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Insulin Pump Glossary

A1C (HbA1c) Test -
A 2-3 month average of blood glucose values expressed in percent. The normal range varies based on a number of factors.
Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop system (AHCL) -
AHCL systems are differentiated from a standard Hybrid Closed Loop system (HCL) by the ability to deliver automatic correction boluses.
AID Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) -
Any system where an insulin pump is able to adjust insulin delivery based solely on input from a CGM or other data source, without user intervention.
Artificial Pancreas -
An investigational device designed to mimic a human pancreas by combining an insulin pump with a continuous glucose sensor.
Aseptic Technique -
A process for maintaining sterilization and avoiding contamination.
Audio Bolus -
The pump can be programmed so the user hears a beep when they select a bolus insulin amount.
Basal-IQ Technology -
A predictive low glucose suspend system (PLGS) from Tandem Diabetes Care that uses the Dexcom G6 CGM.
BG (Blood Glucose / Blood Sugar) -
The level of glucose in the blood, measured in mg/dL.
Bolus -
A dose of insulin given to cover food consumed or elevated blood glucose
Cannula -
The tiny, flexible section of the infusion set that is inserted under the skin through which insulin is delivered.
Carb Ratio (Insulin-to-Carbohydrate Ratio) -
The number of grams of carbohydrate that one unit of insulin will cover.
Cartridge -
A disposable insulin holding component found in certain pumps.
CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) -
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a handheld personal monitoring device that uses wireless technology to collect glucose readings from a small sensor inserted under the skin.
Closed Loop -
A system that regulates blood glucose automatically without a person with diabetes needing to enter date such as glucose or carbohydrate values.
Closed Loop Control (CLC) -
A measure of how much time an automated insulin delivery (AID) system is actively adjusting insulin delivery. Typically communicated as a percentage.
Control IQ -
Definition and description coming soon.
Correction Bolus -
A dose of insulin given to correct an elevated blood glucose level.
Correction Factor (Insulin Sensitivity Factor) -
The amount of blood glucose (mg/dL) that is lowered by one unit of insulin.
Discard Pod -
The DISCARD POD option (on certain pumps only) is offered if the PDM is unable to reestablish communication with the Pod after a communication error. This option allows the PDM to abandon that Pod and activate a new Pod.
Fingerstick -
A method used to test blood glucose by using a puncturing device (like a lancet) to take a small sample of blood from the finger.
Infusion Set (Insertion Set) -
A complete tubing system that is attached to the end of the cartridge of the pump and connects to the body at the infusion site, through which insulin is delivered.
Infusion Site (Insertion Site) -
The area on the body into which the cannula or needle are inserted.
Injection / Infusion Site Rotation -
Changing the places on the body where insulin is injected. This applies to either syringe injections or insulin pump infusion sets. Rotation prevents the formation of lipodystrophies (defects in the breaking down or building up of fat below the surface of the skin), which can result in lumps or small dents in the skin surface.
Insertion Device -
A device used to insert the cannula under the skin.
Insulin Duration -
The amount of time that insulin is active and available in the body after a bolus has been delivered. It is also used in the calculation for insulin on board (IOB).
Insulin on Board (IOB or BOB) -
Reflects how much insulin is remaining in the body from a previous bolus (or boluses) that will continue to lower glucose. It is also referred to as active insulin or bolus on board.
Insulin Pump -
A small medical device that delivers precise amounts of short- or rapid-acting insulin into the body in the treatment of diabetes. The two modes of delivery are basal and bolus.
Insulin Stacking -
Occurs when multiple boluses of insulin accumulate in the blood and may lead to hypoglycemia.
Introducer Needle -
A small needle used to insert the cannula under the skin and that is removed after insertion.
LGS Low Glucose Suspend -
A term for early automated insulin delivery (AID) systems that shut off insulin delivery when CGM values dropped below a given level. Also called Threshold Suspend systems.
Occlusion -
A blockage or interruption in insulin delivery.
PDM -
Personal Diabetes Manager (typically a pump).
PLGS Predictive Low Glucose Suspend system -
Similar to LGS, except insulin delivery is shut off based on predicted glucose values, not current values.
Pod Therapy -
A PDM that’s similar to traditional insulin pumps in some ways but are wearable, insulin-filled Pods that include a small cannula (like a tube) that inserts automatically. Often still referred to as a pump.
Quick Bolus -
A secondary way to deliver a bolus by following vibration and beep commands without navigating through or viewing the insulin pump screen.
Rapid-Acting Insulin -
A type of insulin with the most rapid onset (10 minutes), that works more quickly at lowering your blood glucose.
Reverse Correction (negative correction) -
For blood glucose levels below the Target BG, the Bolus Calculator (feature on some pumps) uses a Correction Factor to reduce a portion of a meal bolus dose.
Short-Acting Insulin -
A type of insulin that starts to lower blood glucose within 30 minutes after injection and has its strongest effect 2 to 5 hours after injection.
SIte Reminder -
A programmable setting to remind the pump user when it is time for an infusion set to be changed.
Syncing -
Pairing two devices so that they can communicate wirelessly with each other.
Target Glucose -
A specific glucose goal typically used to calculate a Correction Bolus.
Target Range -
An ideal glucose range for people with diabetes, and is defined as between 70mg/dL and 180 mg/dL.
Temporary Rate -
An insulin pump feature that allows a short-term adjustment to the basal rate.
Time in Range (TIR) -
The amount of time spent in a person with diabetes ideal blood sugar range. TIR is typically 70 and 180 mg/dL in a 24-hour period but can be modified for a variety of reasons. It is often expressed as a percentage.
Time Segments -
Specific time periods within a Personal Profile where basal rates, correction factors, carb ratios, and target glucose values are set.
Treatment Value -
Predicted CGM values that trigger predictive technology to act in order to help increase time in range.
Treshold Suspend -
Early automated insulin delivery (AID) systems that shut off insulin delivery when CGM values dropped below a specific level. Also known as Low Threshold Suspend or Low Glucose Suspend systems.
Tubing -
A flexible tube that allows insulin to flow from the pump to the infusion site.

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This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your diabetes care and education specialist or health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. To find a diabetes care and education specialist near you, visit the ADCES finder tool.

ADCES and danatech curate product specifics and periodically review them for accuracy and relevance. As a result, the information may or may not be the most recent. We recommend visiting the manufacturer's website for the latest details if you have any questions.

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