Switching from an Animas Pump—Know Your Options
Sad to hear that Animas is closing? Please keep in mind that you still have the power of patient choice! Though Animas chose Medtronic as their partner of choice, nobody is obligated to use a Medtronic pump unless desired. For Animas customers who qualify, the Medtronic 630g will be offered at no charge. For most Animas customers, your Animas supplies and warranty will still be honored until September 2019. Other pump companies may have programs to get you on a new pump before your warranty expires if you desire. Please contact Animas if you have questions regarding the transition process and your local insulin pump reps regarding interest in upgrading to a new pump in the future. Here are the insulin pumps available on the market in the United States and their defining features to help you choose the best fit for you or your loved one.
Medtronic 530g
Important to know
- Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is not FDA approved for correction dosing (uses older Medtronic CGM)
Unique features
- Predictive low blood glucose (BG) alerts
- Suspend at low BG threshold feature
- Mobile CGM monitoring with Mini-med connect device
- Remote control for boluses from Contour Next Link meter
Medtronic 630g
Important to know
- Predictive low BG alerts
- Suspend at low BG threshold feature
- No “share feature” for CGM or mobile view for CGM data
- CGM is not FDA approved for correction dosing (uses older Medtronic CGM)
- Battery lasts about one week
Unique features
- Better fit for all ages than the 670g
- No minimum basal insulin requirement
- Remote control for boluses from Contour Next Link meter
- Waterproof
- Color screen
Medtronic 670g
Important to know
- Predictive low BG alerts (manual mode)
- Suspend at low BG threshold feature (manual mode)
- Remote control for boluses from Contour Next Link meter (manual mode)
- Not to be used in children under 7 years of age
- Need to be on a minimum of eight units basal a day
- No “share feature” or mobile view for CGM data
- You can set a temp target of 150 for 30 minutes to 12 hours, (the default is 2 hours)
- Battery lasts about one week
Important to know about auto-mode
- Does not have to be used in auto-mode
- Remote bolus feature only works in manual-mode
- Cannot set temporary basals on auto-mode
- Can set temporary BG target of 150 for up to two hours (keep in mind if you are an endurance athlete)
- 120 BG target cannot be lowered (keep in mind if you have tight control)
- Auto-mode does not administer meal boluses automatically
- Auto-mode does not allow dual wave (or extended) boluses
- Auto-mode may kick you out! For example: Manual-mode will kick in if ignoring a calibration request after two hours and a half
- No bolus overrides/high BG corrections in auto-mode
Unique Features
- Auto-mode automatic basal rate adjustment
- BGs typically in range when in auto mode
- Waterproof
- Color screen
Omnipod (Insulet)
Important to know
- No integrated CGM (yet)
- Basal rate starts at .05 units per hour
- Can still use Dexcom separately in addition to pump and upload all data together with software such as Glooko
Unique Features
- PDM remotely controls insulin pump pod
- Freestyle BG meter is incorporated into the personal diabetes manager (PDM) device
- Tubeless
- Pod is waterproof
Rumor has it: When the updated PDM is released (due sometime within the next year), the upgrade will be free of charge to Omnipod users.
T:slim x2 (Tandem)
Important to know
- Apidra is not approved with this device, users who have used it off label report many occlusion alarms
- Minimum basal rate of .1 units per hour
- Basal rates can alternate between .1 units per hour and 0 units per hour for those on less than .1 units per hour basal rate
Unique Features
- Dexcom G5
- Firmware updates via device updater, allows you to plug pump into the computer once you receive an upgrade email and upgrade device from home. (The next step is to release the low suspend feature.)
- Smallest insulin pump
- Touch screen
- Rechargeable battery (lasts one week without CGM, about five days with CGM at full charge)
T:slim T-Flex (Tandem)
Important to know
- Apidra is not approved with this device, users who have used it off label report many occlusion alarms
- Can still use Dexcom separately in addition to pump and upload all data together with software such as Diasend
Unique Features
- Holds more insulin than any other pump (480-unit capacity)
- Second smallest insulin pump (to the Tandem that holds less insulin)
- Touch screen
- Rechargeable battery (lasts one week at full charge)
Pump Feature Comparison Chart
Read more on the Animas Pump Discontinued.
