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Bubbles

E

Emck

Well-Known Member
Messages
170
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any magic tips to help prevent bubbles in tubing?

The past few set changes that I’ve done, I’ve really struggled to get all of the bubbles out of the syringe. This has, on a few occasions, meant that I’ve had to shoot the contents of the syringe down the sink.

The issue for me is that the bubbles are more frothy/foamy than just big bubbles that can float to the top. They stick to the side of the syringe and don’t clear, no matter how much I tap (I’ve even cracked a few syringed by tapping too hard)!
 
Do you keep your insulin in the fridge?
I have heard that very cold insulin is more likely to bubble than keeping it at room temperature.
 
In Response said:
Do you keep your insulin in the fridge?
I have heard that very cold insulin is more likely to bubble than keeping it at room temperature.
Click to expand...

Yeah when I started on my pump, the medtronic trainer specifically told me to let it warm up since I'd just taken it out of the fridge for that very reason that it'll make it far more likely to bubble if cold - so I tend to get it out of the fridge about 20-30 mins before sorting out my new reservoir
 
The vial I used today was straight from the fridge but other times I’ve let it warm up a bit and still it has been bubbly.
 
I've found too much or too little air put into vial to compensate for insulin taken out can cause unwanted bubbles especially the foamy type mentioned. Try releasing the air first (with open syringe), then only put in air amount for the insulin being taken out.

P.S. in 50+ years I've never had an issue using insulin straight out of the fridge.
 
Emck said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any magic tips to help prevent bubbles in tubing?

The past few set changes that I’ve done, I’ve really struggled to get all of the bubbles out of the syringe. This has, on a few occasions, meant that I’ve had to shoot the contents of the syringe down the sink.

The issue for me is that the bubbles are more frothy/foamy than just big bubbles that can float to the top. They stick to the side of the syringe and don’t clear, no matter how much I tap (I’ve even cracked a few syringed by tapping too hard)!
Click to expand...
Have you tried tapping the bottom of the reservoir firmly several times on a flat hard surface, then leaving for 5 minutes? This should help get even small bubbles to the top. Then, keeping the reservoir vertical, attach it to the tubing and use the plunger to press any bubbles into the tubing.
 
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