Analysis and Perspective of Dosing Accuracy and Insulin Flow Rate Characteristics of a New Disposable Insulin Pen,FlexTouch,Compared with SoloSTAR

Abstract

Pen injectors for the administration of insulin have been available since the 1980s. The first insulin pen, NovoPen®, was introduced by Novo in 1985 (http://www.novonordisk.com/about_us/history/step-by-step.asp). In the years since, insulin pens have seen innovation in both features and functionality, and many more manufacturers have entered the market. This analysis discusses several features and design alternatives of insulin pens and comments on a new study by Bohnet and coauthors in this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology that compared the dosing accuracy of the spring-driven FlexTouch® (FT; Novo Nordisk; insulin aspart) with that of the manually operated SoloSTAR® (Sanofi; insulin glulisine). The volumetric flow rate of insulin delivery with FT was also evaluated.

Keywords

design verification dose accuracy dwell time injection-site discomfort ISO 11608 pen injectors

References

International Organization for Standardization. Pen-injectors for medical use—part 1: Pen-injectors—requirements and test methods. ISO 116081: 2000, version 1.

International Organization for Standardization. Needle-based injection systems for medical use — Requirements and test methods — Part 1: Needle-based injection systems. ISO 11608–1:2012, version 1.

Bohnet

Schmitz

Kamlot

Abdel-Tawab

. D. Dosing accuracy and insulin flow rate characteristics of a new disposable insulin pen, FlexTouch, compared with SoloSTAR. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2013; 7 (4): 1021–6.

Van der Burg

. Injection force of SoloSTAR® compared with other disposable insulin pen devices at constant volume flow rates. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2011; 5 (1): 150–5.