Medtronic Paradigm Infusion Set: A Step-by-Step Guide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.7 million Americans use insulin for the management of type 1 diabetes. Conventionally, insulin was administered multiple times a day via injections that caused pain and discomfort to the patient and often led to infections. However, systems, like Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets, have been introduced that provide a precise and continuous insulin delivery.

Blood sugar monitoring is essential for patients dealing with diabetes

Proper management of diabetes increases the patient’s quality of life

In this article, we will go through the step-by-step process of changing the Medtronic Paradigm infusion set. In addition, some of the well-known infusion pump brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.

What is an Infusion Set?

An infusion set is a medical tool used with an insulin pump with an insulin pump. Its job is to deliver insulin from the pump into the fatty tissues or subcutaneous layer of the skin. An infusion set consists of a tubing system, one end of which connects with the insulin pump worn on the body, while the other is attached to the skin.

The structure consists of a small cannula constructed using a soft plastic or a steel needle, tubing, and a connector. To ensure the optimal functioning of the insulin pump, it is recommended to change the infusion set every 2 to 3 days.

What are the Medtronic Paradigm Infusion Sets?

Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets are one of the important components of the insulin pump system of the same brand. These are the tubing systems that provide a continuous and automated insulin delivery to achieve well-controlled blood glucose levels.

Why are Frequent Changes Recommended?

Insulin pump infusion sets need to be changed every 2 to 3 days for the following reasons:

To prevent possible skin problems, such as irritation, hardening of the skin, and infections
To ensure a consistent and reliable absorption of insulin
To reduce the risk of bacterial skin infections
To prevent blockage and leaks in the infusion lines

Changing a Medtronic Paradigm Infusion Set: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to changing a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, it is important to do it step-by-step so that any possible complications can be avoided. In this regard, the following section elaborates on the proper procedure:

Remove the Old Infusion Pump

The first step of changing the Medtronic Paradigm infusion set is to remove the old one. To do so, wash your hands to ensure germs do not get transferred from your hands to the insulin pump, leading to a bacterial infection. Disconnect the infusion pump from your body and the reservoir from the pump. On the infusion pump, go to ‘Main Menu’ and select ‘Prime’, followed by pressing ‘Act’ from the ‘Rewind’ screen.

Connect the Reservoir with the Insulin Vial

At the next stage of changing the Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets, is to fill the reservoir. In this regard, remove the reservoir from the packaging. It consists of three components, i.e., a plunger rod, reservoir, and transfer guard. By pulling the plunger down, the reservoir gets filled with air.

Now, clean the mouth of the insulin vial using an alcohol wipe. Once germ-free, connect the blue transfer guard of the reservoir to the insulin vial and press it down. Push the plunger so that the air gets pushed from the reservoir into the vial.

Fill Insulin into the Reservoir

While pushing, flip the assembly to bring the vial on top and start pulling the plunger down to fill the reservoir (just like medication is filled into an injection). After filling, check the reservoir for air bubbles.

If present, tap at the side of the reservoir to raise them to the top, followed by their removal into the insulin vial by pushing the plunger. While learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, remember to keep pulling the plunger down once all the air bubbles are removed until enough insulin is filled into the reservoir to last 2 to 3 days.

Diabetic Person Using A Pen Insulin Self Injection

Well-controlled diabetes reduces the risk of future complications

Disconnect the Reservoir from the Insulin Vial

Once insulin has been filled into the reservoir, there is a need to disconnect the assembly. To do so, it is recommended to flip the assembly over so that the vial is on top of the reservoir. This will help prevent insulin from getting on the top of the reservoir.

Now, while holding the transfer guard, turn the reservoir counter-clockwise, followed by pulling it straight up until disconnected from the transfer guard. At this stage of learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, discard the transfer guard into the sharps container.

Connect the Silhouette Infusion Set to the Reservoir

Now, the next step of learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set is to connect the tubing. To do so, take out the Silhouette from its packaging. The one end of the tube contains a tubing connector, while the other has a site connector.

Once ensured that the top part of the reservoir is dry, attach it to the tubing connector by gently pushing them, followed by clockwise movement until the assembly slides and locks into place. Remove any air bubbles by tapping on the side of the reservoir until insulin is visible in the tubing.

Now, by turning the plunger counter-clockwise, unscrew it from the reservoir. Ensure that it is pulled out once completely disconnected, insulin will spill out.

Prime the Tubing

At this stage of learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, select the ‘Preparing to Prime’ option on the insulin pump and press ‘Act’. Then, the newly filled reservoir is filled into the reservoir compartment. To lock the tubing connector in place, turn it clockwise. While pressing the edges of the site connector, pull the cap off.

Now, press and hold ‘Act’ to start priming the tubing. As soon as the tube fills, the pump will beep. Wait for drips to appear at the tip of the connector needle to release ‘Act’. At this stage, press ‘ESC’ and start inserting the Silhouette infusion set.

Insert the Silhouette Infusion Set

While learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, keep in mind that the Silhouette infusion set can be inserted either by hand or by a Sil-Serter. Let us go through both the steps:

Insertion by Hand

Select a suitable insertion site and wipe it with alcohol or antiseptic wipes. While holding the Silhouette insertion piece by the gray needle handle, remove the needle guard. Insert the needle at the selected skin site at an angle of 20 to 45 degree. Once properly inserted, release the skin and hold the insertion piece in place.

Insertion by Sil-Serter

As mentioned above, clean the selected area of the skin with alcohol or antiseptic wipes. By pressing down the Lock & Release handle of the Sil-Serter, place the Silhouette insertion piece inside the Sil-Serter. Once the serter prongs are secure in place, release the Lock & Release handle and slide it back until a click sound is heard. Gently pull off the needle guard.

At this point of learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, make sure that the arms of the Sil-Serter are at an angle of 20 to 45 degrees to your skin. Insert the infusion set by pressing the white button on the serter. Open the serter by pressing the Lock & Release handle and sliding it back from the Silhouette.

Remove the Introducer Needle

Peel the paper from the front part of the adhesive and press it against the skin to establish a secure connection. To remove the introducer needle, squeeze the arms on the gray needle handle and pull it back. Without lifting the infusion set from the skin, peel the rest of the paper as well. Now, while learning how to change a Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, make a connection between the tubing of the infusion set by sliding the site connector into the insertion piece on your skin.

Prime the Cannula

Go to ‘Prime Menu’ and select ‘Fixed Prime’, press ‘Act’.

Precise insulin delivery reduces the risk of hypoglycemia

Infusion Sets at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Infusion sets are used along with insulin pumps for quick and easy management of diabetes. These are small-sized, comfortable-to-use products that directly administer insulin subcutaneously and need replacement every 2 to 3 days.

However, when it comes to learning about the Medtronic Paradigm infusion set, it is also essential to look into some of the infusion sets that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known infusion sets are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:

MMT332A MiniMed Paradigm Reservoir 3 ml

MMT332A MiniMed Paradigm Reservoir 3ml

Product Details

MMT332A MiniMed Paradigm reservoirs are used to hold insulin that is to be administered under the skin. As these reservoirs need to be filled multiple times, they have been designed to have a large and wide opening to allow a quick and easy filling of insulin.

Moreover, these MM T332A MiniMed Paradigm reservoirs also contain clear markings on them to allow the estimation of the remaining amount of insulin. This way, the user gets to know when there is a need to refill the reservoir to maintain a consistent insulin delivery.

Furthermore, these MMT332A MiniMed Paradigm reservoirs are compatible with all Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps as well as infusion sets.

MMT382 MiniMed Paradigm Silhouette 13 mm 43 Full Set Infusion Set

Product Details

MMT382 MiniMed Paradigm Silhouette infusion sets are extensively used with Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps. Each of these consists of one MiniMed Paradigm Silhouette catheter, an inserter, one adhesive pad, and an alcohol swab. The cannula is soft and tapered and can, therefore, be inserted at an angle of 30 degrees.

Moreover, these MMT382 MiniMed Paradigm Silhouette infusion sets also offer variable insertion depths, including 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm. Owing to this feature, the product can be personalized depending on a patient’s needs.

Furthermore, the low-profile design of the catheters of these MMT382 MiniMed Paradigm Silhouette infusion sets keep the user comfortable and do not make the device prominent when worn under the clothes, leading to increased privacy.

Insulin injections often cause pain and discomfort to the patient

The products linked in the article, while learning about Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of diabetic care products.

Conclusion

Diabetes, being one of the commonly occurring chronic diseases, impacts the lives of a huge chunk of the American population. If the blood glucose levels are not maintained within the target range, long-term exposure to high sugar levels starts affecting cardiac and retinal health, among others. In this regard, insulin administration is considered necessary in many cases.

To do so, insulin injections have been used as a conventional measure. However, due to pain and discomfort, insulin pumps in conjunction with infusion sets have been introduced. When properly affixed in place, infusion sets maintain a consistent supply of insulin and, therefore, allow proper management of diabetes.

Considering their importance, Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets are an integral part of diabetic care and are, therefore, needed within all the relevant healthcare facilities as well as in home settings. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including the Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.