Tubing Solutions for Insulin Infusion

Infusion sets are arguably the most important part of successful pump therapy because they must provide constant insulin delivery. An occluded or delaminated tube, for example, can interrupt delivery and result in dangerous conditions. Pump therapy users under the circumstances could be exposed to significant and potentially fatal hazards: interruption of insulin infusion can result in hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis; conversely, delivery of excessive insulin can cause severe hypoglycemia.

Tekni-Plex Healthcare’s Medical Multilayer Tubing with TPU Outer Layer

Tekni-Plex Healthcare’s medical multilayer tubing product with TPU Outer Layer Construction is a three layer tube. It is comprised of a thin polyethylene inner layer, has an ethylene acrylic copolymer tie or bonding layer to eliminate the risk of delamination, and has an outer layer that is made of polyurethane. This is a globally patented product and was developed as an alternative to two-layer TPU/PE tube configurations.

The ethylene acrylic copolymer tie layer coupled with the polyurethane outer layer also gives the tube more elasticity versus other multilayer tubes. This is a benefit in the end use application because the tube can withstand a tensile shock event such as an infusion set getting caught on something such as a doorknob. The specific material layers used in this configuration were also chosen to most effectively limit any preservative loss and extend the usable life of insulin.

Configuration with the Ethylene Acrylic Copolymer Tie Layer

Significantly reduces risk of tubing delamination due to tensile shock event

100% Inline Extrusion ID Monitoring

Significantly reduces risk of insulin interruption due to full or partial ID set occlusion

Unique Material Characteristics

Extended infusion set life due to lower meta-Cresol absorption and adsorption (including material diffusion)

Advantages of Multilayer Tubing with PU Outer Layer Construction

Delamination Resistant 3-Layer Construction with EMAC Tie Layer
100% in-line inspection of tubing ID for any occlusions or anomalies
PVC Free
Oil free air compressor (Tube ID)
ID air filtration using paper filters
Extrusion performed in a Class 100,000 clean room
UV sterilized water filtration (bioburden and pyrogenic micro pore filtration)

Tekni-Plex Medical Multilayer Tubing with Polypropylene Outer Layer

Another unique tubing solution that is also patented for use in dual hormone insulin delivery systems is Tekni-Plex Healthcare’s Polypropylene Based Outer Layer Construction. Dual hormone delivery systems also deliver glucagon in addition to insulin, which must be suspended in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). DMSO is known to dissolve all known typical materials utilized in insulin pumps/tubes; however, Tekni-Plex Healthcare’s newly patented product does not degraded in DMSO and can also be solvent bonded to polypropylene based fittings and luers for a complete DMSO resistant fluid path.

Advantages of Multilayer Tubing with Polypropylene Outer Layer Construction

DMSO and NMP Resistant Tubing
Solvent Bondable to Polypropelyne Fittings and Luers
100% in-line inspection of tubing ID for any occlusions or anomalies
PVC Free
Oil free air compressor (Tube ID)
ID air filtration using paper filters
Extrusion performed in a Class 100,000 clean room
UV sterilized water filtration (bioburden and pyrogenic micro pore filtration)