Blood backwashing up the tube?

T1D Tech & Daily Management Support
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I’m on the T:slim using 23’ TruSteel, in the pigtail blood backwashed from the needle up the tube. I have never had that happen before? has anyone else? I took a picture of it, but no need to post that…is this some reason to contact Tandem?

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Mary @Disco2 , I suggest that you call Tandem, not that they could do anything other than offer suggestions to you, but so this event will be properly Event Logged.

I haven’t used trusteel sets, but occasionally have had a little blood ooze out BUT NEVER have I seen blood push up into the tube. You must have hit something real good, powerful enough to displace some insulin flow. A couple of decades ago, with a Medtronic infusion set I got a very heave flow of bright red blood but it didn’t make it into the tube.

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Thanks Dennis, I reported it via the support form. If it needs to be discussed they probably will give me a call. M

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hi @Disco2 the phenomena is called “capillary action” the small diameter of the steel (or plastic, it can happen to both) causes water based fluids, in this case blood, to be “sucked in”, the other thing that’s happening is diffusion, the action that a concentration of a fluid causes a pressure which tends to make the concentration diffuse (spread out). so when you put the set in it is likely you were very close to a blood capillary, the blood could enter the steel set by capillary action (not blood capillary) and then diffuse up to the cannula. It happens to me rarely but it happens. if the set works I leave it, if it doesn’t work I change it… it is not a Tandem issue at all there’s nothing wrong or defective with the set, you randomly got close to a blood capillary when you put the set in. you’re getting a chemistry and physics lesson you never wanted! :grinning:

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Your words read like a slow release sleeping pill…lol. thanks. I feel much better and will monitor my site for irritation as usual. M

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I’m giving a lecture on flammable refrigerants next Tuesday in Manhattan, I guess you won’t come? :rofl:

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honestly, on the edge of my seat…that must be some concoction in the fridge…labeled DO NOT EAT, I hope.