In the early 1960’s, the notion of providing ongoing insulin delivery first emerged. This idea led to a device called an insulin pump, which could provide a continuous supply of insulin, eliminating the need for daily injections.

As insulin pumps have become smaller and more advanced, their use has become more widespread. Today’s pumps are smaller than a deck of cards and can be hooked to a belt. Unlike earlier models, their batteries last longer and require changing only every month or two.

How it operates
An insulin pump is a small pumping device that you wear outside your body. It contains a syringe reservoir that you fill with insulin. A small, flexible tube connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter that's inserted under the skin of your abdomen. A needle is used to insert the catheter. When the needle is withdrawn the catheter is in place.

The pump disperses the desired amount of insulin through the catheter into the body, based on the information programmed into the microprocessor. Insulin is administered continuously by slow infusion at a rate determined by the doctor. The pump can also be programmed to deliver larger amounts of insulin during meals, based on the amount of food eaten. This increased dose is called a bolus of insulin.