Aid for insulin users
Aid for Insulin Users
Injecting insulin can be particularly challenging for those with dexterity problems , needle anxiety , or vision impairment , but fortunately a variety of products exist to help people with these common problems. Whether you need magnified syringe markings, a steadier hand, or a way to take the ouch out of injections, here are products that aim to make staying healthy a little easier.
Injection Aids
○ AmbiMed
Inject-Ease
Inserting a loaded syringe into Inject-Ease completely hides the syringe and needle. The tip of the device is pressed against the skin, and then a button on the other end is compressed to automatically inject the insulin. Spacer rings can be used to customize the injection depth. Designed to work with BD syringes.
Pain Relief
○ MMJ Labs
Buzzy
This vibrating bee-shaped device reduces the pain of insulin injections by distracting the user. It has a cold pack on the back and is placed near the injection site prior to injection. The combination of cold and vibration can diminish the sensation of the needle. Also available in ladybug and plain black versions.
Owen Mumford
wen Mumford
Autoject 2
This aid automates insulin injection with a variety of syringes. After a loaded syringe is secured inside the Autoject 2, insulin can be delivered at the push of a button and without the needle being visible. Additional features include a safety mechanism that prevents accidental firing, adjustable needle penetration depth, and an indicator that changes color when injection is complete. An alternate model, the Autoject 2 EI, allows a user to know by feel when an injection is complete.
Insulin Pump Accessory
○ IntraPump Infusion Systems
Tubeguard
This thin plastic spool (shown with an optional sticker) can hold excess insulin pump tubing, safeguarding users against breaks in the flow of insulin or from an infusion set being pulled from the skin if an insulin pump is dropped or catches on something. Can hold up to 100 cm (39.4 inches) of tubing. Comes with a clip on the back to secure it to a belt or elsewhere
Injection Ports
○ Patton Medical Devices
I-Port Advance
This button-shaped device cuts down on the frequency of needle injections. A disposable inserter helps guide the cannula into the skin at a 90-degree angle. Once inserted, the needle is removed and a cannula remains in the skin for up to three days. Compatible with a syringe or pen needle. Available by prescription only.
Insuflon
○ IntraPump Infusion Systems
Insuflon
This patch-like device reduces the number of times needle injections are necessary. The cannula is inserted into the skin at an angle of 20 to 45 degrees with a needle as the guide. Once inserted, the needle is removed, leaving the cannula under the skin. The shallow angle of insertion makes it suitable for children and others with little tissue under the skin. Injections are made into a plastic tube that lies flat against the skin. Insuflon must be replaced every three days or less. Compatible with syringe or pen needles. Available by prescription only.
Dosing Aids
○ Prodigy
Count-a-Dose
This allows a blind or visually impaired person to fill a syringe with the desired amount of insulin. A syringe is placed in Count-a-Dose so that the needle inserts into an insulin bottle, located in the device’s bottle holder. Then, with each click of a dial, a unit of insulin is drawn. Count-a-Dose has places for two insulin vials. Raised dots on the bottle holder allow the user to know which vial is which by touch. The aid works only with BD Lo-Dose syringes, type U-100, size ½ cc, 50 units.
Magnification
Insul-Eze
○ AmbiMed
Insul-Eze
Insul-Eze This clear plastic tube fits over the barrel of a syringe, magnifying its markings by 2X. Insul-Eze fits most syringes and insulin bottles.
Syringe Magnifier
○ Apothecary
Syringe Magnifier
This device clips on to any standard syringe barrel to magnify its markings by 2X.
VialDock
○ VialDock
VialDock
This clear plastic tube fits over the barrel of a syringe, magnifying its markings by 2X. It clamps down on the cap of the insulin bottle to increase stability. VialDock fits Eli Lilly vials best but was designed to accommodate other vials as well.
Needle Safety
○ Owen Mumford
Unifine Pentips Plus
This device combines an insulin pen needle with a pen-needle remover. Users insert the pen into one side of the device and turn the pen until the needle screws onto the pen. Then, after injection, the user inserts the needle side of the pen into the other side of the device and turns the pen to remove the needle without having to touch it. The remover then safely houses the used needle until disposal is convenient. Compatible with all leading insulin pen brands.
Securitee Blanket
○ Regato Enterprises
Securitee Blanket
Like a cozy, this product fits around an insulin vial to make it easier to grip and less likely to break if dropped. Available in three sizes, depending on insulin type.
Insul-Cap
○ AmbiMed
Insul-Cap
This plastic cap attaches to the top of an insulin vial. By increasing stability, it helps users draw insulin into a syringe. To use, open the lid, insert the needle and syringe into the cap, draw the insulin, and then remove the needle from the cap for injection. Available in blue and orange, to help distinguish different types of insulin.
