A new miniature, open-loop, extracorporeal insulin infusion pump

Abstract

This extracorporeal insulin infuser has been designed to be compact, simple to operate, and suitable either for clinical investigations of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or for long term treatment of the condition. A syringe driver of unconventional design is used, and the syringe will be available prefilled with insulin, specially formulated at standard strength for long term infusion. The device is electronically controlled to give variable rates of basal infusion, preset by switch and supplemented by bolus infusions demanded by pushbutton prior to meals. Sufficient insulin is carried in the syringe to meet the needs of most diabetics for at least a week without refilling, and the battery life is commensurately long. Signalling of the mealtime dose regime, and of alarm and failure conditions is by audible means. Insulin will most commonly be delivered subcutaneously, though other routes are possible.