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pesky bubbles!

J

JANROU

Well-Known Member
Messages
190
Location
Norwich
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Just wanted to know if anyone has tips with regards to bubbles. Changed my cartridge (for the second time)on sat and had a few problems getting rid of all the bubbles, yesterday (monday) bg's rose after tea for no apparent reason, during the checks discovered quite alot of air in the cartridge and tubing. Firstly is there a way that this can be minimised as on saturday i was sure there wasn't any present and secondly how do people normally deal with this, do you check tubing daily? Thanks for your wisdom
 
A couple of tips here..

Take the insulin out of the fridge before and let it reachi room tempreture before filling cartridge (I generally take a new vial out the day before strarting it, then leave it out while it is in use)

When injecting the air into the vial, I turn the vial the right way up, so not pushing air through the insulin.

Tap air out before you start, and durning primeing

Check the cartridge frequently, prime out air bubbles if you see them..

I always wear my pump with connector facing downwards, then if there is any air bubbles in the cartridge they should stay up the other end out of the way of getting into the tubing..

With practive you will find that the bubble issuse will get better and less of a problem, it's early days at the moment
 
I never get air bubbles at all. Used to, and can only pin it down to the following which I've adapted over the years:

  • After removing from the fridge, I get the insulin vial to room temperature as quickly as possible (old tip from previous life as a chef). Not with a microwave or anything silly like that :!: but just slip the vial into my pocket for a few minutes.

    Before attaching to the vial, I always "prime" the reservoir with a few gulps of air, which also ensures the rubber end-cap is flexed up and can move smoothly against the inside of the reservoir.

    After injecting air into the vial, I never pull the plunger back but let the reservoir start filling of it's own accord, which it will do due to the pressure of air just introduced. When it stops, I tap the reservoir to shift any bubbles present to the top and then return all the insulin to the vial. I might do this a couple of times to be sure. Then on the final withdraw I'll only pull very slowly on the plunger once the air pressure has done it's bit.

Ta da! No bubbles. Ever. :mrgreen:
 
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