In order to choose the insulin pump that fits best to your needs, you need to know your therapy requirements – and which insulin pump covers this best. There is no such thing as 'the best insulin pump for all pump users'. The choice will always be based on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.

An insulin pump ensures a continuous supply of insulin and thus mimics the body's natural delivery. How much is needed per hour varies from person to person and is therefore individually adjustable. The purpose of an insulin pump is a better control of your blood glucose level.

Regular insulin pumps (conventional pump)

A regular insulin pump is an insulin pump that is connected to the body through an infusion set (a tube). This infusion set needs to be replaced normally every 2 to 3 days. The insulin is stored in cartridges that are inserted into the pump. For most models, users need to fill the cartridges themselves. The mylife YpsoPump offers ready-to-use pre-filled insulin cartridges or you can fill your preferred insulin into the pump cartridge yourself.

Regular insulin pumps come in various sizes. The same applies to the length of the tubes and cannulas (needles of steel or flexible plastic) of the infusion sets. After all, it is important that you can carry the pump comfortably.

mylife YpsoPump

The mylife YpsoPump is a regular insulin pump. The planned innovations within the mylife Loop Program1 will allow you to deliver a remote bolus via the mylife App on your phone and to use the mylife YpsoPump insulin pump in a closed loop system. In addition, the mylife App can be paired with a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System. You will then have all the data of the insulin pump and sensor at your disposal in the mylife App.

Patch pumps

A patch pump is an insulin pump that attaches directly to the skin — for example, on the abdomen, arm or buttock. It delivers insulin across a cannula at the back of the pump. The pump has to be replaced periodically, which makes it unsuitable for people who require a high amount of insulin (e.g. more than 200 units every three days).

As with regular (conventional) pumps, you have to set the amount of basal insulin to be delivered as a basal profile on a patch pump. A patch pump sticks to the skin and cannot be disconnected while in use. Therefore, there is no need of an infusion tube, but this advantage comes with the downside that the pump itself needs to be carried on the skin all the time. Depending on the patch pump, it is operated by remote control, which you should always carry with you.

How do I choose an insulin pump?

How to choose the best option for your specific situation? You can make the right choice more easily, by considering the following:

  • Do I prefer a conventional pump or a patch pump?
  • How important is the size and weight of the insulin pump? Remember that you will wear the pump 24 hours a day.
  • Would you like to work with ready to use, pre-filled insulin cartridges or do you accept the need of filling the cartridges with insulin yourself?
  • How important is ease of operation to you?
  • To what extent is the bolus calculator suitable for entering a blood glucose value measured with a Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM), Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensor or blood glucose meter?
  • Would you like to have the bolus calculator with your therapy data as an app on your phone?
  • Would you like to be able to administer a bolus via an app on your phone, without having to pick up your pump?
  • How important is it that the pump can be paired with a CGM or FGM sensor?

Ordering an insulin pump

Do you already have a preference for a certain pump? Then we recommend you to talk to your healthcare professional. They will assess if your preferred pump actually suits your needs. After that, you and your healthcare professional can start ordering the pump and set it up to your individual requirements.

Process of choosing and ordering the insulin pump (depending on country and healthcare system):

  1. Does the pump you want fit your needs?
  2. Discuss the choice with the health care professional.
  3. Make the choice.
  4. Your healthcare professional will make an authorisation request.
  5. Your new pump will be delivered after approval of the health insurance company.
  6. The manufacturer will provide instructions on use and maintenance.
  7. Learn together with your healthcare professional, how to set up your pump to your individual requirements.
  8. The medical specialist will arrange for an initial delivery of consumables.

1 mylife Loop Program: The innovation described is currently in development. Features and performances of future technologies may vary. Access to future technologies is contingent upon regulatory approval.