What Is An Insulin Pump And How Does It Work?

HealthPrep Staff

Pump Patch Parts

Photo Credit: ContinuumInnovation

A pump patch contains three main sections including an insulin reservoir or container, a pumping mechanism, and a cannula, or a tube. Unlike traditional pumps, pump patches are confined to one case without tubing and are worn directly on the body. They are attached with a self-adhesive, and the tubes are automatically inserted into the skin by using a remote device to activate the programming. Patch pumps need to be replaced every three days.

Keep reading to find out how to safely disconnect the device now.

How To Safely Disconnect

Photo Credit: Waterpik

Disconnecting an insulin pump might be necessary for some instances, such as showering. Keep in mind that the pump will not administer insulin when it is disconnected. Never disconnect a pump for more than two hours as this may lead to a condition known as diabetes ketoacidosis in which there is an abnormal amount of ketones in the blood. Ketones are produced when the body does not create enough insulin and uses fat as fuel. Elevated ketone levels in diabetic patients may require immediate attention.

BACK

(5 of 6)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

Pump Patch Parts

How To Safely Disconnect

MORE FROM HealthPrep