After finally realizing that I didn’t have to use the insets sent to me by Animas, and trying as many different insets as I could - the Orbit Micro WINS! Not only is it much less plastic in the landfill, my absorption with the steel is SO MUCH BETTER than with the Teflon (which also made me itch like crazy), and therefore my bolus amounts are SO MUCH LOWER.
I also love the 360 spinning (no tangles), the blue tube (bubbles show up better), although you can get clear, and the fact that when you disconnect, it is self-closing, and finally, it’s simple. http://www.orbit90.com/orbit-micro.asp
Looks neat! Wish we could get them in Canada.
Hi Anne -
According to Carleton (here on Tu), they ARE available in Canada - He says, “go to www.insulinpumps.ca which is the exclusive Canadian distributor owned by insulin pumpers, based in Mississauga, Ontario. They deal directly with the pharmacies and will get it to your pharmacy for you. Ask for Beth there. The Orbits are 25-30% less expensive than the others and are quite amazing…”
Carleton is the one who first told me about the Orbit insets. I’m in Florida, so I just called Orbit direct and asked for some samples. They found an approved supplier for me and had them shipped. Then I told my doc I wanted to switch and it was handled.
Yes - they are in Canada. I got some samples back in November after meeting up with Melany Hellstern from insulinpumps.ca (her email address is melany@insulinpumps.ca or 905-608-9100) at the IDF congress in Montreal. Email her - and I’m sure she will help you out. Tell her FatCatAnna (aka Anna Kiff) sent you - she’ll remember me I think (she almost hired me - but I lacked communication skills I think).
These are hands down my favorite sets as well 
I was kind of mixed on the regular orbits, but the micros are really great… I much prefer them to the contact detatch.
Ya know, I just didn’t get it on the contact detach - why would I want TWO things stuck to me? Maybe it’s me…but it took me just a few hours to rip that sucker out LoL!
Sarah - maybe you can answer this, since I’m a fairly new pumper. How do you determine whether you need 5mm or 9mm?
We haven’t tried these yet, but if you go to their site and request a sample, you’ll get a box of 10! That’s pretty darn generous. The Ping insertion sets have so many steps, they’re crazy cakes!
You can get them in Canada. I order mine from Diabetes Depot:
https://www.diabetesdepot.ca/estore/page,shop.browse/category_id,1/
If the URL doesn’t work, just go to www.diabetesdepot.ca, click on “Animas” and scroll down. I usually wait until I have a few things to order to avoid the $20.00 delivery charge. You don’t need a scrip to order them either.
Sarah, how long do they last for you?
I can get 3-4 days out of a steel set with very little irritation (as opposed to a teflon set where it itches like mad after 24 hours). I’ve yet to get a “no delivery” with either the contact detatch or orbit micro’s.
The “spots” heal very quickly and personally I’m not too concerned with scar tissue at this point… with as much trouble as I’ve been having with infusion sets lately, when I get a “good” one - I want to KEEP it in!
I went with the 5.5 when I got my Orbit samples… the 8/9mm seems pretty long. I can sometimes feel the 6mm on the contacts so I wouldn’t want to go longer.
I just contacted www.insulinpumps.ca and got 4 free orbit micro infusion sets sent directly to the Safeway Pharmacy in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Took 1 week. No prescription. The reps are really nice there. I think it works out to $153 CAN$ for 10.
Can’t beat a 31 gauge, 5.5 mm length needle. Especially when you have a 4 year old. He starts the pump AUG 24/2010.
Glad you like it. I’m way past 4 and have to use the 8.5, but I love it! I find I really have to change religiously to maintain a good flow, but that was true for any of the sets I tried. Good luck with your adorable little boy and the pump!
Cheri
I sent away on the website for the samples about a week ago and have not gotten them yet. I was the same way - figured since Animas made the pump I was stuck with having animas send supplies. Not sure if Liberty Medical carries the Orbit but no reason not to have animas ship some things and Liberty others. Did you by some chance get samples from their website. Just wonder how long it takes.
When you start the whole diabetes process you know nothing about it. I still am learning after almost 1 1/2 years. I researched but didn’t even think about the defference between steel and teflon. I would figure steel would hurt (less flexible) if you move a cetain way because sometimes the teflon will bend when sitting or changing cloths. Another question - do you need an inserter or do you have to do it manually (pinch the skin etc). Also, you mention obit micro but I read the site that takes about the Orbit 90. Not sure if they are the same but with different names.
Hi Keith -
I began with the Web site and then someone from Liberty Medical called me, but as it turned out, since I only wanted samples at that point, I wound up with an ICU Medical person (makers of the Orbit). Now I’m going to be getting supplies through a distributor my insurance approved. I can email my ICU contact if you like.
I hear ya!!! It’s a good thing I’m a natural born researcher!
I figured steel would hurt as well, but it hasn’t hurt me at all, which I believe is because I use it in the stomach area. I never notice it, even when bending or being active. Having said that, I have stockpiled a few other types for certain activities. For example, I still use a teflon inset on my upper thigh when I’m going to the pool or the beach - the inset is hidden by my river shorts and the pump is in the shorts pocket, until I decide to go in the water - then it’s easy to detach and the pump stays with my shorts. And even though I I REALLY HATE the Contact Detach, I.also sometimes use it for water sports or amusement parks (for quick detachment before roller coasters, etc.). So you might use different insets for different situations or purposes. My advice would be - try as many as you can get your hands on and see what works best for you at various times. Finally, with the Orbit 90 (which is the micro), you do not need an insert; it is manual. By the way, I started out with the 5.5 cannula, but found, since I don’t use it in “lean” areas, I needed the 8.5 cannula.
Take care,
Cheri
Wait, wait. There’s an error in your beautiful advice. Orbit90s are not the same as Orbit Micros. The needles on the 90s are larger and, as I recall, the cannula is teflon. My daughter tried one of those and refused to ever use another. We’re using Micros now (thanks to you Cheri) and the needle is little bitty and very fine, and the cannula is metal (steel, I guess).
When you go to the website www.orbit90.com and request a sample, you need to write in the comments section that you want the micros, otherwise you’ll get a sample of 90s. They send you a sample box of 10, which is great.
As I recall, a couple of weeks before the samples arrived.