Pump cannulae and infusion sets: what are the differences?

Cannulae (the plural form of “cannula”) are the tubes we stick into ourselves to infuse insulin from our pumps. They’re either made of steel or flexible teflon.

Some go straight in (90˚) and are available in 6 or 9 mm lengths. Some are a lot longer. Today 6 mm is a common recommendation, although longer ones are sometimes used for a variety of reasons.

Some go in at an angle and thus the same length cannula won’t reach as deep. For example the Unomedical cannulae sold as Medtronic Silhouette, Animas Comfort, and Accu-Chek TenderLink are available in 13 and 17 mm versions. At a 30˚ insertion angle these roughly equate to 6 and 9 mm depth (although they’re apparently approved for insertion from 20˚-45˚ so there can be some variation). The Animas Inset 30 has a 13 mm cannula and its integrated inserter should get you fairly close to 30˚ every time.

There are many different styles of cannula, and usually peoples’ choices are based on the style and insertion method (and the models available for their particular pump) rather than the thickness of the actual cannula. Personally I currently use a variety of cannulae, both 6 mm straight-in and 13 mm angled.

“Infusion set” vs “cannula”

Just to clarify the terminology: the cannula is the tubing that goes into us. An infusion set is generally the cannula combined with the tubing to attach it to the pump. Sometimes the terms get mixed up, but there is a difference.

Cannula thickness

If you haven’t yet read the article about needle gauges, you might want to do that now. Those gauges are used to describe cannulae as well. The numbers produced by manufacturers tend to have some basis in reality, but often the numbers are cherry-picked to make them look better.  Remember: “bigger numbers must be better”.

A steel cannula is basically like a hypodermic needle (although the tip usually has a different design): it’s stuck into the body, and then insulin flows through it. So the “gauge” of a steel cannula is hard to argue with. But a teflon cannula is a different beast.

Accu-Chek FlexLink tip

A teflon cannula has a steel “introducer needle” down its centre (the needle wears the cannula like a sleeve). The combination is inserted into the body in a single rapid motion (so the teflon goes along with the needle without kinking) and then the introducer needle is removed. The insulin then flows through the flexible teflon tube where the needle was. But here’s where the marketers get to play games: do they advertise the size of the cannula, or do they advertise the size of the introducer needle? Which one will sound “better”?

I did find documentation on the Cleo 90 which described it as having a 28G needle and a 26G cannula. No-one else seems to mention the issue. But the answer seems to be that they almost all advertise the size of the needle.

As an example, I measured the introducer needle of the Medtronic Silhouette as 27G, although when including the teflon sleeve it was coarser than 24G (it’s hard to be precise, as the micrometer started to deform the teflon when tightened). Once the introducer needle has been removed, it seems fair to consider the internal diameter of the Silhouette cannula as being equivalent to 27G (even though strictly speaking the Birmingham Gauge only applies to outside diameters).

However, Roche describe the Accu-Chek TenderLink as having a 27G cannula (despite the needle measuring 27G). The Animas Comfort (the same set as the TenderLink and Silhouette, manufactured by Unomedical just with different connectors) is advertised as 25G.

And Roche describe the FlexLink as having a 25G cannula even though I’ve measured the diameter of the needle as close to 0.41 mm (27G) rather than 0.51 mm. The FlexLink needle+cannula together seem to have a diameter closer to 23G than 25G! The Medtronic Quick-set is the same.

It’s a bit of a mess. Usually they’re referring to the size of the needle, but sometimes even that’s incorrect.

Steel cannulae available in Australia

Because it gets complicated comparing the gauge of steel and teflon cannulae, I’ve separated the lists. First the steel cannulae currently available through NDSS, with their “outside gauges”.

Infusion set Gauge Length
Ypsopump
Orbit micro 31G
0.26 mm
5.5 / 8.5 mm
Cellnovo
 (same as Orbit micro?)  31G?
0.26 mm
5.5 mm
DANA pumps
Easy Release II 27G
0.41 mm
7 mm
Medtronic pumps
Sure-T 29G
0.34 mm
6 / 8 / 10 mm
Animas Vibe and Accu-Chek Spirit (and DANA with luer adapter)
Rapid-D 28G
0.36 mm
6 / 8 / 10 mm
Sure-T 29G
0.34 mm
6 / 8 / 10 mm
Contact Detach
(same as Sure-T)
29G
0.34 mm
6 / 8 mm

The tiny Orbit micro is interesting. I have heard feedback from users overseas that because of its thin-ness it’s slightly flexible and is more comfortable to wear than some of the other steel cannulae.

Teflon cannulae available in Australia

Remember, these gauges are probably those of the introducer needles inside the cannula itself. So maybe we should think of these as their “inside gauges”. Do note that some of the gauge numbers here differ from those shown on the NDSS list of infusion sets!

Infusion set Gauge Length Orientation
Ypsopump
Orbit soft 27G
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
DANA pumps
Soft Release ST 24G
0.57 mm
19 mm angled
Soft Release O
(same as Orbit soft)
27G?
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
Cellnovo
 (same as Orbit soft?) 27G?
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
Medtronic pumps
Quick-set 27G
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
Silhouette 27G
0.41 mm
13 / 17 mm angled
Mio 27G
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
Animas Vibe and Accu-Chek Spirit (and DANA with luer adapter)
Quick-set 25G
0.51 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
FlexLink 27G
0.41 mm
6 / 8 / 10 mm straight
Silhouette 27G
0.41 mm
17 mm angled
Comfort, TenderLink
(same as Silhouette)
27G
0.41 mm
13 / 17 mm angled
Inset 30 27G
0.41 mm
13 mm angled
Inset II
(same as Mio)
27G
0.41 mm
6 / 9 mm straight
Cleo 90 28G
0.36 mm
6 / 9 mm straight

As noted, the Inset II and Mio infusion sets only differ in the connection to the pump. Here’s a photo of them side by side: the extra lump on top is merely to house the bulky Medtronic connector (and protect the central needle).

Several of Medtronic’s other infusion sets (Quick-set, Silhouette, and Sure-T) are available to suit luer-lock pumps, because Medtronic’s earlier 507/508 pumps used that connector. But not all variants are available in that form.

There are other cannula types available outside Australia of course (for example the Mio 30 which is essentially an Inset 30 with Medtronic pump connection,f and the Mio Advance). If you do an internet search for cannulae you may come across those, but I’ve limited this list to those available through Australia’s NDSS.

Are the gauges actually correct?

I cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the figures in these charts, but they are as correct as I have been able to determine. If you look closely at the NDSS order forms you may see some typos (at least in April 2018) such as describing the DANA Easy Release II as a 17G cannula (although the manufacturer describes it as 27G, and a 17G needle would be 1.47 mm wide). The Medtronic Silhouette as 27G, plus the Roche inconsistencies as described earlier.

I think these errors are quite old and have probably been copied to a few other sites over the years. But I think we can cut NDSS some slack, given the inconsistencies that actually come from the vendors themselves!

I have measured the actual gauge of the introducer needles for the following cannulas:

27G Inset II, Mio (both)
FlexLink
OrbitSoft
Quick-set
Silhouette, Comfort, TenderLink (all three)
28G Cleo 90

Does the cannula gauge actually matter?

Other than the comfort issue described above with the 31G Orbit micro, I think most people don’t pay much attention to the gauge of the cannula, paying more mind to the choice of length. Pumps generally infuse insulin much more slowly than pens, so the earlier discussion of the drawbacks of fine pen needles probably doesn’t apply. But cannulas stay in the body for much longer (the advice is generally teflon for up to 3 days and steel for up to 2 days) and it could be possible that in some people certain cannula designs are more prone to occlusions than others.

Also while the difference in size between a 24G introducer needle and 28G is fairly significant, the differences between 26G/27G/28G are much smaller.

Some people choose teflon for comfort, some choose steel because they don’t get kinks. While some people have no choice because they’re allergic to one of them.

Other reasons to choose cannula models

As you can see pump compatibility, cannula length, gauge, and cannula material (steel vs teflon) are all factors. But there are of course more.

Some people may have skin reactions to the adhesive used around different cannulae.

The insertion procedures vary for each of these models, and we need to be comfortable with sticking ourselves with one of these cannulae every few days!

The combination of the above factors can result in some people encountering high numbers of occlusions and “kinks” needing replacement of the cannula. Not only is the rigmarole of inserting another cannula a pain, but having hours of your insulin not working is a major life disruption! If this frequently happens, either a change in technique or a change in cannula model can help. Not necessarily changing from teflon to steel, although that can be one of the options.

Some sets are available with shorter or longer tubing (to attach to the pump) and this can give you more flexibility in arranging your clothing and your pump.

The packaged infusion sets vary in size, and especially when travelling this can make a big difference. For example although I’ve used the Inset II / Mio sets for years, they take up a fair bit of room (each has an integrated inserter device). The main reason I also use the Comfort/Silhouette sets is that I can easily have one stashed away as a spare, as well as having a complete set of them for a multi-month trip in my carry-on luggage while still leaving space for all the other gear I have to carry!

Silhouette and Mio sets

10 thoughts on “Pump cannulae and infusion sets: what are the differences?”

  1. Hi,
    You mention the Luer lock adapter for the Dana pump (right to left hand thread), could you possibly tell me where these can be sourced?
    I found a picture on a forum and have scoured the internet looking for a source, but can’t find anywhere to buy these from worldwide!
    Thanks Adam

    1. There was one official one, but SOOIL has since withdrawn them. Apparently when cannulae are screwed in that direction it can transfer stress down into the drive mechanism (in the direction the mechanism is not designed to turn). Their use was associated with enough warranty problems that they’re now not supported.
      A 3D-printed version was made and distributed last year, but they stated breaking apart (the plastic had to be too thin in one important part) so they’re not an option either.

      I know some people modified their original adapters (with a lathe and then gluing in luer thread taken from a syringe) but the bottom line is that use of any adapter like that will void the pump warranty.

  2. Thanks for the info David. That explains why I have been totally unable to find anything on the internet!
    Not sure you could damage the pump with a right handed turn when attaching a Luer because the reservoir is fixed in position inside the body and can not rotate once the top cap is screwed on, so the drive mechanism can’t be damaged.
    I suspect that it was more to do with Sooil wanting to make sure you only can use their own infusion sets with the pump, rather than any warranty claim issues.
    I run an engineering company doing CNC machining (lots of medical work), so I might just draw up the part and produce a batch of adapters, they could made in Aluminium so they woudn’t break.
    It would be very nice to be able to chose from all the other Luer lock infusion sets available on the market.

    1. I’m prepared to believe their story a bit. The reservoir is “keyed” so it can’t rotate freely, but even small movements could result in unwanted torque down in the drive gearbox (which I believe has plastic-teethed gears) in the base of the pump.

  3. If you were to rotate the reservoir even slightly in the hoising, all it would do is move the piston in the reservoir up or down a tiny bit. And if the gears in the pump arent strong enough to move the piston, then the pump wouldn’t function. The most you can rotate the reservoir is about 1-2 degrees, the thread pitch on the push rod is 0.5mm, divide that by 360 gives you the thread movement per degree, which = 0.0013mm. The thickness of a piece of paper is 0.1mm, so you are talking about 100th of the thickness of a piece of paper (approx). That isn’t going to damage the gearbox as there will be more play in the gears than that. So I’m not convinced! I’ll pop a post on here when I manage to get some adapters made. I’m not a huge fan of the Dana infusion sets and the option to change would be great.

    1. I don’t think the thread pitch of the “push rod” is relevant here. I gather the issue is in the plastic gearbox underneath (which you’re proposing a 1-2˚ movement on) being designed to only ever turn in one direction. It never goes in reverse (you rewind the push rod manually in these pumps). What might that movement in the “wrong” direction do? Even if it worked most of the time that wouldn’t be the problem: it only has to fail once to become a problem.

      1. Sorry, but if the gearbox could be damaged by screwing in a right handed Luer fitting, then it would equally be damaged by unscrewing the standard left hand Luer fitting, which you do every time you fit a new infusion set.

  4. Jonathan Hemoniadis

    Amazing article and very very informative!! I have just one question though and I can’t find any answers on the internet…

    Is it me or both Medtronic’s and Tandem’s infusion sets are very look alike? I mean, when both infusion sets of Medtronic and Tandem are compared you find very few if any differences. Is it Medtronic who supplies Tandem with infusion sets and vice versa?

    Is there somewhere where I can find more information about that? I know that if you ask straight both Medtronic or Tandem about this they will never give you a straight answer….

    Thank you once again for your article!!!!

    1. In those cases you’ll find that both sets are made by Unomedical (part of ConvaTec). They make infusion sets for most of the pump companies. The pump connectors on the end of the tubing are different of course:

      Medtronic Silhouette, Tandem VariSoft 30, Accu-Chek TenderLink, Animas Comfort.
      Medtronic Mio, Tandem AutoSoft 90, YpsoPump Inset, Animas Inset II.
      Medtronic Sure-T, Tandem TruSteel, Animas Contact Detach.
      etc…
      Even the Medtronic Quick-set which is not sold under any other brands is made by Unomedical.

      Non-Unomedical sets include some of the SOOIL ones, as well as the Cleo 90 and the Orbit family. Possibly also the Accu-Chek FlexLink and Rapid-D.

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