Disetronic D Tronplus Power Packs
The Disetronic D-Tronplus is a mechanical insulin pump, manufactured by Disetronic Medical Systems Inc, designed to automatically administer uninterrupted and consistent subcutaneous delivery of insulin medication to patients diagnosed with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, otherwise known as IDDM or Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The Disetronic D-Tronplus insulin pump derives its energy to perform via the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs, also manufactured by Disetronic Medical Systems Inc.
To gain knowledge of how the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs work with the Disetronic D-Tronplus insulin pump, you must first understand the disease process of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, and how it affects the person diagnosed with this disease.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disorder of the endocrine system, that is characterized by the body's inability to utilize insulin sufficiently. Insulin is produced by the beta cells in the pancreas, and is a physiological requirement that converts glucose into energy to be used as fuel by the cells of the body.
The hormone insulin is released by the pancreas in response to high levels of glucose, or sugar in the blood. In the presence of diabetes, the body is unable to manufacture the insulin required for this process. Therefore, blood sugar levels begin to rise outside of the normal parameters, resulting in an extremely high blood glucose level. In addition to this, the patient begins to show symptoms of hyperglycemia, which demand immediate medical attention. Left untreated, consistently high blood glucose levels can lead to life threatening complications, resulting in coma and even death. Diabetes Mellitus is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Other complications of uncontrolled insulin dependent diabetes include limb amputations, stroke, and heart and kidneys failure.
How the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs work:
The Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs generate the power that drives the Disetronic D-Tronplus insulin pump to inject a continuous delivery of insulin to the patient diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes. The method of administration is via a subcutaneous needle placed on an area of the abdomen. The needle is connected to specialized tubing, and the tubing is connected to the pump that gets its power from the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs. The pump is programmed to deliver a specific dosage of insulin according to the needs of the patient, and works to replace the process the body is incapable of performing.
The idea behind using insulin pumps is to give the patient more freedom to enjoy life without the necessary restrictions of eating meals at the same time every day or having to stop and check their blood glucose levels three times per day, as well as administering the required insulin injections. Using the Disetronic D-Tronplus Insulin Pump, the insulin dependent diabetic no longer needs to plan to their life around an insulin schedule to keep serum glucose levels under control. This provides for a better quality of life for the patient. However, this is contingent upon the dependability of Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs to provide the power needed to enable the pump to run efficiently. If the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs fail to provide this power, the pump fails and the patient is denied the insulin coverage needed for survival.
Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs Recall:
In 2006, the FDA and manufacturers of the Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs issued a Class-1 recall of the power packs, due to failure to deliver the power to its companion, the Disetronic D-Tronplus Insulin Pump. The Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Packs failed to operate correctly, effectively shutting off the administration of the required insulin supply to the patient. The problem with the D-Tronplus Insulin Pump occurred when the manufacturer, Disetronic Medical Systems Inc, changed the design of its power pack.
The Disetronic D-Tronplus Insulin Pumps are equipped with a vibrating alarm system designed to warn the patient when the pump is low on power or has no power. Apparently, this failed to work as well, since the pump didn't recognize the power failure and the alarm was not activated.
According to an update released by the FDA on 09/20/2006, "Recall classified as Class I because the potential of the pump's power pack to fail may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death." The power packs would suddenly shut off without the knowledge of the patient, causing interruption of insulin delivery, leading to uncontrolled high blood glucose levels, which could result in serious harm or death to the patient.
If you have had a Disetronic D-Tronplus Power Pack and Insulin Pump, and have suffered ill health or other complications as a result of the defective product, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney who specializes in faulty or recalled medical device law. They can help you decide whether or not you have a case against the maker of the pump, and can take that case to court if so.
