitoring.

Significantly, this system has FDA approval for adults and children as young as 2 years old from the beginning.

Other characteristics include:

• Compatibility with the Carelink Connect app enables access to information for friends, family, and caregivers.
• A setting for exercise that automatically modifies a person’s glucose goal
• To assist someone in staying on track, background insulin is automatically adjusted every 5 minutes.
• Water repellent [Ref]

Tandem T: Slim X2 

For a thin design

The X2 is the most recent version of Tandem Diabetes Care’s iconic touchscreen insulin pump. It was first unveiled in 2012.

The FDA cleared the X2 in 2016 and it has built-in Bluetooth connectivity [Ref]. The following year, it was put on the market for sale.

Tandem’s t: slim X2 is a conventional tubed insulin pump, which means that it administers insulin through a long plastic tube connected to the body by an infusion set.

The color touchscreen display and unique insulin cartridge design set it apart from rival products. Tandem’s cartridge uses an insulin bag as opposed to the majority of other tubed pumps’ clear, hard-case reservoirs.

Another distinctive feature of the t: slim X2 is its ability to be remotely updated from home, a first for diabetes pumps.

Moreover, This means that users can update the features of the pump without having to purchase an entirely new expensive piece of hardware by simply plugging the device into a computer and visiting Tandem’s updater website.

The most recent versions of this pump have more closed-loop capabilities, such as Basal-IQ, however, the automatic insulin shutoff feature that was introduced in 2018, or Control-IQ launched in 2020, a more sophisticated algorithm that automatically modifies insulin delivery to counteract high blood sugars [Ref].

Although Tandem has agreements for future integration with other CGMs, such as the Abbott FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor, this pump only currently functions with the Dexcom CGM.

The T: slim X2 has the following additional features:

• Insulin storage for 300 units
• Two predictive technologies are available for use when someone uses it with the CGM.
• Alters insulin administration to prevent highs and lows.
• A person can view their history of glucose and insulin.
• Delivered automatic correction boluses.
• Waterproof

Omnipod Dash

Regarding a tubeless device

The Omnipod 5 system, which received initial FDA clearance at the beginning of the year, was officially launched in the United States in early August 2022 for users 6 years of age and older.

This represents the entry of Boston-based Insulet Corp. into the world of automated insulin delivery (AID). This is the best insulin pump for type 1 diabetes because of a tubeless device.

Through a tubeless, waterproof insulin pump, the Omnipod delivers continuous insulin delivery without the need for multiple daily injections.

Utilize these cutting-edge features to get 3 days (up to 72 hours) of uninterrupted insulin delivery and freedom.

To automate insulin delivery, the new system combines the diminutive white Omnipod patch pump with the Dexcom G6 CGM and a controller algorithm.

The two main components of Pod Therapy which is an alternative to conventional insulin pumps are the tubeless Pod and the PDM.

Portable Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) is kept close by and is used to wirelessly schedule insulin delivery. No tubes, tangles, or multiple daily injections to slow you down [Ref].

This device has wearable, tubeless, waterproof features that Omnipod users adore, plus much more.

• Following your personalized target, SmartAdjustTM technology automatically adjusts insulin every 5 minutes to prevent highs and lows throughout the day and night.
• When the activity feature is activated, less insulin is delivered when blood glucose levels are typically low, such as during exercise.
• The only AID system with a built-in bolus calculator is SmartBolus, which takes care of it for you by automatically incorporating your CGM data and trend.

For meals, you will still need to bolus. This is accomplished with Omnipod 5 using the Controller or Omnipod 5 App [ref].