Experiences with & Tips for using Tandem AutoSoft 90 sites

Diabetes Devices
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We’ve just switched to the AutoSoft 90 sites on my son’s Tandem t:slim x2 pump: AutoSoft 90 Infusion Set | Tandem Diabetes Care

It’s a very different approach to how we’ve done things in the past.

I was wondering if anyone has any helpful experiences/ tips they can share about the AutoSoft 90.

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I have used AutoSoft 90 infusion sets for many years and my current infusion sets are similar (90 degree site). I find them really helpful! Sometimes with contact sports, this is probably irrespective of the site type, I typically change my sites more frequently to ensure I don’t have a kinked/bent cannula under the skin.

Other tips would be to use Skin-Tac wipes if you notice any challenges with the level of adhesiveness.

My order for applying would be:

  1. remove the cover/cap;
  2. remove the tape;
  3. load the infusion set by pulling back the cartridge;
  4. remove the needle cover;
  5. put fingers over the indents on the infusion set cartridge;
  6. I actually find it easier to stick my finger under the plastic cartridge to ensure the infusion set is in place and;
  7. use the white part in the middle to pull the needle out.

Here is a video that might be helpful - the only thing I do a little differently is step 6 :slight_smile::

Hope this helps! Looking forward to hear what everyone else does!

Best,
Dessi

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Hi Tama!

I’ve also used AutoSoft 90 infusion sets (with a Tandem t:slim as well) for the past 4 years or so. When I was trained, the representative at Tandem gave me an easy mnemonic device to remember the order to unwrap the set: Red (the plastic wrap with the red stripe along the perforation), White (the circular piece that has the information printed on it), and Blue (the cap covering the cannula and tubing). :united_states:

In the past, I’ve used Skin Tac adhesive wipes (like Dessi mentions above) to help with keeping the sites on longer, especially in the summer when the weather may impact how the sites stick to sweaty skin. However, after a while, your comfort level with the stickiness of the adhesive may grow - placing the site in a “flat” section of skin where clothes won’t frequently rub against the site will help.

I sometimes have to remember that when inserting the cannula, the tubing (already unraveled) must NOT be notched in the little dip along the blue inserter - keeping it docked there may cause tugging on the tubing when you actually insert the site. If you just rest the tubing (without any slack hanging inside the blue inserter) along the bottom instead, it will be an easy insertion.

Remember that, if needed, AutoSoft has options on the length of tubing available (23 inches or 43 inches) - if you find that you’d like a longer or shorter tubing with each set, you can ask to receive those in your next shipment!

Lastly, I think the easiest way to “unclip” for things like swimming, showering, or maybe changing clothing is by holding the skin around the site slightly in place with one hand and pressing firmly on both sides of the clip while pulling it free with the other. This can take some practice, but my best advice is to make sure the adhesive has had the chance to stick for a little while to the skin (or rather: press down on the site a bit and run your fingers as close as you can to make sure the adhesive is sticking well) before you try and unclip.

I hope this helps!

-Lindsay

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Thank you @DessiZ & @insulindsay - I really appreciate your responses.

Last night was the second time we’d used the AutoSoft & it went smoother than the first one!

I’ll share your feedback with the family & we’ll see how the next site change goes.

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Tama I’ve used the AutoSoft 90 for about 4 years as well

Here are some tips in no particular order:

  1. I use Skin-Tac pre insertion, I do not ever touch the adhesive part with my fingers, and with that it’ll last in a shower or sweating in summer or even a hot tub (less than 15 mins)

  2. I generally order two tubing lengths three of the 23" and one of the 48" I use the 48" when I KNOW I’ll be dressing in a suit of a couple of days.

  3. Leave the insertion site alone for at least 3-4 hours if possible it seems most fragile then.

  4. When in doubt replace your site…this one has bitten me more than I care to share

  5. I stretch out my tubing Prior to filling..to help get the circular twisting that can happen with the 48" set. I hold either end of the tubing and gently stretch the tubing so that it doesn’t twist.Mind the sharp end.

  6. If you need to I believe they offer both a 6MM and 9MM insertion needle, sometimes switch those does help.

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine

-Eric

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Hi Tama,

Everyone has shared some really helpful tips! One thing that has always helped me prevent kinks when using the AutoSoft 90 Infusion Set is making sure the metal needle is clearly visible after removing the blue needle guard. I also like to gently press down on the adhesive tape to ensure it’s secure and the needle is properly positioned before insertion. This helps make sure the needle punctures the skin directly, rather than the plastic cannula, which can cause kinks.

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