The device includes a pump, controls and processing module, batteries, a disposable reservoir for insulin inside the pump, a disposable infusion set, including a cannula for subcutaneous insertion under the skin and a tube.
Samatvam: Endocrinology Diabetes Center, headed by Dr S S Srikanta has been disseminating information on Insulin pumps in the city for the last six years. Dr S S Srikanta, who visited Amsterdam recently to participate in the international conference EASD (European Association of Study In Diabetes), says that the acceptance level of insulin pumps has been rising for the last couple of years through out the world.

Advantages of pump
The use of rapid-acting insulin for basal needs offers relative freedom from a structured meal and exercise regimen previously needed to control blood sugar with slow-acting insulin. Insulin pumps also make it possible to deliver more precise amounts of insulin than can be injected using a syringe.

This supports tighter control over blood sugar and Haemoglobin A1c levels, reducing the chance of long-term complications associated with diabetes. This is predicted to result in a long term cost savings
According to Dr. Sharda, insulin pumps help contribute to reduce the incidence of long-term complications, and  improvements in blood glucose monitoring.

New insulin pumps are becoming "smart" as new features are added to their design. Based on the time and quantity of the last bolus, the pump software keeps track of the insulin remaining in the bloodstream and displays it on the screen. The pump can monitor for activities during specific times of day and then alert the user if an expected activity did not occur.

New pumps interface to personal computers for managing and documenting pumps delivery programs and to upload data from the pump. This simplifies record keeping and can be interfaced with diabetes management software. Scientists are still striving hard to develop real-time control of the blood sugar level by using a mature algorithms to automatically control the insulin delivery based on feedback of the blood glucose level, the doctors said.

India Medtroni Pvt Ltd which supplies Paradigm Real-Time insulin pump in India controls more than 90 per cent market share. Price of refurbished set starts from  Rs 45,000. 

Indian figures
India has the world's largest diabetic population in terms of numbers, with over 32 million people affected. This is expected to more than double by 2025.

In order to cater to the demands of diabetic patients, S S Srikanta started Samatvam: Endocrinology Diabetes Center in the city.  "We have been approaching the disease in a holistic perspective and application of insulin pump has brought a sigh of relief to patients. Children and elders can avail this pump without much difficulty that it can serve as an alternative to insulin syringe or an insulin pen and allows for intensive insulin therapy when used in conjunction with blood glucose monitoring," said Srikanta.

Patients can contact Samatvam's 24 hour insulin pump helpline for information. PH: 9886250002, 9448356575, mail: samatvam@vsnl.com

Free camp
Samatvam is organising a free one day Insulin Pump Seminar to familiarise people with insulin pumps on November 4, 9 am at Jnana Sanjeevini Medical Centre in Bangalore.