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Who Created the First Insulin Pump?

Insulin pumps use a catheter to deliver insulin into diabetics throughout the day. This allows them to avoid a series of daily injections. The American Diabetes Association says that insulin pumps deliver insulin more accurately than the alternatives.

  1. Function

    • Insulin produced by the pancreas allows blood glucose to be used to make energy for the body. A type 1 diabetic does not produce insulin, necessitating injections of insulin to keep the right blood glucose levels in the body.

    Ideation

    • In 1979, a cardiologist talked to Alfred E. Mann, CEO of Pacesetter systems, about the extensive heart problems that occurred in diabetics from spikes in blood glucose levels over time. This piqued Mann's interest and he set to work designing the first insulin pump.

    Concept

    • The first insulin pump was unveiled at the 1983 American Diabetes convention. Its design was based on chemotherapy machines that were used to treat cancer patients.

    Improvements

    • In 1985, the MiniMed 504 model insulin pump was brought to market which introduced menu-driven programming. Polyfin Infusion Sets followed in 1986, which improved the longevity of the insulin. The Sof-set Infusion Set, which replaced the metal needle with a flexible cannula, was introduced in 1987.

    Implantable Sets

    • The first implantable insulin pump was first used by Dr. Christopher Saudek in a diabetic patient at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

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