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The barometric pressure during operation should be 50 to 106 kPa (500 to 1060 mbar). That means the theoretically allowed altitude range for the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump is 5.643 meter to -360 meter.

Early occlusion detection is an important factor for safe and effective insulin pump therapy.

• An occlusion is an unexpected event where the flow of insulin from a pump into the subcutaneous tissue is blocked.
• The patient is typically not aware that an occlusion has occurred.
• Due to missed insulin, a malfunction can often result in elevated bG levels, which if undetected can lead to hyperglycemia or Ketosis with the risk for the development of life threatening Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).¹

With its faster occlusion detection, the Accu-Chek Combo system may help to reduce the severity of hyperglycemia and minimizes the risk of ketoacidosis resulting from occlusions.

¹Guilhem I et al., Technical risks with subcutaneous insulin infusion. Diabetes Metab 2006, Vol. 32, p. 279 – 284.

It is possible to use the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump during air travels. However there are some aspects which need to be considered:

1. Please disconnect your infusion set during take-off and landing.

Rapid and extreme changes in air pressure, for example in an air plane that is taking off or landing can influence insulin delivery, especially if there are air bubbles in the cartridge or tubing.

1. Turn off Bluetooth communication between pump and meter to ensure flight safety instructions.

There are many accessories that let you keep the pump concealed. For women, a popular option is a bra pouch. It clips on the side of the bra and the pump hangs under the arm. This insulin pump pouch works well for formal dresses, sundresses and tank tops. There are also specially designed thigh and arm pouches. Some women just put the pump in a baby sock and tuck it into the front or side of the bra, or pin it under their clothing.  

^{The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Roche is under license.} 

Your healthcare professional will prescribe the insulin that is appropriate for you. An insulin pump delivers a continuous supply of fast-acting insulin, so long-acting insulin is not needed. Because fast-acting insulin has more predictable absorption than intermediate or long-acting insulin, your blood glucose levels can be better controlled.

Today's insulin pumps are about the size of a mobile phone and weigh only a few ounces. During the day, you can clip it to the waistband of your clothing or put it in a pocket. Some women even wear the pump in their bra. You have choices at night, too. Some people clip the pump to their pajamas, while others put it in a pocket or under their pillow. Many people simply lay the pump next to them.

An insulin pump is designed to deliver insulin continuously under the surface of the skin. It may also be referred to as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or CSII. A pump helps keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. A landmark scientific study showed that maintaining blood glucose levels at or near normal levels greatly decreases the likelihood of complications from diabetes.¹

¹Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. New Engl J Med. 1993;329:977-986.

Costs vary depending on your insurance coverage. 

Insulin pumps are proven to be safe. They have been used by hundreds of thousands of people around the world for years. Today's technology has only served to make them even better. For example, the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump performs over 9 million safety checks each day.

Good, or tight, control requires a balanced approach. Insulin pumps can certainly help you control your blood glucose level, but eating properly, monitoring your blood glucose and regular activity are equally important. The insulin pump doesn't take care of your diabetes—you do.

This is the amount of insulin delivered per hour that is required to cover your basal, meal-independent insulin needs. In insulin pump therapy, your basal rate is determined together with your doctor or healthcare team and can be adjusted to meet your individual physiological needs throughout the day. Your basal rate is delivered by your insulin pump according to the curve of your personal Basal profile or profiles.

The amount of insulin delivered (in addition to the basal rate) to cover the intake of food and to correct high blood glucose levels. The bolus amount is determined by your doctor or healthcare professional.

Insulin pumps have been available for decades. Today's insulin pumps, however, are much more advanced than early models. Modern pumps use the latest microprocessor technology to regulate insulin delivery and provide safety checks. For example, the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump performs over 9 million safety checks each day.

There are three things that determine how long it takes:

1. How well you understand diabetes care
2. How well you understand insulin pump therapy
3. How well you operate the pump

Understanding diabetes care involves the basic principles of nutrition, activity and medicine. If you're experienced in diabetes care, you probably already know these principles. If you're new to diabetes, you can attend an education program in your community—ask a healthcare provider for information on local sessions.

Understanding insulin pump therapy involves a training session with a diabetes educator and a personalized therapy plan.

Learning to operate the pump takes training and practice. Roche Diabetes Care offers a comprehensive training program utilizing an online or traditional workbook method with an assigned, certified trainer. The training consists of individual learning modules that can be completed at your own pace. In addition, we offer insulin pump manuals, as well as books written for insulin pump users.

There are several ways to find other insulin pump users. Ask your healthcare team about pump groups or pumpers you can talk to about their experiences. The Internet is also a valuable resource for contacting pump users.  

While you may feel a small pinch when inserting the set, many people find infusion set insertion more comfortable than giving injections. Once the set is under the skin, it is so comfortable that many people forget they're wearing it.

An insulin pump can be superior to daily injections for many reasons—the greatest being that its use provides for a much greater ability to manage and control diabetes. The insulin pump provides a continuous flow of insulin, which minimizes unwanted variation of insulin action you may experience with multiple injections. The pump also gives you a precise dose of insulin based on your current needs—even as those needs change.

However, despite the advantages of using an insulin pump, success stills depend on how well you take care of yourself. Eating well, staying active, testing blood glucose frequently are all important aspects of optimizing your health. When in the hands of a person committed to better health, supported by an experienced healthcare team, insulin pump therapy can make managing diabetes easier and far more flexible than ever before.

An insulin pump is attached to you with an infusion set. Depending on the design, an infusion set may have a steel or soft cannula. In case you use a soft infusion set, the cannula is inserted with an introducer needle that is removed immediately after insertion. Depending on the design of the infusion set, the cannula may be placed at a 90° angle or a 20-45° angle to the surface of the skin. An infusion set is generally changed every 2 (steel) to 3 (Teflon) days.

You may insert the infusion set in the abdominal area. Most insulin pump users rotate sites on their abdomen, as this area tends to have the best absorption. Consult with your health care provider to see if other sites are appropriate for you. Modern infusion sets are comfortable and easy to use, and there is a style for virtually every insulin pump user. 

No. Insulin pumps are worn outside the body. They do not require any surgery or invasive procedures and can be disconnected as needed.

You'll need infusion sets (the tubing and connectors to attach the pump to your body), cartridges for the insulin, adapters (which connect the cartridge to the infusion set), batteries, battery covers and blood glucose monitoring supplies.

The meter warranty provides against defects in materials and workmanship varies base on the country it was purchase in. If your meter malfunctions due to negligence, or if it is lost or stolen, you will have the opportunity to purchase a new meter.

The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump is fully functional without the meter and can be operated manually.

You can only pair the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter with your Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump.

Due to the design, there is no risk for the user to wear the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo pump in an area with those static fields.  If a magnetic disturbance occurs, the pump will alarm the user with an auditory and tactile warning (beep and vibration) and display an “E7” electronic error message. In this safe mode the insulin delivery is stopped immediately. After error confirmation the pump can again be started by the patient.

Theoretically a strong magnetic field can lead to a permanent defect in the pump but we have no known case of such defect.

No. You should never use your insulin pump near electromagnetic fields such as x-ray, computer tomography or MRI. Disconnect and remove your pump and leave it outside these areas. If you do not follow this instruction your pump can be damaged and quit operation.

Like other electronic and communications equipment, the Bluetooth service on the Accu-Chek Combo system must be switched off for the pump and meter if directed by the airline. While the Bluetooth service is off, the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump can be operated independently of the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter.

To turn Bluetooth service off on the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump, go to the Bluetooth Settings menu. On the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter, go into the Settings menu, then Meter, then Bluetooth. Follow the instructions given on the screen.

Yes. If you are traveling outside of the country, you may be eligible for a loaner. In an emergency, you can usually receive a replacement pump within 24 hours. Please call the Accu-Chek hotline for details.

The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump can withstand brief accidental water contact such as rain, water splashes or accidental immersion. Before taking a bath or going into a whirlpool, shower or swimming pool, you should disconnect and remove your pump. Your Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter is not waterproof and must be kept dry at all times.

The Accu-Chek Combo system complies with specific absorption rate (SAR) limits in Canada and the U.S. to eliminate any health hazards. The SAR limit for mobile phones and devices of this type is 1.6 W/kg.¹ The average SAR level of exposure from the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump is 0.00089 W/kg.

¹Federal Communications Commission. Radio Frequency Safety. Available at: www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/sar.html. Accessed June 22, 2015.

Absolutely. You can easily pair a new replacement Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter with your pump.

To help ensure safe insulin pump therapy, the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo adapter and battery cover should be replaced every 2 months.

The Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter uses 3 AAA (1.5V) alkaline batteries.

Battery life depends on Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump use, including daily insulin requirements, frequency of delivery and backlight usage.

For example

If used in a typical usage pattern of 50 Units / day using U100 insulin and normal operating temperature (23 °C ±2 °C [73 °F ±4 °F]) the battery life is approximately:

• Alkaline: 70 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 30 days for Bluetooth ® on
• Lithium: 200 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 80 days for Bluetooth ® on

NiMH: 100 days for Bluetooth ® off; or 40 days for Bluetooth ® on

The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump uses 1 AA battery (LR6 1.5 V AA alkaline, FR6 1.5 V AA lithium or 1.2 V rechargeable NiMH HR6 AA). You must select the correct battery type in the insulin pump setup when you replace your battery.

Do NOT use carbon-zinc, nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or super heavy duty batteries.

The Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter offers simple 1-time coding. You'll see that the red-and-white test strip package includes a black code key. Your meter should already have a black code key inserted. Just leave it in place. Your meter is already coded.

The Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter uses Accu-Chek Aviva test strips.

You can use U100 rapid-acting insulin.

No. The Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump uses a sterile, single-use 3.15 mL plastic cartridge. This provides the flexibility to choose the brand of U100 insulin you want to use.

The system is compatible with the Accu-Chek 360° diabetes management system, Accu-Chek Connect and the Accu-Chek Smart Pix device reader. 

You can configure the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump manually or by using a PC and Accu-Chek 360° insulin pump configuration software.

No. Your Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump can be paired with an Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter, and only those two devices will be able to communicate with one another. As a security measure, it's also not possible to pair more than one Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter with your insulin pump.

While the Accu-Chek Combo system has been designed to be used together for maximum benefit, both products can be used as stand-alone devices as needed.

You can experience the most benefit by using the pump and meter together. The pump can be operated as a single unit device. All the functions apart from diary/graphs and bolus advice are available on the pump itself. In some countries the pump is offered as a standalone device.

The bolus calculator provides a recommendation of insulin units to deliver based on your blood glucose value, carb intake and personal settings such as your insulin-to-carb ratio. 

When a warning is sent to the pump display, the pump will alert you by vibrating and emitting an acoustic signal. The warning will also be displayed on the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter, so you don't have to access the pump to see the warning and take appropriate action.

Approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet). If the pump has begun to deliver a bolus and it leaves the communication range, the bolus dose will be completed.

The pump and meter use a globally approved communication standard called Bluetooth^® wireless technology. This allows intelligent electronic devices to communicate with each other over short-range wireless links while maintaining high levels of security.

The Accu-Chek Combo system consists of the Accu-Chek Spirit Combo insulin pump and the Accu-Chek Aviva Combo diabetes manager to provide blood glucose testing, bolus advice, remote control of the pump and extensive data management capabilities. It's discreet, customizable to your own needs and designed to be easy to use.