Continuous Glucose Monitors
Insulin Pumps and Supplies
Diabetes Testing Supplies
Blood Glucose Meters
Smart Insulin Pens
Insulin Supplies
View All Products
Both insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) help people manage diabetes, but they are two different types of tools. Pumps focus on insulin delivery, while CGMs help monitor glucose levels. However, certain insulin pumps can work alongside CGM systems to adjust insulin in response to glucose readings. This is known as closed-loop therapy.
Read on to learn more about how a closed-loop insulin pump may offer added convenience and freedom to diabetes management, as well as which tools may be best for you.*
Table of Contents
- What is a Closed Loop Insulin Pump?
- How Does a Closed Loop Insulin Pump Work?
- Hybrid vs. Fully Closed Loop System Selection
- Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Prevention
- Improved Glycemic Control
- Enhanced Quality of Life
- Peace of Mind for Caregivers
- Closed Loop System and CGM Compatibility
- iLet Bionic Pancreas
- Tandem Insulin Pumps
- Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System
- Medtronic Systems
- Closed Loop Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
- Closed Loop Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
- Choosing the Best Closed Loop Insulin Pump
- Why a Combined Insulin Pump and CGM Matters
- Advanced Diabetes Supply: Your Source for Closed Loop Technology
- Closed Loop Insulin Delivery FAQs
What Is a Closed Loop Insulin Pump?
A closed loop insulin pump is an Automated Insulin Delivery System (AIDS). It uses a CGM to track blood sugar levels and adjust insulin doses as needed. This helps ease the daily demands of diabetes management and support glucose control.
How Does a Closed Loop Insulin Pump Work?
A closed loop system provides more consistent glucose control day and night to help reduce highs and lows, support greater daily freedom, and promote long-term health.
Hybrid vs. Fully Closed Loop Systems
There are two primary types of closed loop systems: hybrid and fully closed loop insulin pumps.
Hybrid Closed Loop Insulin Pump
A hybrid closed loop insulin pump provides automatic basal insulin, delivering small, steady doses throughout the day. It combines a predictive algorithm with user control. Users still interact with the pump and CGM by manually entering carbohydrate counts and delivering bolus doses for meals and corrections, potentially giving the user more control during mealtimes.
Fully Closed Loop Insulin Pump
A fully closed loop insulin pump is the most advanced automated insulin delivery system available, managing both basal and bolus insulin. It uses CGM readings to track glucose levels and adjusts insulin delivery without requiring manual input for meals or corrections. This fully automated setup offers a hands-off experience.
Hybrid vs. Fully Closed Loop System Selection
When choosing between a hybrid vs fully closed loop system, think about how much daily involvement you want. Do you prefer the more hands-on approach of a hybrid insulin pump, or value the ease of a fully closed loop system? Hybrid systems require meal-time input but provide a strong level of automation. Fully closed loop systems help take the guesswork out of diabetes care.
Benefits of Closed Loop Insulin Delivery Systems
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Prevention
A closed loop insulin pump automatically adjusts insulin doses based on real-time glucose readings received from a CGM. If your blood sugar begins to rise, the system delivers more insulin. If your glucose levels start to drop, insulin delivery may be reduced or paused. This smart automation helps prevent dangerous blood sugar swings, making daily life more predictable and manageable.
Improved Glycemic Control
Studies show that people using closed loop insulin delivery systems spend more time within their target glucose range. They experience fewer hypoglycemic events and often see lower HbA1c levels. This benefit of effective diabetes management may lead to better long-term outcomes, such as a reduced risk of diabetes complications. This may include lower risks of nerve damage, kidney disease, and eye problems.
Enhanced Quality of Life
As an advanced automated insulin delivery system, a closed loop insulin pump helps reduce the need for constant blood sugar monitoring and manual insulin adjustments. By automatically gathering most of your blood glucose data, closed loop insulin therapy allows you to focus more on daily life and less on managing diabetes. A closed loop insulin delivery system may also help reduce diabetes stress, improve sleep quality by preventing nighttime lows, and offer greater flexibility in routines, travel, exercise, and meals, per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Peace of Mind for Caregivers
Closed loop insulin pumps are also a game-changer for children, older adults, and caregivers. Family members can have peace of mind knowing the system is continuously monitoring and adjusting insulin levels, even while their loved one sleeps. Many pumps also come with remote monitoring capabilities, allowing caregivers to track glucose and insulin data in real time.
Closed Loop System and CGM Compatibility
When choosing an insulin pump and CGM, it’s important to consider compatibility. If you already have a CGM and are looking for an insulin pump, make sure to check whether the pump is compatible with your CGM to ensure smooth, efficient integration.
Many insulin pumps are designed to work with leading CGM systems, providing accurate glucose data and precise insulin delivery.
iLet Bionic Pancreas
The iLet Bionic Pancreas fully closed loop insulin pump that works with Dexcom G6 and G7 and Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 CGMs. It uses built-in algorithms to automatically adjust insulin based on your glucose trends, meal needs, and correction doses—no carb counting required. Visit the Beta Bionic website for complete product information.
Tandem® Insulin Pumps
Tandem t:slim X2 and Tandem Mobi hybrid closed loop insulin pumps feature Control-IQ technology and are compatible with Dexcom G6 and G7 and Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 and 3 CGMs. This integration helps predict glucose trends and proactively adjusts insulin delivery, providing peace of mind and greater control. Visit the Tandem website for complete product information.
Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System
The Omnipod 5 hybrid closed loop insulin pump is also compatible with the Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 2 CGM and is tubeless, discreet, and convenient. This system uses SmartAdjust technology to automate insulin delivery and adapts to your personal glucose trends. Visit the Omnipod website for complete product information.
Medtronic Systems
While Medtronic closed loop insulin pumps generally use their own CGM—like Guardian Sensor 3 and 4—it’s important to stay informed about emerging compatibility options. Currently, Dexcom and Abbott CGM’s are not compatible with Medtronic insulin pumps, but future updates could change that. Visit the Medtronic website for complete product information.
Closed Loop Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
For those living with Type 1 diabetes, closed loop therapy may offer a significant improvement in quality of life. A closed loop insulin pump may reduce HbA1c, lower the risk of hypoglycemia, and offer more predictable glucose control. Whether using a hybrid or fully closed loop insulin pump, users may benefit from real-time adjustments that help prevent blood sugar highs and lows.
Closed Loop Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
Closed loop insulin pumps are also becoming a valuable option for people with Type 2 diabetes who use insulin. Automated insulin delivery systems may make Type 2 diabetes management easier by reducing the need for frequent blood sugar checks and improving consistency.
Choosing the Right Closed Loop Insulin Pump
Choosing the best closed loop insulin pump isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Factors like your daily routine, activity level, comfort with technology, and insurance coverage all play a role. Some users may prefer a tubeless design like the Omnipod 5 for a lower profile and more freedom of movement. Others may value the customizable features of the Tandem t:slim X2, which offers precise control and customization features.
Your healthcare provider or diabetes educator can help you assess your goals and lifestyle to make the most informed choice and determine the most suitable closed loop insulin delivery system for you.
Why a Combined Insulin Pump and CGM Matters
Using a combined insulin pump and CGM may make a big difference in diabetes management. This combination helps reduce diabetes burnout, supports more time in range, and creates a more stable daily routine.
Advanced Diabetes Supply: Your Source for Closed Loop Technology
At Advanced Diabetes Supply, we understand the challenges of living with diabetes, and we’re here to make life easier. We offer a wide selection of closed loop insulin pumps, including fully and hybrid closed loop systems, and pumps that are compatible with CGM’s like Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the right solution for your needs and simplifying your diabetes management journey. We make it easy to get started with a system that fits your lifestyle and supports better long-term health.
Our knowledgeable team can help you:
Explore the differences between hybrid vs fully closed loop options
Find pumps compatible with Dexcom G7 and other CGMs
Learn more about what closed loop insulin delivery means for you
Answer questions like “What CGM works with the Tandem insulin pump?”
Choose a closed loop insulin pump for your needs
Coordinate insurance coverage and documentation
Get started with your new pump quickly and confidently
Ready to find the right closed loop insulin pump and CGM for your needs? Whether you’re looking for a new system or want to know which insulin pumps are compatible, Advanced Diabetes Supply is here to help.
Get started today and explore how closed loop insulin therapy may simplify your diabetes management at Advanced Diabetes Supply.
Closed Loop Insulin Delivery FAQs
What does a closed loop insulin pump mean?
A closed loop insulin pump refers to an insulin pump that works with a CGM and uses an algorithm to automatically adjust insulin delivery. This advanced technology is a key part of modern diabetes management and is often described as a combined insulin pump and CGM or an insulin pump with integrated CGM.
What is a hybrid closed loop insulin pump?
A hybrid closed loop insulin pump is an insulin delivery system that combines automated insulin adjustments with user input for meals and corrections. This approach provides a balance between advanced automation and personal diabetes insight.
What is a fully closed loop insulin pump?
A fully closed loop insulin pump is an automated insulin delivery system that manages basal and bolus insulin without requiring user input for meals or corrections. It offers a hands-off approach to diabetes management, closely mimicking the way a healthy pancreas works. An example of a fully closed loop insulin pump is the iLet Bionic Pancreas. It works with Dexcom G6 and G7 and Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 CGMs.
What CGM works with the Tandem insulin pump?
The Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump is compatible with the Dexcom G7 and Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 CGM’s. This pump features Control-IQ technology, which interprets CGM data and adjusts insulin delivery automatically.
Sources
Jiao, X., Shen, Y., & Chen, Y. (2022). Better TIR, HbA1c, and less hypoglycemia in closed-loop insulin system in patients with type 1 diabetes: A meta-analysis. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 10(2), e002633. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002633. PMCID: PMC9024214.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Updated March 14, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention-type-2/prediabetes-prevent-type-2.html
Halliday J.A., et al. (2024). Six months of hybrid closed-loop therapy improves diabetes-specific positive well-being, and reduces diabetes distress and fear of hypoglycemia. [N.B.: journal name not listed on open snippet]. PMC #: PMC11683942. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11683942/
* This is not medical advice. Patients and Caregivers need to seek medical help in the event of an emergency.