The working principle of the insulin pump

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An insulin pump consists of an electronic control board operated by a microcomputer, a screw driven by a micromotor, an insulin reservoir, a battery, and an infusion catheter system. The electronic display holds information such as the clock (with time precision to year, month, day, hour, and minute), the basal insulin dose to be administered per hour, the insulin dose to be given with meals, the remaining amount of insulin in the cartridge, the basal rate of insulin that has been delivered to the body and will be delivered, the additional dose for meals that has been administered, and the additional dose to be delivered before meals. The electronic display panel of the insulin pump also contains software such as an automatic safety check function, an automatic alarm function in case of abnormal insulin infusion, and an automatic display function for battery power levels; it serves as the control center of the insulin pump. The micro motor is the power component of the insulin pump; it drives a screw-shaped push rod, which in turn moves the rubber piston behind the medication reservoir in a precise and incremental manner, thereby delivering insulin into the body accurately. The catheter system consists of a needle and a special catheter; it connects the insulin pump, the medication reservoir, and the human body. After the needle is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, it is fixed to the skin with adhesive tape, usually positioned on the anterolateral side of the abdominal wall. 　　An insulin pump is a device for administering insulin; it is a small, precision instrument that is operated by the patient themselves (usually under the guidance of a doctor), who sets individualized basal infusion rates and pre-meal dose infusion programs based on fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Once activated, it delivers insulin automatically. At present, none of the insulin pumps are capable of automatically detecting the blood sugar level in the user’s body, nor can they automatically bring it back to normal levels. Patients must continuously monitor their blood sugar levels in order to adjust the dose of insulin delivered by the pump, thereby normalizing their blood sugar levels. Current insulin pumps are not yet fully automatic “artificial pancreases”. Therefore, users need to monitor their blood sugar levels multiple times, using their trained minds to control the insulin pump, in order to achieve almost normal blood sugar levels without experiencing hypoglycemia. For more information, please visit the China Pump Industry Network.