If you’re considering going for a handset operated pump then the Accu-Chek Insight is a strong option.
Handset operated pumps have the advantage of allowing you to deliver boluses and change other settings without needing to take the pump itself out.
The Accu-Chek Insight’s handset is an improvement over the handset of Roche’s previous pump, the Accu-Chek Combo , as the Insight’s handset is a sleeker, easier to read touchscreen and closer in appearance to a smartphone.
Note that the touchscreen is not yet up to the standard of a modern smartphone but it’s certainly a good step in the right direction.
Key features
- Touch screen, colour handset
- Handset also serves as integrated blood glucose meter
- Basal rates as small as 0.02 units per hour
- 5 different basal profiles can be set
- Bolus increments from 0.05 units
- Rechargeable handset
- Easy to fill reservoir
Disadvantages
One disadvantage that may be felt by people that are used to having a large insulin reservoir is that the Accu-Chek Insight has a 200 unit reservoir capacity and is therefore smaller than the reservoir capacity of the Accu-Chek Combo, which was 315 units.
As with the Combo before, the Insight does not feature direct integration with a CGM system.
Basal and bolus doses
As well as allowing very small increments of basal rates, the Accu-Chek Insight also allows you to set up to 5 different basal profiles. Up to 24 basal rates can be set over a 24 hour period.
Note that a basal rate is the number of units of insulin per hour that the pump delivers whilst a basal profile is the complete set of basal rates over a 24 hour period.
Bolus doses are also available in very small increments of 0.05 units and the types of bolus doses available include a standard bolus, quick bolus, extended bolus and multiwave bolus.
Reservoir
Whilst the 200 units reservoir for the Accu-Chek Insight is smaller than it was for the Combo, there is some good news in that Roche have made refilling the reservoir easier than before.
If you’re happy with refilling the reservoir with 160 units then you have the option of using new NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges which makes refilling the reservoir easier than ever before.
If you’re happier sacrificing a little of the ease for the benefit of a larger reservoir, then the Insight still provides an advance to make the reservoir filling a little easier through the use of an automated cartridge filler which helps minimise the chance of bubbles in the reservoir.
Accu-Chek Insight Flex infusion set
The Accu-Chek Insight is compatible with the Insight Flex infusion set which makes use of the AccuChek LinkAssist Plus insertion that helps ensure infusion sets are easier, less fiddly and safer.
Technical specifications
- Basal rate increments: 0.02 to 25 units per hour
- Basal profiles: Up to 5
- Basal rates per profile: 1 to 24
- Bolus doses: 0.05 to 25 units
- Reservoir size: 200 units
- Water protection: IPX 8 – Protected against effects of temporary immersion in water for 60 minutes at up to 1.3 m depth
Dimensions
- Pump (with adapter): 84 x 52 x 19 mm
- Pump (without adapter): 72 x 52 x 16 mm
- Handset: 105 x 52 x 19 mm
Weight
- Pump: 115g (with batteries, full cartridge and infusion set)
- Handset: 110g
Batteries
- Pump: One 1.5-volt AAA alkaline (LR03) or lithium (FR06) battery or One
- Handset: 1 custom lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Battery life:
- Pump (alkaline batteries): 5 days with Bluetooth off
- Pump (lithium batteries): 14 days with Bluetooth off
- Handset: 3 days (under standard usage)
Operating conditions for pump
- Temperature: 5°C to 37°C (41°F to 99°F)
- Humidity: 20% to 90%
- Air pressure: 50 to 106 kPA (500 to 1060 mbar)
- Blood glucose test strips: Accu-Chek Aviva test strips
Roche Insulin Pump Careline:
- UK: 0800 731 22 91
- Ireland: 1 800 882 351
