I'm trying for the first time the Sof-Set Micro infusion set. I hate the minimal instructions that come with these sets from Medtronic... Anyhoo, they come with 2 different adhesives: one says IV3000 on it and the other has a checker board pattern to it. Could someone please tell me what the difference is between the two? Am I supposed to use both? Is one better in certain situations?

I really appreciate the help from someone with first-hand experience. Thanks.

I use the SofSet. I just use the tape with the white backing and have no trouble with just the one. I used to use both, just because they were there, but found the orange backed one sometimes gets gooey after a day or two.

I have two old boxes of Sof-Sets that I have recently started to use up. So far I've only used 3 or 4 of them. I've been using both tapes because I know from experience that those individual dressings don't hold too well for me, especially now that it's summer. I've been putting the rectangular one down first then the IV3000 over that at a slightly different angle.

I just wanted to add a comment to this thread. I received my first samples of Sof Sets a few days ago and tried one. I was impressed enough with the design and quality of the sets that I asked MM to trade a box of Sof Sets for my last box of Sure-T's.

Concerning this thread and others casting a bad light on the supplied tape with the Sof Sets, here is my only worry about the Sof Set design. Basically, this is just a smaller size Quick Set, with smaller base diameter of the set against your skin. The add-on tape is necessary because the base of the set isn't big enough to hold onto your skin surface with any security.

The slight problem that I foresee is, even with the added tape, the amount of plastic protruding from your skin surface can be knocked loose by a blow or abrasion with your mattress while sleeping. This does not happen with a Quick Set because the base of the plastic set is larger in diameter, the adhesive on it is much lager in diameter, and the set has an oval shape that does not catch easily on clothing or bed covers/mattress. The Sof Set has about the same height protruding from your body, but does not have the same smooth oval contour- has more of a knobby protrusion with a lot of vertical surface edge area to catch on any abrading cloth surface.

So, to make it more closely match the smooth oval surface of a Quick Set, just apply your choice of additional tape to cover the whole infusion set like a snug fitting tent. There is no need to punch or cut a hole to fit over the plastic set body the way the tape supplied with the set has a hole.

I called MM today to ask what would happen to a Sof Set that is completely covered with tape, including the hole left by the insertion needle? Answer- nothing at all. Leaving that needle hole open to the air is not necessary. By completely covering the whole infusion set with additional tape, you get a smooth oval surface that will resist sideways abrasion from removing the set.

After a month or more of troubles with Sure-T infusion sets, and three "no delivery" alarms in one box of sets, I used only Quick Sets for about 6 weeks without a single problem. But I wanted an alternative set to mix in from time to time, and felt that that alternative had to have a plastic cannula. I don't care for the Mio's because of the waste of an inserter for each and every set. So the Sof Sets looked like the answer, and I will use those combined with quick Sets from now on. As a Mechanical Engineer, I like the simplicity of the design of both the Quick Set and Sof Set. Now that the Sof Set has been redesigned and is back in stock, I will continue to use them. I even ordered a Sof Serter, because the quick action of a mechanical spring-actuated inserter is more pleasant and less painful to use than stabbing myself with the spike needles.

I've never caught the plastic knob of the Sof-Set on anything and actually find those to be less likely to get caught than the Quick-Set, since there are absolutely no rough edges on the Sof-Set. I no longer have any Quick-Sets to compare but I thought the Sof-Set had a lower profile. I've avoided using any of my remaining Sof-Sets for awhile because the tape sweats off me in hot, humid weather. I'll go back to using up my stock soon. I can't say I see any reason to use the Sof Set over the Quick-Set is the QS works. With no extra tape needed it's much faster & easier to insert a QS. Back when I first got the Sof-Sets I did have some kinked cannulas just as I had with the Quick-Sets but the problem didn't seem to happen as often.

I like the introduction needles on the Sof-Sets. I always want to find a corkboard and use them as push pins! Also, if you have the plunger from a reservoir you can use it to enclose the Sof-Set needle in an emergency. Turn the needle upside down so the pointy end is up and push the hollow shaft of the plunger over it. I have no idea why I ever did that but it locked in perfectly when I tried it.

I use sof sets. I put the tape with the hole in it on the skin after wiping with IV prep. I insert the cannula thru the hole in the tape with the inserter, hold the cannula wings down, and remove the needle. Then I put the other piece of rectangular tape over the site, making sure a short piece of the tubing has tape on it as it hangs downward. Then I cover all of that with one piece of Tegaderm film. That makes it neat and flat and you cannot knock it off or pull it out without pulling up on a corner of the tape.

I used to use IV3000 but it wrinkled in the shower and came off with sweat in summer. The tegaderm is better, not perfect, but better.

Do you have Opsite Flexifix? It's a clear film made by the same company that makes IV3000 but it's smooth like Tegaderm, not textured like IV3000. It comes in a roll (they have different widths available) and you cut the length you need. I find that it holds better than Tegaderm and holds much, much better than IV3000.

Liz, I will check with Liberty Med but don't think they have it. Also, I am not sure I want to deal with cutting the tape and keeping it straight! And separating the cover from the tape--hard with short nails?! But I may look at using it in the summer especially. Thanks much.

Opsite Flexifix is available from Amazon.com- 2" X 11 yards about $24. A 2" section would provide a 4" X 4" piece, and a roll of 11 yards would last a long time. I have not needed it yet, but if I do, this is where I will get it.

Cutting the tape is easy and I seriously doubt mine are ever perfectly straight! I usually round off all 4 corners once I cut my piece. I also bite my nails and have never had any problems applying the tape and removing the cover. There's a paper covering on the bottom/sticky side. You peel that off (there's a seam down the middle, so no nails needed!) and stick it down over your skin or whatever it is you're covering. Press it in places, and then peel off the thinner, plastic pieces on top. Again, there's a seam down the middle so it's actually 2 pieces and easy to remove.

The flexifix is sounding better. What I meant by keeping tape straight was keeping it from folding onto itself after the cover is removed. I will order a roll next time I do amazon, to try it.
Thanks to both of you. And sorry about getting this thread off track. I hope Fran got her question answered!

Maybe bringing Karen's reply back into discussion can help Frantastic and me, a new Sof Set user as well. I am taking the tape with the white backing to mean the really stretchy, rectangular shaped tape with three sections to the backing. After completely screwing up the first one of those that I tried, I realized that the center section of backing needs to be removed first, carefully, and then the two smaller outside pieces of backing are used as handles to center the whole piece over the infuser knob. Once the center is stuck over the set and is holding some of the tubing stationary on the skin, the side pieces of backing can be removed, carefully, and stuck down. This stuff really does not want to behave and will stick to itself with the slightest chance.

Now, for the people who apply one of the tapes to the skin FIRST, then stick the set through the tape hole, I tried that with no success yesterday. I used the tape with one curved edge, and only one piece of card-stock backing. Applied it to the skin, poked the infusion set through the hole. The objective here seemed to be to give the adhesive on the bottom wings of the plastic set a better surface to stick to than skin. It seemed to work OK, and then I applied the sticky-stretchy rectangular tape over the sent to finish the installation. The bottom layer of tape installed first seemed as if it were designed to aid adhesion of the set body, and then the free (unstuck rounded end) could later be used as a handle to quickly remove everything, in one motion, at the next time for a set change.

It didn't work that way though. In the middle of the night, the infusion site was stinging a little so I got up to wee what was going on. The entire sticky side of the first layer of rounded-edge tape had lost all of its adhesive and the set was pulled out and just hanging by a corner of the top layer of sticky-stretchy tape.

So, pray tell, what is the rounded edge, card-stock backing piece of tape for? It seems to be totally unreliable as far as holding anything at all and does not seem to help the infusion set stay in place. ???? And Fran is right, the pictographs and minimal text are completely vague about the proper sequence and manner of installation.

I don't get why folks are putting the tape on first and then the set?!? I take the middle square off the tape, put it on the corner of the area I am working in so it's not disturbed, peel the little papers off the set wings, pop a set directly into my site area, put the tape down over the set, remove the introducer needle and then pull the two little side papers off the tape. Wah Lah, set lasts for days and days...and days

I've been doing this for a very long time, and I have never snagged a set, caught the little bump on something, washed it out, etc. The IV3000 is saved for in case I mess up the white tape, but that is a rare occasion. I prefer the white backed tape.

Thanks Karen,

When you use the IV3000, does it come off your skin? This is really bugging me- following another member's technique of placing the IV3000 down first, then poking the set through the tape hole so that the set bonds to the top of the tape, and then covering everything with the thinner rectangular tape seemed like a good idea and seemed to work. In the middle of the night, the IV3000 just came completely off along with everything else. There wasn't even enough adhesive on the underside of the IV3000 to feel sticky to my fingers- as if the adhesive magically disappeared over a few hours.

Make sure you get the 4" rather than the 2". The 4" is very easy to take apart which is not the case with the 2".



How do you get a 4" x 4" piece from the 2" roll?

I don't use the IV3000 tape at all. Unless I mess up the other tape, that is, then I'll use it. I agree, that IV3000 tape is not adhesive sound for very long, as soon as it is wet the adhesive begins to deteriorate. I don't put anything underneath the site area, I just clean it and go. That tiny little white paper tape is like super glue (on me anyway), it doesn't come off until I rip it off.

Thanks again Karen. My first Sof Set sample worked well when applied just as you described. I only tried the IV3000 stuff because it sounded like a good idea to use as a platform for better adhesion of the Sof Set, based on another forum member's suggestion.. Your confirmation that the adhesive of the IV300 just quits working backs up my experience with it. Reality shows that that tape is a complete waste of time.

I hope I post this correctly. I have had problems w/ the IV3000 tape, too. It simply fails
when wet. This problem started about 7 months ago. The tape has worked well
until then. I've made valid complaints to Minimed, but they simply tell me to purchase
more tape! At $63 a box, Tagaderm works flawlessly. Unfortunately, Minimed will not
take steps to exchange this tape for the IV3000 in their Sof-Sets. I've considered using
a different brand of insulin pump. Has anyone ever used a brand other than Minimed?
Are they orderable within the U.S.?
I'd appreciate any helpful response.

You missed a whole forum here: "Pump Specific Discussions". All available pump brands are discussed in that forum.

to our forum.

Changing pump brand because you don't like the tape supplied with one of their sets does not make any sense at all!
There are other tapes you can buy.
There are also other sets that do not require the IV3000 type tape.
I suggest that you call the HELPLINE (not the order department) and ask for samples of all the other sets. You may find one that you like more than the sof sets.

Many of us like Hypafix tape. It is the tape that is built into most of the sets. It allows your skin to breathe underneath the tape. It comes on a roll and is not expensive at all. I found the cheapest price at Amazon.com.

Linda B.

I think that he's more angry about MM's "we don't care" attitude on his complaint about the crap quality tape, and is looking for a pump maker who is concerned about bad quality and bad customer opinions.

I have kept my thoughts to myself about MM service over the last couple weeks since I posted my outrage last!! I had a manager call me and be very understanding and apologetic; he was suppose to follow up with me on the phone a week later. Another week has passed; glad it wasn't important! Nothing's been done on my situation; they sometimes can't find my info, it seems. I called again yesterday and they have no idea what's going on with my past problems, which were supposedly fixed 4 weeks ago.

Pretty sad service and ability to not understand the customer's frustration......very sad!!

Peter B., you do understand. I've been a paying customer of MM for 12+ years.
Their eagerness to rectify problems or make suggested changes to keep their clientelle (sp?)
has caused me to desire to take business elsewhere. I was just interested in
learning about other suppliers and how their pumps compare w/ MM. I've been pleased
w/ MM , just not so much lately especially since the IV300 tape fails consistently.
I believe MM should either change the tape in the Sof-sets or offer a box of
tapes (such as Tagaderm, which perform w/ excellence) free-of-charge to
replace those in the sets.

Another change I had suggested was to have an option to use or not to use
the light function. This is the #1 reason batteries lose their juice before they should.
My Paradigm light comes on when my pump states I have 2.2 units left.
In reality, I have 24.2 units left, as trials and error has proven.
So, as a 30 units/day insulin user, the low-reservoir alarm turns on the
light at every alarm for about the final 18 hrs. of that reservoir supply.
Because I don't always hear that alarm, the light stays on for the length
of time it has been programmed by the pump developer.

If I sold a product that was defective, I'd make changes to rectify the
problem in order to keep my customers reasonably pleased.

To go back to the OP - the topic was directed at an explanation about why there are two different tapes included with the SofSet. I wonder this myself. Then I see all the different ways folks use these different tapes.

I have used this set since 1990, and survived all the various changes that come along with 'improvements'. Years ago the set began showing up with only the IV3000 tape, the white backed one was not included. That was a problem apparently because it changed again and now both tapes are included in the package (thank goodness!). The reason there are other options is because when an adhesive product doesn't work for an individual, they need to find something that will work. I suppose the only way to find out is to trial and error for yourself.

The product is not defective. Neither the pump or the set. They work just fine for many people. I don't want MM to change the tape - it works perfectly for me. The SofSet is the original set for pumpers if memory serves me and it is my preference to this day. I hope that MM does not take complaints without considering it's long time users who have never had a problem

If the pump and the durables aren't working, by all means get another product. But please don't force changes on tried and true products that DO work for many of us.

If the tape doesn't work for you perhaps you need to try something else. Obviously it does work for other users. You should call the Helpline (not the supplies department) and ask for infusion set samples.

As for the pump, if it is still under warranty you need to call the Helpline and have it replaced. But with Low Reservoir warnings the units are in whole numbers without decimals. There is no 2.2 units setting. Something is wrong.

I was wrong when I said the low reservoir warnings did not use decimal points. Indeed they do. It's the low reservoir setting that only uses whole numbers but if your pump is giving you incorrect amounts you need to have the pump replaced.

After all of the good reviews of Opsite Flexifix tape on this thread, I bought some from Amazon. The vendor was "MedicalMega" in New York, and the price was $26.58 for a 2" X 11 yards roll. The guard tape liner on the bottom is white and opaque, stamped "Remove First". When you remove the liner and stick the tape over your infusion site, the top guard liner is split down the center and removes very easily. This is very good stuff! It would be great if MM would just send a 2.5" strip of this instead of the useless IV3000.

Opsite Flexifix is good but that price seems quite high, especially for the 2" wide roll. I've gotten all of my tapes from eBay and don't recall how much I paid, but I know the 2" wide roll was under $20. Same for Hypafix.

Thanks Liz, you're right, my Amazon price was high. I checked Ebay and found this:
will buy on Ebay next time I need it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OpSite-Flexifix-Transp...=item3efc729946

I think that may be the seller I bought from last time. I know I ordered 4 rolls of tape, both sizes of Opsite Flexifix & Hypafix (4" & 2"). It made the shipping charge worthwhile by ordering multiple items. I know people have mentioned a seller on Amazon with good prices as well.