Remember when I posted a little Teaser many Fridays ago? I told you that I had found a nifty little gadget that would allow all Paradigm users to experience the bliss of product diversity, something that would break the chain of Minimed's Proprietary lock-in?
Something that would allow us - the Paradigm followers - to use Luer Lock infusion sets??
It's frustrating, isn't it, to be limited to the four sets that Minimed offers; to have no option to try out the many other sets available. Like the inset or the orbit90 or - my own personal choice - any of the Needle Sets besides Minimed's Polyfins.
Our day has come, and it's all thanks to a wonderfully ingenious company called Applied Diabetes Research and it's Head Honcho, Mr. Rick Lynch.
This wonderful little gadget, which is housed in my pump at this very moment, is called the ThinSet Reservoir. It is, unlike the Paradigm counterpart, a syringe reservoir which fits in the Paradigm 51x/71x pumps and allows for use of all standard Luer Lock sets.
Wait...let me say that again...
It allows Paradigm pump owners to use all of the standard Luer Lock sets available.
The reservoir fits the Paradigm just like Minimed's own product and, with the exception of the 
male end, looks just like Minimed's. The end sitting externally in the housing shows some major differences; there are two small 'handles' on each side, and the Luer fitting sticks out about an inch from the center once the whole set has been hooked up. The ThinSet reservoir 'clicks' into the pump the same as does the Paradigm reservoir.
I found the ThinSet reservoir to be easier to fill than the Paradigm, although harder to expel bubbles. The plunger of the Thinset moves much more smoothly than Minimed's and the barrel markings are much easier to decipher. The ThinSet also seems to reflect the remaining insulin more correctly than the Paradigm reservoir; although the design of the ThinSet precludes one from reusing the reservoir. The 'handles' can also be uncomfortable in certain situations and may scratch the skin, depending on where the pump is being worn.
Along with the Reservoir samples, I was also given three of the ThinSet Infusion Sets. These are 90 degree, teflon cannula sets available in the standard 6 & 9 mm cannula length with a Luer Lock connection. They are extremely low profile and hardly visible even when worn under tight-fitting 
shirts. What I really enjoyed about these sets, though, is the design of the actual site hub. Not only is it very discreet, but the skin is visible right through the set, which is beneficial in the event of any site disruptions or suspicion of bleeding or bruising.
The connector of the ThinSet is fantastic; it is very thin and clips in securely to the base. The set has a self-sealing design which omits the need for a cap when bathing or swimming. The tape is very flexible and water resistant and shows no sign of lifting or fraying after two days of use.
The only drawback to the ThinSet Infusion Sets is the insertion. While the Instructions booklet advises that Minimed's Quick-serter can be used, I found this to be a very difficult proposition. The ThinSet, on a good day, will never fit properly into the Quick-serter. The fit is entirely too snug, and if loosened the needle of the set is butting up against the skin, which is a risk for improper injection. Because of it's positioning in the serter, the tape of the ThinSet will overlap one side of the inserter, causing it to pucker a bit upon insertion. Once injected, the needle cover is exhaustingly difficult to remove from the Quick-serter; I myself had to resort to jimmying the set out with a pen. Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove the needle cover directly with the inserting device, as the removal requires a side to side rocking motion. My advice - which I will take personally upon my next site change - is to insert this set by hand.
Having only ever used the Paradigm pumps, I found the Luer connection to be a little different and confusing at first. I didn't realize that there was a cap on the Luer fitting and was trying to fit the equivalent of a circle into a square (all the while cursing "why won't it go in? It must be defective!"). But the Instructions that are supplied with the Reservoir and Set cleared everything up - once I actually got frustrated enough to read them.
End result: I love these reservoirs. And the Infusion Sets are pretty fantastic too. I would - and will - highly recommend both to Paradigm users. Mr. Lynch has, with his great product, gained a future customer in me.
Should you be interested in using these ThinSet products with your Paradigm, they can be purchased at:
- For US Residents: Fifty 50 Pharmacy
- For Canadian Residents: Auto Control
* UPDATE: In further conversation with Rick Lynch, I've learned that there is an inserting device in the works for the ThinSet Infusion Sets. One that will be an improvement upon Minimed's Quick-serter. I, of course, humbly offered my trialing skills for the good of everyone. He is also going to work on making the 'handles' of the Reservoir "less obtrusive".
Remember when I posted a little Teaser many Fridays ago? I told you that I had found a nifty little gadget that would allow all Paradigm users to experience the bliss of product diversity, something that would break the chain of Minimed's Proprietary lock-in?
Something that would allow us - the Paradigm followers - to use Luer Lock infusion sets??
It's frustrating, isn't it, to be limited to the four sets that Minimed offers; to have no option to try out the many other sets available. Like the inset or the orbit90 or - my own personal choice - any of the Needle Sets besides Minimed's Polyfins.
Our day has come, and it's all thanks to a wonderfully ingenious company called Applied Diabetes Research and it's Head Honcho, Mr. Rick Lynch.
This wonderful little gadget, which is housed in my pump at this very moment, is called the ThinSet Reservoir. It is, unlike the Paradigm counterpart, a syringe reservoir which fits in the Paradigm 51x/71x pumps and allows for use of all standard Luer Lock sets.
Wait...let me say that again...
It allows Paradigm pump owners to use all of the standard Luer Lock sets available.
The reservoir fits the Paradigm just like Minimed's own product and, with the exception of the
male end, looks just like Minimed's. The end sitting externally in the housing shows some major differences; there are two small 'handles' on each side, and the Luer fitting sticks out about an inch from the center once the whole set has been hooked up. The ThinSet reservoir 'clicks' into the pump the same as does the Paradigm reservoir.
I found the ThinSet reservoir to be easier to fill than the Paradigm, although harder to expel bubbles. The plunger of the Thinset moves much more smoothly than Minimed's and the barrel markings are much easier to decipher. The ThinSet also seems to reflect the remaining insulin more correctly than the Paradigm reservoir; although the design of the ThinSet precludes one from reusing the reservoir. The 'handles' can also be uncomfortable in certain situations and may scratch the skin, depending on where the pump is being worn.
Along with the Reservoir samples, I was also given three of the ThinSet Infusion Sets. These are 90 degree, teflon cannula sets available in the standard 6 & 9 mm cannula length with a Luer Lock connection. They are extremely low profile and hardly visible even when worn under tight-fitting
shirts. What I really enjoyed about these sets, though, is the design of the actual site hub. Not only is it very discreet, but the skin is visible right through the set, which is beneficial in the event of any site disruptions or suspicion of bleeding or bruising.
The connector of the ThinSet is fantastic; it is very thin and clips in securely to the base. The set has a self-sealing design which omits the need for a cap when bathing or swimming. The tape is very flexible and water resistant and shows no sign of lifting or fraying after two days of use.
The only drawback to the ThinSet Infusion Sets is the insertion. While the Instructions booklet advises that Minimed's Quick-serter can be used, I found this to be a very difficult proposition. The ThinSet, on a good day, will never fit properly into the Quick-serter. The fit is entirely too snug, and if loosened the needle of the set is butting up against the skin, which is a risk for improper injection. Because of it's positioning in the serter, the tape of the ThinSet will overlap one side of the inserter, causing it to pucker a bit upon insertion. Once injected, the needle cover is exhaustingly difficult to remove from the Quick-serter; I myself had to resort to jimmying the set out with a pen. Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove the needle cover directly with the inserting device, as the removal requires a side to side rocking motion. My advice - which I will take personally upon my next site change - is to insert this set by hand.
Having only ever used the Paradigm pumps, I found the Luer connection to be a little different and confusing at first. I didn't realize that there was a cap on the Luer fitting and was trying to fit the equivalent of a circle into a square (all the while cursing "why won't it go in? It must be defective!"). But the Instructions that are supplied with the Reservoir and Set cleared everything up - once I actually got frustrated enough to read them.
End result: I love these reservoirs. And the Infusion Sets are pretty fantastic too. I would - and will - highly recommend both to Paradigm users. Mr. Lynch has, with his great product, gained a future customer in me.
Should you be interested in using these ThinSet products with your Paradigm, they can be purchased at:
* UPDATE: In further conversation with Rick Lynch, I've learned that there is an inserting device in the works for the ThinSet Infusion Sets. One that will be an improvement upon Minimed's Quick-serter. I, of course, humbly offered my trialing skills for the good of everyone. He is also going to work on making the 'handles' of the Reservoir "less obtrusive".