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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 automatically adjust insulin in response to glucose readings, essentially mimicking the pancreas. This is known as closed-loop therapy.
Read on to learn more about how a closed-loop insulin pump can offer added convenience and freedom to diabetes management, as well as which tools are best for you.
Table of Contents
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- What is a Closed Loop Insulin Pump?
- How Does a Closed Loop Insulin Pump Work?
- Hybrid vs. Fully Closed Loop Systems
- Benefits of Closed Loop Insulin Delivery Systems
- Closed Loop System and CGM Compatibility
- 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 does a closed loop insulin pump mean?
- What is a hybrid closed loop insulin pump?
- What is a fully closed loop insulin pump?
- What is the best closed loop insulin pump?
- What CGM works with the Tandem insulin pump?
- Is Dexcom G7 compatible with Medtronic insulin pump?
- What Insulin Pump Is Compatible with Dexcom G7?
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 better glucose control.
How Does a Closed Loop Insulin Pump Work?
A closed loop insulin pump acts like an artificial pancreas. It mimics how a healthy pancreas works by maintaining ideal blood glucose levels with minimal manual input. A closed loop system provides more consistent glucose control day and night to reduce highs and lows, support greater daily freedom, and promote better 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, which means 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, making it the closest option to an artificial pancreas.
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 take the guesswork out of diabetes care.
Benefits of Closed Loop Insulin Delivery Systems
There are numerous benefits to using a closed loop insulin delivery system for people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Key advantages are hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia prevention, improved glycemic control, enhanced quality of life, and peace of mind.
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 is reduced or paused. This smart automation helps prevent dangerous blood sugar swings, making daily life more predictable and manageable.
Improved Glycemic Control
Studies have shown 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 leads to better long-term outcomes, such as a reduced risk of diabetes complications. This includes 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 can also help reduce diabetes stress, improve sleep quality by preventing nighttime lows, and offer greater flexibility in routines, travel, exercise, and meals.1
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. For example, iLet Bionic Pancreas, Tandem t:slim X2 and Omnipod 5 insulin pumps are great options for the Dexcom G7.
iLet Bionic Pancreas
The iLet Bionic Pancreas fully closed loop insulin pump that works with Dexcom G6 and G7 CGMs. It uses built-in algorithms to automatically adjust insulin based on your glucose trends, meal needs, and correction doses—no carb counting required.
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 CGMs. This integration helps predict glucose trends and proactively adjusts insulin delivery, providing peace of mind and greater control.
Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System
The Omnipod 5 hybrid closed loop insulin pump is also compatible with the Dexcom G7 and is tubeless, discreet, and convenient. This system uses SmartAdjust technology to automate insulin delivery and adapts to your personal glucose trends.
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, the Dexcom G7 is not compatible with Medtronic insulin pumps, but future updates could change that.
Closed Loop Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
For those living with Type 1 diabetes, closed loop therapy offers a significant improvement in quality of life. A closed loop insulin pump can reduce HbA1c, lower the risk of hypoglycemia, and offer more predictable glucose control.2 Whether using a hybrid or fully closed loop insulin pump, users 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 can make Type 2 diabetes management easier by reducing the need for frequent blood sugar checks and improving consistency.
Choosing the Best 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 prefer a tubeless design like the Omnipod 5 for a lower profile and more freedom of movement. Others value the customizable features of the Tandem t:slim X2, which offers precise control and customization features.
Both closed loop insulin pumps offer integrated CGM functionality and are compatible with Dexcom G7. 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 can make a big difference in diabetes management. This combination helps reduce diabetes burnout, supports better time in range, and creates a more stable daily routine. It also forms the foundation of today’s artificial pancreas systems, which work to fully automate insulin delivery and improve long-term health outcomes.
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 the Dexcom G7. 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 the best 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 with the Dexcom G7, Advanced Diabetes Supply is here to help.
Get started today and explore how closed loop insulin therapy can 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. A great fully closed loop insulin pump is the iLet Bionic Pancreas. It works with Dexcom G6 and G7 CGMs.
What is the best closed loop insulin pump?
The best closed loop insulin pump depends on your individual needs, but two top hybrid options include:
- Tandem t:slim X2 – A hybrid closed loop insulin pump that works with Dexcom G7, offering strong closed loop insulin delivery performance and predictive algorithms.
- Omnipod 5 – A tubeless, wearable option that is compatible with Dexcom G7. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a combined insulin pump and CGM with fewer tubes and more freedom.
What CGM works with the Tandem insulin pump?
The Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump, one of the best closed loop insulin pump options available, is compatible with the Dexcom G7. This pump features Control-IQ technology, which interprets CGM data and adjusts insulin delivery automatically.
Is Dexcom G7 compatible with Medtronic insulin pump?
No. Currently, the Dexcom G7 is not compatible with Medtronic insulin pumps. Medtronic uses its own Guardian CGM system for its closed loop insulin delivery system. However, as technology evolves, future compatibility may change. Keep an eye out for updates from Medtronic manufacturers.
What Insulin Pump Is Compatible with Dexcom G7?
The Tandem t:slim X2 and the Omnipod 5 are the most widely used closed loop insulin pumps with Dexcom G7. Both options support closed loop insulin delivery and represent the latest in automated insulin delivery systems.
