Insulin pumps are wearable devices that people with diabetes use to deliver insulin. They are connected to a spot on your body and continuously give insulin for 2 to 4 days.
An insulin pump is a small, wearable device that delivers insulin into your body.
This diabetes technology is an alternative to frequent insulin injections, and some pumps can communicate with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track blood sugar levels and automatically adjust insulin dosages.
An insulin pump is intended to imitate the functions of a human pancreas.
Your pancreas releases insulin in response to changes in your blood sugar level. But when you have diabetes, your body doesn’t release insulin or use it properly. As a result, you have to find another way to get the insulin you need.
Insulin pumps work by delivering a programmed amount of insulin through a small tube called a cannula, inserted just under the top layer of your skin. Your doctor will work with you to determine how much insulin you need each day.
Insulin pumps can also deliver an insulin bolus, which is an extra dose of insulin in addition to your basal rate.
Some pumps may automatically give you boluses based on your higher blood sugar or carbs, but most allow you to enter a manual bolus for the pump to deliver when needed.
Historically, insulin pumps were completely manual devices that you had to program for any insulin. In more recent years, advanced technology now available allows for algorithms to calculate and automatically deliver if you use the device with a connected CGM.
A 2019 review estimated that around 350,000 people in the United States use insulin pumps. About 90% of insulin pump users have type 1 diabetes, and the remaining 10% have type 2 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin and must inject it to survive.
An insulin pump is usually about the size of a deck of cards, although the size can vary depending on the model. You wear the pump on your body.
The pump usually consists of:
- a display screen
- a place for an insulin cartridge or reservoir
- a thin cannula that inserts under your skin
You can insert the cannula in various places on your body. Some of the most common places include your arm, stomach, thigh, leg, or buttocks.
The cannula acts as the go-between the pump and your skin. You insert the cannula with a small needle that goes under the top subcutaneous tissue and it’s then withdrawn, leaving only the small cannula tube in your body.
You place the little end of the cannula in the subcutaneous tissue below your skin. You’ll usually cover this end with a small, clear, or flesh-colored bandage so it stays in place and doesn’t become dislodged.
Besides the traditional tubed pumps, an
Innovations in pump technology mean that some pumps have extra features, such as:
- automatic adjustments of insulin basals and boluses, based on various factors including CGM data
- touchscreens
- waterproofing, to a certain depth
- Blutooth connectivity and smartphone app use
The right pump for you depends on what type of diabetes you have, your insurance status, and your age.
Insulin pump availability can vary depending on various factors. Also, insulin pump manufacturers may introduce new pumps or enhanced models and phase out older models.
Different insulin pumps
These are the currently available insulin pumps available in the United States in 2025.
- Medtronic. Minnesota-based Medtronic offers two versions of its namesake Minimed pump:
- the Minimed 780G, a tubed pump approved for type 1 diabetes for people ages 7 and older. While it’s not yet cleared for people with type 2 diabetes, Medtronic has requested this and is awaiting clearance from the FDA.
- the Minimed 770G is an older version of the pump approved for adults and children with type 1 who are 2 years and older.
- Omnipod. Made by Boston-based Insulet, the Omnipod 5 is a tubeless patch pump that provides 3 days of nonstop insulin management. Children and adults can use the Omnipod for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- Tandem. This California-based company makes 2 insulin pumps:
- the t:slim X2 is a touchscreen tubed pump approved for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and children with T1D who are 6 and older.
- the Mobi is a hybrid patch pump that both adheres to your skin like an Omnipod but also has a mini-tube and induction set; it has no display screen and connects to a smartphone app.
Each insulin pump is different in how it exactly it works and the various features it includes.
They all have the ability to communicate with CGM technology as part of a pump-CGM system, using different sensor systems, mobile apps, and algorithms to help you manage diabetes.
Some pumps may be recommended for certain ages or types of diabetes. It’s important to talk with your doctor about choosing a pump. This can ensure your pump of choice is the right option for you, your insulin needs, and your lifestyle.
Benefits
- You don’t need to give yourself multiple daily injections (MDI) every day.
- Can administer insulin boluses multiple times a day.
- Allows for more precise insulin doses compared to an insulin pen.
- Some pumps communicate with CGMs, which track glucose levels and allow for automatic insulin adjustments based on your blood sugar reading.
- An insulin pump may allow for a more flexible lifestyle compared to MDI.
Drawbacks
- Learning how to use an insulin pump properly can require training and practice. For this reason, it may not be the best option for everyone.
- Pumps may be more expensive than daily insulin injections, ranging from the main pump to the monthly supplies needed to use the device.
- You need to have a backup method in case the pump malfunctions.
- It can be awkward to wear depending on your insulin pump type.
- With multiple parts, a pump can make it more difficult to pinpoint issues if it malfunctions or you aren’t getting enough insulin and have higher blood sugars.
Both insulin pumps and daily injections effectively manage blood sugar levels.
The choice is personal. Your healthcare team can help guide you in determining which options may best suit your individual diabetes management plan.
It’s very important that you spend time with a diabetes educator or your doctor to learn how to use your insulin pump properly.
Before you start using an insulin pump, it’s important that you know how to:
- attach the infusion set to your body
- change the insulin in your pump
- troubleshoot problems with your device
- change the infusion set
- manage the different features that the pump has
Most pumps contain a bolus dose calculator. This helps you calculate how much extra insulin you may need based on your daily carbohydrate intake.
Some pumps also offer an “extended bolus” option. This allows you to administer the dose over 2 to 8 hours. This option can help prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
You should change the infusion site of your pump
An insulin pump is an alternative to giving yourself multiple daily insulin injections. These small wearable devices can be used by both children and adults who may have any type of diabetes requiring insulin.
Some insulin pumps are connected to your body by a thin tube that delivers insulin under your skin, while others are like a patch that delivers insulin through your skin.
Your diabetes care team can help you understand how insulin pumps work and what may be the best option for you and your personal care plan.