Front Desk	Clinical Hours
Mon. 9 am - 4:30 pm EST	Mon. 9 am - 8:30 pm EST
Tues. 9 am - 4:30 pm EST	Tues. 8:15 am - 8 pm EST
Wed. 9 am - 4:30 pm EST	Wed. 8:30 am - 7:15 pm EST
Thurs. 9 am - 4:30 pm EST	Thurs. 9 am - 5 pm EST
Fri. 9 am - 4:30 pm EST	Fri. 9 am - 5 pm EST

Listen to our discussion on the newest insulin pumps

Please listen to Gary Scheiner’s podcast of his personal reviews of insulin pumps

Insulin pumps are NOT commodities. There are differences between systems (some subtle, some obvious) that make certain pumps better options for certain individuals. It is astounding that so many people are given little to no choice when it comes to selecting an insulin pump. Given that pump warranties last longer than the average marriage, it makes sense to invest some time in comparing the various devices before making a selection.

Every member of our clinical team has personal and professional experience with every make and model of insulin pump. We are not employed by any pump company, and we are not easily pressured (although really good chocolate has been known to sway our opinion a bit), so we can offer you fair and impartial information/insight.

Please use our pump comparisons to help make an educated decision. We have listed the positive and negative features that are unique to each pump. Features that are common to all pumps, such as allowing for multiple basal patterns, are not included.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. If you would like some expert input, feel free to contact our office and schedule some time to meet or speak with one of our clinicians. And for assistance applying your pump to achieve the best possible glucose management, please reach out.

Pros & Cons of the Medtronic 770G

Our review

Unique Advantages: Pros
- Large, secure, long-established company
- Industry leader in R & D
- Data from Medtronic Guardian CGM displayed on-screen
- Hybrid closed loop (Automode) basal adjustment based on CGM readings and predictive algorithms
- Bluetooth connectivity with phone app
- Others can view data via sharing app
- High-contrast full-color screen
- Slim attachable clip
- Integrated meter
- Generates insulin/carb/BG statistics
- Approved for ages 2 and up

Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- CGM and Automode require additional finger sticks for calibration and safety checks
- Maintaining Automode requires a higher level of technical acumen and interaction with the pump.
- Frequent system alerts in Automode may become intrusive
- Attached clip is upside-down
- Must pay for loaner/backup pumps
- Screen and text are relatively small
- Insulin-on-board only deducted from correction boluses
- Carelink download program is complex and lacks intuitive reports
- Multiple menus and programming can be complex to master
- No automatic angled infusion set option
- Many button-presses and confirmation steps in basic programming
- Requires multiple training sessions
- Company’s marketing can be overly aggressive

Pros & Cons of the Tandem t:slim X2 w/Control IQ Insulin Pumps

Our Review

Unique Advantages: Pros
- Software/features updatable through download from website
- Built-in algorithm automatically adjusts basal & administers correction boluses based on CGM data trends
- Bright, full-color touch screen
- Modern, high-tech appearance
- Compact, thin dimensions
- Rapid number entry/fastest bolus entry
- 2-Way Bluetooth (X2) allows full integration with multiple devices, including smartphones & CGM
- Displays data from Dexcom CGM
- Charges; No disposable batteries
- Can calculate boluses up to 50 units
- Site-change reminder w/customizable day & time
- Graphic on-screen history display
- Carb counting calculator
- Temp basal up to 250%, 72 hrs
- IOB & time remaining displayed on home screen
- Missed bolus reminders customizable by day of the week
- Alert for high temperatures
- Secondary “profiles” for unique basal and bolus dosing
- Limited unintended insulin movement with changes in pump position

Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- Small buttons can be difficult to activate; screen goes blank if buttons missed 3x
- Unlock procedure required to perform any programming
- No attached 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 extra steps to edit
- Extra confirmation steps with all programming
- Weak vibrate mechanism
- No meter link
- Requires charging 1-2x/week
- Lengthy tube priming procedure

Pros & Cons of the Insulet OmniPod Dash Insulin Pump

Our Review

Unique Advantages: Pros
- Reduced up-front costs
- Can program through clothing from a few feet away
- Discrete pump size
- No tubing (minimizes wasted insulin, no tangling/snagging, less awkward, no siphon effects)
- No disconnecting/reconnecting means no missed/lost insulin
- Simple, automated cannula insertion (minimizes discomfort, reduces “human errors”, creates more site options)
- Forced pod change reduces chances of lipodystrophy & absorption problems
- Pump is fully watertight
- Temp basals and boluses can be customized/preset
- Links w/integrated meter via Bluetooth
- Large color screen w/text and graphing capability
- Only 2 parts; simple for travel

Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- No integrated CGM
- Cannot enter boluses or make setting changes without programmer
- Programmer must be charged daily
- “Unlock” required when using programmer
- Only one cannula orientation/length
- Max reservoir volume 200u; minimum fill amount 80u
- Pod stops working after 72 hours (plus grace period)
- Handheld will not calculate bolus if BG < 50
- Dislodged/clogged cannula or pod error requires complete pod replacement
- Pod does not have vibrate option
- IOB not displayed in bolus calculation
- Must suspend when changing basal settings
- Temp basal limited to 12 hours max.
- Not covered by all third-party payors
- Loss (or malfunction) of programmer renders pod non-programmable (delivers basal only)

Pros & Cons of the Freestyle Libre2 14 Day Continuous Glucose Monitor

Unique Advantages: Pros
- - No calibration needed
  - Sensor life 14 days (longest disposable sensor duration available)
  - Easy to grip inserter
  - Low profile transmitter
  - Lowest cash pay cost
  - 1-hour warm up (shortest)
  - Reading updated every 60 seconds, recorded to memory every 15 minutes,
  - Sensor stores up to 8 hours of data if not scanned.
  - Reader and app accept notes to track info such as carbs, meal/snack type, insulin, exercise, comments, medications
  - App allows for adds/edits to logbook info at any time
  - Reader only requires a charge every 4 days, or it can be charged briefly every day
  - Medicare approved
  - Data upload software available
  - Glucometer built into reader
  - New! Easy to set up, easy to use Freestyle Libre 2 phone app now available for iPhones.
  - Phone app has real-time alerts for lows and highs that prompts you to scan to see the glucose value.
  - Phone app can link to healthcare provider team with LibreView and/or link to up to 20 people using the LibreLinkUp app
  - Easy to log info real-time, or add logbook details later and adjust the date/time of the entry.

Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- - Need to carry reader if app is not compatible with your phone
  - Must scan sensor and wait a moment to get data
  - Tends to ‘exaggerate’ lows & alerts for lows when not low
  - Calibration not available to improve accuracy
  - Can only add/edit notes within 15 minutes of real-time on Reader
  - It takes 3 hours to fully charge a low battery Reader
  - >500 mg daily of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) may falsely raise Sensor glucose readings
  - Transmitter adhesive may not last 14 days
  - Need to use enough “force” to push the inserter device to deploy the sensor from the inserter into the body.
  - Aside from a momentary display after scanning to get a glucose result, the phone app only displays in 24 hour graph format which visually causes a more variable-appearing glucose graph than if it were displayed in a 3, 6, or 12 hour view.
  - Still comes with a fine print warning of: https://provider.myfreestyle.com/freestyle-libre-2-accuracy.html IMPORTANT: The device may inaccurately indicate hypoglycemia. The results of the clinical study conducted for this device showed that 40% of the time when the device indicated that user sensor glucose values were at or below 60 mg/dL, user glucose values were actually in the range of 81-160 mg/dL. Therefore, interpretation of the FreeStyle Libre Pro Flash Glucose Monitoring System readings should only be based on the trends and patterns analyzed through time using the reports available per the intended use.
  - A warning related to charging the Reader states: Surface temperature of Reader and power adapter could be as high as 120?F while charging. Do not hold the Reader or power adapter for more than 5 minutes while charging.