My Story: The MiniMed® 670G System

Perspectives

My Story: The MiniMed® 670G System

Medtronic MiniMed Ambassador Cindy Tenney, stands out as a fascinating example of how to live an exceptional life with type 1 diabetes. She was diagnosed at the age of 13 and has lived a full life with diabetes. When it comes to diabetes technology, she’s seen it all as she wore the MiniMed 502, the company’s very first insulin pump. Cindy recently participated in the clinical trial for the world’s first hybrid closed loop system, the MiniMed® 670G system. Here’s her story about how this groundbreaking new technology helps her manage her diabetes. 

Having a chronic disease like diabetes definitely has its ups and downs—literally! As a participant in the clinical trial for the MiniMed® 670G system, I am here to testify that this new technology has brought me the peace of mind I have been seeking for 40 years!

The MiniMed 670G system is the first and only insulin delivery system that constantly self-adjusts to automatically keep your sugar levels in range, based on how you live your everyday life.

I am a Medtronic pump junkie. I have worn MiniMed pumps continuously for 35 years. I was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus at age 13. At that time (1976) the standard of care still involved urine testing four times daily—watching a tablet fizz in the test tube and then interpreting the results with a color chart. I felt like a little chemist. By age 17, my progressive endocrinologist had me wearing the AutoSyringe “Big Blue Brick” to high school every day.  

Obviously, I can attest to the amazing technological progress of Medtronic insulin pumps! To be a participant in clinical trials is exciting. It constantly brings to the forefront of my mind the reality that professionals are diligently working toward a cure.

The MiniMed 670G system was love at first sight. With just the touch of one button a colorful screen lights up with clever icons displaying:

  • The pump battery life
  • Insulin reservoir
  • Quality of sensor signal
  • My current glucose reading
  • Active insulin on board
  • The current time

Another button brings to life a graph of my blood sugars, including blood drop icons for every fingerstick done and utensils to signify when a meal bolus given. It is colorful and creative.

Although there was love at first sight, trust took a little time. I spent the first month or two dueling over whether the SmartGuard™ hybrid closed loop technology (automatic basal delivery) could manage my blood glucose adequately. Of course, after some fine tuning and personalization of the active insulin time and insulin sensitivity, the SmartGuard technology won me over.

The MiniMed 670G system is truly amazing at managing my basal insulin delivery. I sleep through each night without ending up in “Suspend” mode. I honestly feel so much more productive each day since my BGs are so stable. I didn’t realize how often I was “recovering” from hypoglycemia before the MiniMed 670G system. SmartGuard has given me a full 24 hours of life each day and worry-free rest each night. I am so grateful for SmartGuard technology.  

The MiniMed 670G system will be available in the spring of 2017. Purchasing a MiniMed® 630G system NOW is your ticket to Priority Access for the MiniMed 670G system when it becomes available in the spring of 2017. Click here for more information on how your out-of-pocket cost for the world’s first hybrid closed loop insulin delivery system could go as low as $0*.

Important Safety Information: MiniMed® 670G System

The Medtronic MiniMed 670G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons, fourteen years of age and older, requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed 670G system includes SmartGuard technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust delivery of basal insulin based on continuous glucose monitor sensor glucose values, and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The system requires a prescription. The Guardian Sensor (3) glucose values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. A confirmatory finger stick test via the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter is required prior to making adjustments to diabetes therapy. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an alternative site (palm) or from a control solution test. Do not calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise. If a control solution test is out of range, please note that the result may be transmitted to your pump when in the “Always” send mode. WARNING: Medtronic performed an evaluation of the MiniMed 670G system and determined that it may not be safe for use in children under the age of 7 because of the way that the system is designed and the daily insulin requirements. Therefore this device should not be used in anyone under the age of 7 years old. This device should also not be used in patients who require less than a total daily insulin dose of 8 units per day because the device requires a minimum of 8 units per day to operate safely. Only use rapid acting U100 insulin with this system. Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details, including product and important safety information concerning the system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library.

MiniMed is a registered trademark and SmartGuard is a trademark of Medtronic, MiniMed Inc.

Ascensia, the Ascensia Diabetes Care logo and Contour are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Ascensia Diabetes Care. on file.

*Offer available until April 28, 2017.