Insulin Pumps: A History of Innovation for Diabetes Management

Imagine planning your day around insulin injections. Thousands of Americans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes do just that, but medical inventions are allowing greater flexibility in their routines. One such invention is the insulin pump.

History

• The first insulin pumps appeared in the 1970s. They were about the size of a microwave oven and delivered insulin to the bloodstream every 5 minutes.

Significance

• People with diabetes require as many as four insulin injections daily. With the invention of the insulin pump, however, injections are no longer necessary.

Function

• Twenty-four hours a day, these pumps deliver insulin beneath the fatty tissues in your skin. The insulin, in turn, helps your body use and store a sugar called glucose.

Considerations

• Insulin pumps can improve your quality of life significantly. However, they come with a hefty price tag, and you'll need specialized training in how to use them.

Fun Fact

• The inventor of the ambulatory infusion pump, an insulin pump you can carry anywhere, belongs to the National Invention Hall of Fame. His name is Dean Kamen.