Insulin Injection Devices

There are many different devices available to inject insulin. It includes:

• Insulin syringes
• Insulin delivery pens
• Insulin pumps

Insulin syringes:

• Insulin syringes are to be used with 10ml insulin vials
• Syringes are manufactured in 30 unit (0.3ml), 50 unit (0.5ml) and 100 unit (1.0ml) measures. Its size will depend on the insulin dose, for example, it is easier to measure a 10 unit dose in a 30 unit syringe, and 55 units in a 100 unit syringe
• Needles of the syringes are available in different lengths ranging from 8mm to 13mm. You will be informed by your doctor for its selection
• Use each syringe only once.

Insulin pen:

• ‘Pen’ is available in all shapes and sizes. An insulin cartridge (3ml, containing 300 units of insulin) fits into the device. When finished, a new cartridge is inserted. However, some pen devices are pre-filled with insulin and the whole device is disposable
• Durable pen available are NovoPen 3, NovoPen Demi, Innovo and HumaPen
• Pre-filled disposable devices include Innolet, FlexPen and Novolet

Insulin pumps:

• The insulin pump is a device that holds a reservoir of insulin. The pump is programmed to deliver insulin into the body through thin plastic tubing known as the infusion set
• The pump is worn outside the body, in a pouch or on your belt. The infusion set has a fine needle or flexible cannula that is inserted just below the skin (usually on the abdomen) where it stays in place for two to three days
• Only short or rapid acting insulin can be used in the pump. Whenever food is eaten, the pump is programmed to deliver a surge of insulin into the body similar to the way the pancreas does in people without diabetes. Between meals, a small and steady rate of insulin is released