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Alert: Product and Recall Notices6 Steps For Taping Your Enlite Sensor
Properly applying your Enlite overtape plays a key role in helping keep your sensor in place. Just as important, your Enlite overtape should be applied after the sensor is inserted, but before connecting the transmitter to the sensor. These 6 steps walk you through applying your sensor overtape to help reduce transmitter movement and protect the sensor and transmitter connection. A printed copy of these tips can also come in handy when you’re changing your sensor away from home and need a refresher.
Step 1: Prepare the Overtape
Remove the larger protective white paper from the Enlite overtape backing.
Step 2: Place the Overtape
2A: Hold the overtape
2B: Apply the adhesive to the rounded part of the sensor and the skin
2C: Stretch the overtape around the connector so that it lays flat against the sensor’s adhesive pad
Step 3: Secure the Overtape
Remove the protective white paper from the sides of the overtape, and smooth the adhesive to the skin. Apply firm pressure for several seconds (a minimum 5 seconds) to ensure the sensor stays properly aligned in the skin layers.
Step 4: How the Overtape Should Look
4A and 4B show the Enlite overtape securely holding the sensor in place. For the best adhesion results, reapply firm pressure for several seconds across the entire overtaped area.
Step 5: Connecting the Transmitter
5A: Connect the transmitter to the sensor.
5B: Wait for the transmitter to flash.
Step 6: Adhering the Transmitter
Remove the adhesive liner and place the adhesive flap over the top of the transmitter. It’s important you do not stretch the adhesive flap during this process.
Sometimes during wear, the adhesive pad beneath the transmitter may loosen. Sensor movement or pullout is one of the leading causes of inaccurate readings. Here are a few other options for applying additional tape that may help reduce transmitter movement. You should always be sure to regularly check your sensor site to ensure the overtape is holding the sensor securely on your skin.
Enlite Overtape Enhanced Taping Method
The front section of the Enlite overtape should be centered on top of the transmitter, while the back section sits entirely on your skin. Press firmly down on the adhesive, for best results.
Tegaderm
Option 1, Option 2, Option 3
Option 1, Option 2, Option 3
For a live demonstration on enhanced Enlite taping methods, you may find this video helpful. Do you have any questions about taping your Enlite sensor? Let us know in the comments below!
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Editorial Team
LOOP Blog Editorial TeamAt Medtronic Diabetes our vision is to transform diabetes care together for greater freedom and better health. Each word in that statement is important – including the one “together”. We’re a group of passionate people working hard to make a big positive impact on the lives of those with diabetes. But we can’t do it alone. Collaboration is key. With healthcare providers, academic institutions, non-profits and other companies. And, most importantly, with you – the people who live with diabetes every day.
I recieve a 3 month supply of the sensors at a time. The tape provided with the enlite sensors works wonderful! I find it works well and secures the transmittor usually for the 6 or sometimes 7 day period. Usually i use 2-3 pieces of tape. I didn’t realize that additional tape could not be perchased from Medtronic. One of the boxes of sensors sent didn’t work out to well – Medtronic ended up replacing 4 of them. Ontop of just finishing off a hotter and more humid than usual summwr in the northeast. (I find it’s impossible to keep the transmittor secure if i sweat a lot.) Well guess what, I learned that Medtronic does not sell additional packs of overtape. I am running low on the overtape and looking for an alternative. Anyone have any ideas? To me the IV3000 seems heavier than the overtape and i can’t seem to find something similar to the Medtronic overtape. Anyone have any suggestions for a tape that is strong like the overtape will last a number of days and that is fairly thin?? I really would appreciate the feedback. Thanks!
Rick, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with sensor adhesion, and can imagine this can be frustrating. Seasonal climates, skin lotions/creams, trapped moisture or different clothing may affect your tape adhesion or the way your body reacts to it. Here are Enlite alternative taping tips you may find helpful to try: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/res/img/pdfs/940M11776-013-Additional-Enlite-Tape-Tips.pdf. I’ll have a member of my team reach out to you to try and help as well.
The picture in Step 1 needs to be revised. If you take the backing off the tape in this fashion the tape will inevitably bend and stick to itself ruining a perfectly good piece of tape. My CGM trainer showed the class a much more effective method. Put the tape in the palm lengthwise with the hand (running parallel with the fingers). Then, using the thumb of the hand the tape is in, hold down the side tab and pull the label 1 backing off. This keeps the tape flat in the palm and doesn’t lend itself to bending and sticking to itself.
Also interesting is that the diagrams all show the transmitter to the side of the sensor. However in training the instructor taught to have the transmitter to the north of the sensor.
Hi Eric, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. The horizontal positioning of sensor and transmitter shown in this diagram are for demonstrative purposes. A vertical orientation, with the transmitter positioned above or below the sensor, may be preferred for some people. It’s your own personal preference, and what works and feels best for you. Hope this helps!
my wife is diabetic and has started to use the enlite sensor. she has asked me to find her more packets of the enlite overtape could you help me find where I can purchase this? thanks !
John, that’s so nice of you to help your wife find additional Enlite sensor overtape. Currently, the Enlite sensor overtape is not available for purchase separately. The box provides extra pieces of tape that can be used, if needed. Here are taping tips your wife may find helpful: http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/res/img/pdfs/Enlite-taping-tips_8.5x11_100913.pdf. Please let me know if I can help in any other way.
I was wondering why I cannot just use the Durapore tape or the Hypafix I used to use with my old Sof- sensors. The Enlite overtape is a little too small to use with my eyes over 50 !
Rob, I’m sorry to hear you’re frustrated with taping your Enlite sensor. It is customized specifically for the Enlite sensor. If the sensor overtape is not meeting your needs, we recommend speaking with your healthcare professional about other adhesive options. You may also find these additional Enlite taping tips helpful: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/res/img/pdfs/940M11776-013-Additional-Enlite-Tape-Tips.pdf.
thanks for the info. I like the tape demo. I have tried and failed with the sensor several years ago but may demo again soon.
Hi Kim, I’m glad to hear you found these Enlite sensor overtape tips and demo helpful. If you’re interested in trying the Enlite sensor and would like to know more information, let me know, and I’d be more than happy to connect you with someone from my team.
This was helpful, but i still run into issues with just the 2 pieces of tape allotted per sensor. At first i was given a 3rd piece of tape without a whole in it. Over the last 3 shipments none was supplied. I have called numerous times and am sent a replacement as well as only 2 pieces of tape. Is there a recommendation on tape i can purchase from the local drug store?
Thank You,
Justin
Justin, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with taping your Enlite sensor. You may find these Enlite sensor additional taping methods helpful: http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/res/img/pdfs/940M11776-013-Additional-Enlite-Tape-Tips.pdf. I’ll have a member of my team to connect with you to try and help. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with in the meantime.
Gained a few helpful hints – thanks ! ! !
David, I’m happy to hear you learned some new helpful hints from this blog!
wow!
I learned something new !
Thank you!
Dan, you are so welcome! I’m glad you found this article informative!