Tandem t:slim X2

2016 Insulin Pump Comparisons

accu_chek_combo_prod MiniMed530G with sensor tslim-g4-insulin-pump-straightinsulet-new-omnipod_largeAnimas-Vibe

Click to go to comparison page:
Tandem t-Slim/t-Flex/t-slim
G4Roche Accu-Chek Combo
Insulet
Insulet OmniPod
Medtronic 530G With Enlite
Animas Vibe
Pump System Features in Common:

  • 24-hour toll-free helpline
  • Internal safety checks
  • Child button lock-out
  • Full Training Included
  • Simplified programming
  • Extended bolus options
  • Temporary basal rate options
  • Programmable reminders
  • Downloadable
  • Low battery warning
  • Low insulin warning
  • User-set active insulin time

Tandem t-slim X2 insulin pumpTandem
t:slim, t:slim G4 & t:flex

tslim-g4-insulin-pump-straight
Unique AdvantagesPotential Drawbacks
  • Bright, full-color touch screen
  • Modern, high-tech appearance
  • Compact, thin dimensions
  • Rapid numeric entry, fastest bolus entry
  • Cartridges hold 300u (t:slim); 480u (t:flex)
  • Can calculate boluses up to 50 units (60 on t:flex)
  • Site-change reminder w/customizable day & time
  • Graphic on-screen history display
  • Carb counting calculator
  • Temp basal up to 250%, 72 hrs
  • Can set duration of insulin action in 1-minute increments
  • IOB & time remaining displayed on home screen
  • Missed bolus reminders customizable by day of week
  • Alert for high temperatures which may spoil insulin
  • Secondary basal programs linked with secondary bolus calculation parameters
  • Web-based download software
  • Compatible w/leur-lock infusion sets
  • Minimal insulin movement with changes in altitude
  • Small buttons can be difficult to activate; screen goes blank if buttons missed 3x
  • Unlock procedure required to perform any programming
  • No integrated clip (must put in a case that has a clip)
  • Tubing connector looks “medical,” can snag on clothing
  • Basal & bolus settings in same time slots; may take several steps to edit
  • Extra confirmation steps with all programming
  • Weak vibrate mechanism
  • No meter link
  • Manufacturer relatively new in pump industry
  • Requires charging 1-2x/week
  • No formal in-warranty upgrade policy

Roche
Accu-Chek Combo

accu_chek_combo_prod
Unique AdvantagesPotential Drawbacks
  • Full pump programming via linked meter/remote via Bluetooth communication
  • Boluses can be adjusted in percentages for events such as exercise, stress, illness
  • Bright, full-color meter screen
  • History displayed as graphic reports on meter screen
  • Smart scrolling speeds
  • Intelligent IOB adjustment based on expected effect of bolus insulin
  • Choice of 3 programming modes based on user’s level of sophistication
  • Can use alkaline, lithium or rechargeable batteries
  • Basal increments of .01u/hr*
  • Holds 315u insulin
  • Sensitive occlusion detection
  • Site change reminder at 48 or 72 hour
  • Must use linked meter to perform bolus calculations
  • Can only link 1 meter per pump
  • Minimum basal rate .05u/hr*
  • Must check BG on linked meter for bolus calculations (cannot enter BG manually)
  • Must program 24 hourly basal segments
  • Must enter cartridge fill amt. manually
  • Alarms at conclusion of temp basal
  • Need computer/software to change certain temp basal parameters
  • All bolus calculation settings in same time slots; can be complex to set up
  • Limit of 8 time slots for bolus settings
  • Pump is somewhat bulky
  • No integrated clip; must use a case
  • Cartridges can be difficult to fill without bubbles
  • Must stop pump to change cartridge

Insulet
OmniPod

 insulet-new-omnipod_large
Unique AdvantagesPotential Drawbacks
  • Reduced up-front costs
  • Can program through clothing from a few feet away
  • Discrete pump size (compared to other pumps)
  • No tubing (minimizes wasted insulin, no tangling/snagging, less awkward, no air pockets, no siphoning effects)
  • No disconnecting/reconnecting means no missed/lost insulin
  • Simple, automated canula insertion minimizes pain, reduces “human errors”, creates more site options
  • Forced pod change reduces chances for lipodystrophy & absorption problems
  • Pump is fully watertight
  • Temp basals and boluses can be customized/preset
  • Freestyle meter built into handheld programmer
  • Can customize programming text without PC linkup
  • Large color screen w/full-sentence text and graphing capability
  • Only 2 parts; convenient for travel
  • Somewhat bulky programmer
  • Pod creates a “bulge” on the skin
  • Cannot enter boluses or make setting changes without programmer
  • Cannot do programming or editing while bolus is delivering
  • Only one canula orientation/length; may not work for all body types
  • Max reservoir volume 200u; minimum fill amount 85u
  • Pod stops working after 72 hours (plus grace period)
  • Handheld will not calculate bolus if BG < 50
  • Dislodged/clogged canula requires complete pod replacement
  • “Disconnection” requires complete pod replacement
  • Pod does not have vibrate option
  • Must suspend when changing basal settings
  • Temp basal limited to 12 hours max
  • Not covered by all 3rd party payors
  • Insulin-to-carb ratios in whole-numbers increments only
  • Loss (or malfunction) of remote/PDM renders pod non-programmable (delivers basal only)

Medtronic 530G with Enlite

MiniMed530G with sensor
Unique AdvantagesPotential Drawbacks
  • Large, secure, long-established company
  • Industry leader in R & D
  • Pump comes with integrated Enlite CGM system; data displayed on pump screen
  • Automatic basal shutoff when low glucose detected by sensor (may help prevent severe hypos)
  • Optional “Connect” feature for sharing CGM data with smartphones (pending)
  • Quick/simple bolus programming
  • Slim/streamlined attachable clip
  • Optional remote control (@ addl. cost)
  • Accepts radio communication from multiple blood glucose meters
  • Easily downloadable to online Carelink program
  • Can set I:C ratios in .1g increments
  • Generates insulin/carb/BG statistics
  • Not water-tight
  • Must purchase Enlite CGM system along with pump
  • Low-contrast LCD screen
  • Must use proprietary infusion set tubing
  • Must purchase CGM system along with the pump
  • Slow bolus delivery
  • No food database
  • Must pay for loaner/backup pumps
  • Customer service may not be prompt or friendly
  • Holds 180 units; 300-unit version is slightly larger
  • Insulin-on-board only deducted from correction boluses
  • Duration of action set in whole-hour increments
  • CGM system accuracy, longevity, transmission range, ease of use considered inferior to competitors
  • CGM & pump alerts may not be loud enough for some to hear
  • Data from pump/CGM not downloadable to any program other than Carelink & Carelink Pro

Animas
Vibe

Animas-Vibe
Unique AdvantagesPotential Drawbacks
  • Displays data from Dexcom G4 CGM
  • 35-Unit maximum bolus
  • Fully water-tight
  • Very bright, full-color screen; easy to read
  • Superior dosing accuracy (esp. at small doses)
  • AA Lithium battery lasts 6-8 weeks
  • User-defined timeout setting
  • User-defined occlusion sensitivity
  • User-defined bolus delivery rate
  • Customizable tune for alerts
  • Cartridges very easy to fill without air bubbles
  • Pump and CGM data downloadable to Diasend web-based software
  • Strong integrated metal clip
  • Does not link with blood glucose meter
  • Utilized older-generation Dexcom data algorithm
  • Battery change requires re-priming
  • Insulin-to-carb ratios in whole-number increments only
  • Cannot see cartridge inside pump
  • Extra button presses required with most standard programming
  • No data averages or statistics generated on pump screen
  • Cannot recall blood glucose or carb history on pump screen
  • Insulin On-Board is not subtracted uniformly from boluses
  • 200-Unit cartridge limit
  • Cursor (scroll) speed difficult to master
  • Bolus delivery may be too rapid for those taking large doses

Copyright Integrated Diabetes Services 2015. Data current as of January/1/2016.