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Bubbles in Tubing

While air bubbles themselves will not harm you, there could be a risk of high glucose (BG) if air is infused in your body instead of insulin. Small or champagne-sized bubbles are not a concern. If you see large bubbles or gaps of air in the tubing, please proceed to the troubleshooting steps below.

Troubleshooting Air Bubbles:

1. Check to make sure that the t:lock connector is in line with and tightly attached to your infusion set tubing.

demonstration_of_how_to_tighten_the_tlock_connector_on_the_infusion_set.png

2. If you see large air bubbles or gaps, disconnect your infusion set at the body.

*Tip: During normal pump use, do not disconnect from the t:lock connector (number 1 in image below), as this may bring in air into the tubing. If you need to disconnect your infusion set, please do so from the site on your body (number 2 in image below).

image_of_the_tlock_connector_attached_to_the_pump_alongside_an_image_of_where_to_disconnect_from_the_infusion_set.png

3. Point the cartridge and tubing upwards to allow any bubbles to move toward the top of the cartridge so that they are pushed out during the next step.

illustration_of_the_cartridge_and_tubing_pointing_upwards.png

4. Ensure that your infusion set tubing is disconnected from the site on your body, then navigate to  Options > Load > Fill Tubing on your pump screen. When prompted, select  FILL, then START. Watch your tubing, and when the large air bubbles/gaps are gone, press STOP.

fill_tubing_pump_screen_when_loading_a_new_cartridge.png

5. If large air bubbles or gaps remain after filling the tubing, load a new cartridge onto your pump using proper load technique.  Be sure to follow the tips below to reduce the likelihood of air bubbles. 

 

Cartridge Fill Tips (t:slim X2 insulin pump):

  • Use cartridges only once; do not refill them.

  • Use only the syringe that came with your cartridges.

  • Use room-temperature insulin.

  • Make sure there are no visible cracks in the cartridge.

  • Make sure there are no visible air bubbles in the syringe.

  • Remove residual air from the cartridge before filling.

    • Note: there should be insulin in the syringe before air is removed from the cartridge. Check out step-by-step instructions on filling and loading a cartridge for more information. 

illustration_of_removing_residual_air_from_a_cartridge.png

If you are still seeing large air bubbles after completing these steps, please contact  Customer Technical Support. 

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