When I starter pumping a couple of weeks ago with my Medtronic Minimed 522, I was offered two choices for my infusion sets, including the Silhouette and The Quickset. I wasn’t particularly attracted to a manual insertion of the gigantic needle, so I settled for the Quickset infusion sets.
Traditionally, Paradigm pump users have been limited to a small number of infusion sets due to the propietary nature of the Paradigm connectors. Fortunately, a company has created a special reservoir that provides pumpers with the freedom to use most infusion set available in the market.
So I decided to challenge my initial decision and order a few different infusion sets to compare them and make a decision about which one I want to use permanently.
I decided that at least for now, I wanted to stay with infusion sets that offer automated insertion, preferably with an integrated inserter. To that effect, I have selected three infusion sets for my initial comparison. the Minimed Quicksets, Smith Medical Cleo 90 and Unomedical Inset II.
Over the next few weeks I will be trying each of these infusion sets in turn, and will post a review of each here. If you have any other sets you think I should consider, I would love to know about it.
Note: If you want to have a look at the outcome of this evaluation, visit the following articles:
Review: Medtronic Minimed Quickset infusion set
D and The Guy - A blog about Diabetes in real life 
How about the sure T sets? Some veteran pumpers rave about them. They have a needle instead of a cannula that stays in you and supposedly you can move it if you put it in and decide it needs to go elsewhere.
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll have a look at the Sure T and see if they sound like I should try them.
Cheers,
Henry.-
Why not try the *regular*, straight-in Insets? I have a few samples of the Inset II, but have not yet tried them because I’ve read quite a few people say that they’re difficult to maneuver, even with the built-in serter. The Inset II is an angled set, like your Silhouettes; the original Inset is a straight-in set like the Quicksets that you’ve been using. You may want to ask on IP for some tips in getting the Inset IIs to insert and stay in place properly; I think it’s likely the angle plus the use of a serter that makes it a bit of a challenge. Are you able to get any samples of the regular Insets? I’d really suggest them. I’ve never had a problem with one and find them reliable and relatively simple to insert.
FWIW, you mentioned the Silhouettes and the manual insertion with the longer needle. When I started pumping in 1998, this was the first set that I was introduced to — and I used them exclusively for five years, until I took a one-year pump break. When I re-started pumping a year later and began using an Animas, I started using the Comfort sets, which are the Sils under a different name (with a luer lock connection; I had an old MM so I always used the luer lock sets). Believe me — the length of the needle should NOT deter you from manually inserting them. I actually LOVE this set and it’s still my favored, preferred set, though I’ve used the Insets for a couple of years now and like them very much as well.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Thanks Christine. The Inset II that I ordered are 90 degree insertion sets in a similar fashion to the quicksets. Probably marketed under different names around the world. Here in Australia, the angled ones are called Inset 30.
I seem to be hearing a lot of comments about manual insertion of angled sets, so maybe it’s not that bad… maybe I’ll gather the courage to give them a try.
Cheers,
Henry.-
Christine,
Thanks for your information and experience on the infusion sets and the Animas pump.
I have used the Animas straight-in insets for several years. They are a bit awkward but the real issue for me is that the plastic cannulas on these infusion sets does not provide predictable BG levels as do metal needle sets which I have used from Mini-Med (bent-needle types). Very predictable BG’s.
Most of what Animas provides actually come from Unomedical. Animas resells their infusion sets. They don’t work well for thin people like me. Also, the longer inset variety (9mm) is no better. The fallacy of longer or deeper needles do not necessarily produce better BG results.
However, the ICU Medical Inc. metal infusion sets (5.5mm) produce predictable BG results. However, Animas refuses to carry them, even though they are cheaper than the Unomedical variety.
The very important factor for me is that my insurance co. (Harvard Pilgrim) only contracts with the pump manufacturers to supply infusion sets and other DME supplies.
I am not made of gold and am being forced to use supplies from the pump manufacturers.
There is a new infusion set made by ICU Medical Inc. It is an inset type with a vertical 90 degree insertion point. Two cannula types, one is steel at 5.5 mm, the other is 9 mm(I think?).
Steel sets work better for me and produce less variability in the BG readings.
Medtronic still carries the bent needle steel sets and I still use them even though I have an Animas 1250 pump. I am not impressed with Animas’ inset variety at 5 mm and 9 mm. They are both plastic cannulas and are disastrous for me. I haven’t tried their ContactD sets yet. They may work but are a bit long (8 mm) which means they go deeper,and of course, will hurt more for thin folks.
Since J&J bought out Animas, they have been extremely UNRESPONSIVE!.
All the pump companies have a monopoly on supplies with most insurance cos. I know that Harvard Pilgrim Insurance (mine), HMO variety, sticks with 4 pump cos. – Medtronic,Animas,Smith Medical, and Diesetronic. And they won’t contract elsewhere for supplies.
Outside distributors must work through other channels for the end customer to purchase their infusion sets. They like their monopoly position and profit from us by charging higher DME rates.
Thanks Tom… I’ll have a look into the ICU sets.
I’ve only used the Minimed Quick-Sets, so I’m VERY curious to hear about your experiences with the other ones.
I hope you find something that works for you. I don’t have to use an infusion set, one thing I like about the Pod.
Thanks Cherise, I’ll let you know how I go.
I wish we had the pod here, but still looks a fair bit away, specially the way these things work here in Australia (Stay tuned for a post with more details)
Cheers,
Henry.-
Geoffrey here from TuDiabetes, just wanted to add my comments here –
I used a Cozmo for 4 years, and in that time I [regularly] used the Quickset, Cleo, and original Inset 90. (i didn’t know that there was an Inset 2, looks almost identical to what i used.)
I wasn’t crazy about the Quickset, because of the stupid blue igloo, and carrying around the sites, they tended to get crushed in my bag. I moved to the Inset, and loved those, took a 1-month break to use the Cleo and got a rash from the tegaderm-like adhesive circle… so i went back to the Insets, until i got my Paradigm 722. I just heard about the ADR reservoirs, and will probably go back to my insets once i run out of supplies.
got my 2 sample ADR reservoirs the other day, and i am back to using my Insets… i forgot how easy these are!
now just 2 more months of Quicksets before i can reorder