Patch-pump technology to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus: hurdles to market acceptance.

The recent development of novel "patch"-type insulin infusion pump (IIP) technologies has created an opportunity to improve the quality of life for a broader type 2 diabetes patient demographic. At first glance, type 2 diabetes patients represent a large percentage of the total diabetes patient population; however, adoption of traditional IIP products and multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy has remained limited amongst this patient segment. With an insulin reservoir, delivery system, and cannula integrated into a small, wearable, disposable or semidisposable device, patch pumps simplify traditional IIP therapy, while potentially offering therapeutic benefits over traditional MDI therapy. Herein, potential benefits of patch-pump technology for type 2 diabetes patients are considered while outlining the hurdles to broad product adoption that will likely limit the near term commercial opportunity.