An insulin pump is a computerized device mainly used by people suffering from diabetes. It mimics the functioning of the pancreas, which is an organ that breaks down sugar, fats, and starches into simpler substances. An insulin pump works by delivering small doses of short acting insulin continuously (basal rate). The device is also used to deliver variable amounts of insulin when a meal is consumed (known as bolus insulin).

While the basal insulin rates in the pump are set up by your doctor, you can program the amount of bolus insulin directly on the pump. Most pumps also come with built-in bolus calculators to help you figure out how much insulin you need at mealtime based on your glucose levels and the amount of carbohydrates you are eating.

Omnipod by Insulet
It can be really hard to find a more cost-effective insulin pump than the Insulet Omnipod. It is small, compact, and can be programmed from a few feet away. It is completely watertight as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet. The font size of the text on the screen is large, making it easy to operate by older people as well.

Medtronic MiniMed 630G System
Medtronic is known for manufacturing industry-leading products, and the MiniMed 630G Insulin Pump System is no different.

Animas Vibe Insulin Pump
The Animas Vibe insulin pump is a commonly used product by diabetes patients. It is completely watertight, has a full-color screen, and features large texts to make it easy to read. The device also has a high rate of accurate dosing, which is especially important when you’re administering smaller doses. It runs on batteries, instead of a charger. This device is known to run up to three weeks.