Did Medtronic do away with their 3 day autosoft 90 infusion sets? I purchase the 7 day infusion sets but I like the Autosoft sets because when a set isn’t working I reinsert it on the needle of the autosoft insertion part.
Not an answer but a question; is it necessary to use Medtronic’s infusion sets with their pumps?
(My endo just suggested I look at a tubed pump; I’d assumed that the tubes were generic!)
The tubes are not the issue, it is the connector to the pump. Tandem uses a proprietary connector having moved from the standard Luer lock. Medtronic uses H-Cap,Mini Med and possibly Luer Lock. Anyway Medtronic sets won’t work with Tandem or vice versa.
It’s an evil plot and I’ve heard that all the sets are manufactured by one company, not Medtronic or Tandem.
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Thanx @luis3 I didn’t know that. I won’t repeat my previous comment about the need for standardisation. I do wonder though if some people with 3D printers have models for the various connections; a 3D printer costs a lot less than $300/month!
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That’s what I thought!
Sometime back I cobbled together a T-Lock to Luer Lock adaptor. It would work but was entirely too much trouble to do regularly. Plus I don’t know how hygienic it would be.
It’s not entirely true. The spring loaded connector on both the silhouette and the vari soft are the same. The tubing is different tho. So if you are using that type of set at least the cannula portion can be used with either
I use the Silhouette infusion sets. I fill my reservoir with enough insulin for six days. After 3 days, I replace only the cannula and run for another 3 days on the same tubing. You buy the cannula only which is much cheaper than the whole set.
I also change the Silhouette cannula multiple times for each reservoir/tubing change.
I use a Medicare DME supplier (Medtronic itself). They only sell complete infusion sets so I am forced to waste unused tubing pieces but the time I save with the avoided tubing/reservoir changes make it worthwhile.
Do you use commercial insurance? Which company provides you with cannula only supplies? (Google failed to identify any active cannula only suppliers.) Are you in the US?
This is not an urgent issue for me but if there is a way I can avoid waste, I must ask.
Huh. I’m surprised that you can’t find a supplier.
I am in Canada. My pump supplies are covered under the Ministry of Health’s Assistive Devices Program. I order from, of course, a Canadian company called Diabetes Express. I imagine that any shipping charges incurred would cancel out any savings to be made. Or, you could move to Canada! 
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I’m guessing that the Silhouette cannula-only product is viable in Canada and not in the US. I checked the Diabetes Express website and it is currently sold out of this item.
Not a big deal for me. I was just looking for the potential to avoid waste. I get my pump supplies as part of the US Medicare durable medical equipment program and do not have any out-of-pocket costs for this transaction. I do however pay monthly premiums for this part of my Medicare coverage.
I’ve been using the Silhouette infusion sets since 2016 – they’ve been very dependable and great performer for me.
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I like the Silhouette too, been using since 2010. Tried the Sure T, but found it painful sometimes. I think it’s good to find out how others stretch out their dollars and what the limits actually are of the pump supplies that we are using.
I recently went on a 4 month trip and discovered that I had one box of cannulas that should have been full sets. I did bring extra, but I was still worried about running out. For two reservoir fills I filled it for 9 days. Changed the cannula after 3 days then again after 6. No problems at all with the tubing. It was a good experiment.
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@Frantastic – Interesting to see how your unintended trip experience showed you how to make life a bit easier!
I fill the 300-unit reservoir all the way to the top, usually start at about 296 units. I only use about 28 units/day. I aim to change my infusion site every 72 hours. I actually change my infusion site/cannula 3x per each reservoir/tubing. I have had zero problems with the quality of the insulin and no tubing occlusions.
I have noticed that I get fading absorption when I miss my 72-hour change target and my glucose level drifts up to 110+ at times when it usually is in the 70-99 range. This observation motivates me to pay attention to the calendar and change the site when prompted!
A 10-pack of reservoirs lasts me over 100 days, with the typical 90-day supply (30 reservoirs) lasting 300 days. In order the keep the supply and usage reasonably balanced, I only order reservoirs about once per year.
The economic motivation is nice but the real benefit is the time I save not having to switch out the reservoir and tubing for every 72-hour site change. In addition the resorvoir/tubing change occurs separate from the site change eases the burden. I’m sure you also value this benefit. Anything to lighten the constant upkeep demands!
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Aha! I just may start doing that on a regular basis too. I’m all for anything that makes life easier.
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I do the same - I use about 30U a day, and change inserts every 3 days (or sooner if bg goes up). I hate having to throw out the tubing. At one time you could order just the inserts, but was told I could no longer do that because the prescription was not written that way. I did not think that I could only reorder the tubing sets - I have a lot of carts sitting in the closet. I am also on Medicare.
Mike