polyfin bent needle

[butterflykisses]

Does anyone have experience with the polyfin bent needle infusion sets? Like are they "metal", comfortable, have less of a failure rate than others like the quickset?

[Dewey]

I must say that I personally like the Polyfin bent needle sets. My personal favorites are the Rapid-Ds, but if you're using the MiniMed Paradigm series of pumps, they won't work with the luer lock connection (unless you use the Thinset reservoirs).

Here are a couple of reasons why I like the needle sets better:

1. If you insert it into a spot that's not working or doesn't feel right, you can simply remove, clean (or not clean, lol, your choice) and re-insert.

2. With Tegaderm or other clear tape securing the set, it's easier to see whether it's in place or not.

3. If the adhesive becomes wet, simply remove & re-apply. With other infusion sets, we don't get that luxury, really.

4. Per personal experience with both the Polyfins & the QuickSets, I say that the Polyfins have way less of a failure rate than the QuickSets. Just my .02! :)

These are just a few reasons I like the needle sets better. The Polyfins are great. If nothing else, would you be able to get some samples from MM?

[butterflykisses]

Thanks for the reply...yes, I'm sure MM will send me samples. Need to call them and find out whether they're available for the MM508. I have a brochure that only shows it for paradigm but on the website they have them listed in the 400/500 area. I was not aware that you could get them elsewhere. I like the quicksets but have a lot of problems with them. The sils fail less, but still have problems with them. When I pull them out they'll have a bend in them. I started thinking maybe metal needles would be less likely to this...but then wonder how comfortable they'll be. I mean, if the reason the cannulas are bending is because it's hitting "firm" tissue, like muscle, what's a metal one going to feel like???

[Dewey]

I've also used the Sils, but have found them to be the most painful of any set. In fact, until they made the shorter versions (or other companies did, like the Disetronic Tender Mini), they were longer than the bent needle sets. :eek: The main thing I love about the needle sets is that they really don't fail (and if they hurt or do fail, you can just move them to another spot).

They have them for the 508 series of pumps, and because they have a standard luer lock connection, they can be used on any pump, except the MM Paradigm series.

I've found them on places like eBay and other online sources, but prices (other than on eBay) don't deviate much from what MM charges. Unomedical makes the same set, with a different name (the Basic), and theirs may be cheaper. However, I've not purchased that type of set from them, so am not sure on that.
They're definitely worth a try. Each person is different, so they ultimately may or may not work for you, but if nothing else, at least you've tried. Hope I've been of some help. :)

[spike]

Does anyone have experience with the polyfin bent needle infusion sets? Like are they "metal", comfortable, have less of a failure rate than others like the quickset?

I can't tolerate the bent needle any more so than I can the Sils. I switched from 15-18 months use of Quick Sets to the new Sure-T's. they work only with Paradigms, but another company sells much the same thing for the luer lock style pumps. So far (about 4-5 months usage) I've had just one Sure-T get clogged, and my wife had one clog, but she left it in too long--4 days. Recommended set change interval is 2 days on the Sure T's because they are metal. I go 3 w/o problems. Very comfortable and inexpensive.

[butterflykisses]

I can't tolerate the bent needle any more so than I can the Sils. I switched from 15-18 months use of Quick Sets to the new Sure-T's. they work only with Paradigms, but another company sells much the same thing for the luer lock style pumps. So far (about 4-5 months usage) I've had just one Sure-T get clogged, and my wife had one clog, but she left it in too long--4 days. Recommended set change interval is 2 days on the Sure T's because they are metal. I go 3 w/o problems. Very comfortable and inexpensive.
can you tell me what the name of the other company is that sells the sure T look alikes? I went to minimed and tried to see a picture of them but there's only a tiny image, so I have no idea what I'm looking for. Sorry to be a pest, I'm just tired of going through a box of quicksets to get one to work! And minimed is NO help! They have the worst customer service, unless you're calling to order something, then they couldn't be more helpful!

[butterflykisses]

I've also used the Sils, but have found them to be the most painful of any set. In fact, until they made the shorter versions (or other companies did, like the Disetronic Tender Mini), they were longer than the bent needle sets. :eek: The main thing I love about the needle sets is that they really don't fail (and if they hurt or do fail, you can just move them to another spot).

They have them for the 508 series of pumps, and because they have a standard luer lock connection, they can be used on any pump, except the MM Paradigm series.

I've found them on places like eBay and other online sources, but prices (other than on eBay) don't deviate much from what MM charges. Unomedical makes the same set, with a different name (the Basic), and theirs may be cheaper. However, I've not purchased that type of set from them, so am not sure on that.
They're definitely worth a try. Each person is different, so they ultimately may or may not work for you, but if nothing else, at least you've tried. Hope I've been of some help. :)
YES! the sils hurt like heck when putting them! That's why I like the quicksets so much, they really don't hurt, at least not usually. You have been very helpful, thanks a lot.

[Dewey]

can you tell me what the name of the other company is that sells the sure T look alikes? I went to minimed and tried to see a picture of them but there's only a tiny image, so I have no idea what I'm looking for. Sorry to be a pest, I'm just tired of going through a box of quicksets to get one to work! And minimed is NO help! They have the worst customer service, unless you're calling to order something, then they couldn't be more helpful!
Unomedical offers the Contact Detach, which is just like Rapid-Ds or MM Sure-Ts. Here's a pic & the site:
http://www.autocontrol.com/diabetes_products/images/side_contact.jpg
Click on Contact (arrows) in image (http://www.infusion-set.com/)
They are offered in 6, 8 or 10mm needle lengths, and have different tubing lengths as well.

Here's a pic of the Rapid-D with the cover on the needle. It is also a luer lock infusion set and comes in the same needle lengths:
http://www.diabetesstore.com/images/products/rapid-trans-cap.jpg

[spike]

can you tell me what the name of the other company is that sells the sure T look alikes? I went to minimed and tried to see a picture of them but there's only a tiny image, so I have no idea what I'm looking for. Sorry to be a pest, I'm just tired of going through a box of quicksets to get one to work! And minimed is NO help! They have the worst customer service, unless you're calling to order something, then they couldn't be more helpful!

I'd be shocked if the absolute truth was known, that the Quick Set didn't turn out to be the worst infusion set ever made. Last year I had no problem with them, but this year they keep kinking. Of course MM won't admit there's been any change in them.

[Diana]

I love the polyfin bent needle sets! If it wasnt for them, I wouldn't be pumping. Personally, I find them completely comfy, as long as you have them in a good spot. And like Dewy says, if you get a bad spot, its just a matter of pulling it out and trying again. I have trouble sticking a set in quickly, as yu have to with all the cannula type sets, so the polyfin suits me perfectly. I'd say give it a go, and you may be suprised at how good they are. I thought the idea of having a metal needle in 24/7 was terrible when my educator first suggested it to me, but I was really amazed at how comfy they are. I've used soft sets and quick sets before, and still prefer polyfin by far. And I guess in a way they have a 100% success rate.. you really cant kink a metal needle, no matter what you do! =)

And as far as the needle length thing goes.. I also find the polyfins comfy, because as they are angled, if you bump the skin above the needle, the needle doesnt actually dig further in and 'stab' you like with a 90 degree set. I used to find that if I leaned on somethig with a soft set in, you would get that uncomfy poking feeling, but I dont get that with the polyfins. And the polyfins sit just about completely flush with the skin too, which lessens the liklihood of you bumping them, and also makes it easy to conceal under clothing.

Ok, thats probably quite enough of me carrying on about how great I think polyfins are... good luck!

Ok, one last thing I should add.. you dont get quite as much wear out of a metal needle set as you do a cannula. Its reccomended that you change every two days, rather than 3 with a cannula. (I generally leave mine in longer than that though - YMMV)

[spike]

Ok, one last thing I should add.. you dont get quite as much wear out of a metal needle set as you do a cannula. Its reccomended that you change every two days, rather than 3 with a cannula. (I generally leave mine in longer than that though - YMMV)

That's the recommendation, but they go 3 days in adults. Kids are having trouble going 48 hours on them because of their stronger immune systems.

[poodlebone]

I've never used the polyfin needle sets. I think that they're the cheapest set so if I ever lost my insurance, I'd probably give them a try. I've read that some people will leave it in for a couple of days then move the same needle to a new site and leave it in for a few more days.

Like Spike, I've used the Sure-T's as well and really like them. Mostly I'm using the Silhouettes and have no problems with them. I have a stock of the 17mm cannulas left to use but then I'm switching to the shorter 13mm sets. I'll alternate those with the Sure-Ts, which I leave in for 3 days with no problems.