How Medtronic’s MiniMed Device is Making Life Sweeter for People with Diabetes
Managing diabetes is a constant challenge for sufferers. However, with its innovative new devices, Medtronic is looking to make living with this debilitating condition a little easier.
Beginning life as a medical equipment repair shop in Minneapolis in 1949, Medtronic was founded by brothers-in-law Earl Bakken and Palmer Hermundslie. The company’s first self-built product – an innovative new pacemaker design – was released in the early 60s, and Medtronic soon began selling its own devices alongside those sourced from other manufacturers. Over the next few decades Medtronic acquired many other companies, survived the global recession, and continues to grow today.
Today, Medtronic is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is one of Europe’s largest providers of medical equipment, employing over 98,000 people. The company has revenues of $28,833 million, placing it at #377 on the Fortune Global 500.
New Technology for Managing Diabetes
A big part of Medtronic’s business revolves around inventing new technology which can empower Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes sufferers to manage their conditions in more convenient ways.
With this mission in mind, Medtronic invented the world’s first hybrid closed-loop system for managing diabetes. The MiniMed 670G System combines an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor, and is set apart from its competitors by its ability to deliver insulin itself, marking a significant milestone in the search for a true closed-loop system.
When setting up the device, patients set their insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and recalibrate the MiniMed twice a day with a finger prick. They can then update the system ahead of eating a meal by entering the carbohydrate content of the food they're about to eat.
Using the device completely removes the need to enter correction boluses and eliminates dual wave and square boluses entirely. MiniMed manages to do this by using the data entered by the patient to make tweaks to basal rates following a meal to maintain blood sugar as close to the ideal 120 mg/dL as possible.
“I have been living with Type 1 diabetes since the age of two, and using insulin pump therapy since 2000,” said Diabetes Sufferer and Medtronic Brand Ambassador, Phyllis. “I decided on an insulin pump so that I could have more flexibility with my diabetes management. The pump allowed flexibility that multiple daily injections did not. I have consistently been on MiniMed insulin pumps since 2000, and currently use the MiniMed 670G system. When I saw the call for applications for the Ambassador program, I didn’t think twice about applying.”
It’s clear that diabetes sufferers are seeing great benefits from the new MiniMed 670G. However, Medtronic is not content to rest on its laurels, and is already developing the system further.
MiniMed Mio Advance Infusion
The MiniMed Mio Advance infusion set is due to build on the success of the 670G by offering even more convenience to users.
The new infusion set is designed to be simpler and faster to change, with fewer steps involved than earlier iterations. The design allows for one-handed insertions and the flexibility to apply to hard-to-reach locations, such as the lower back area. The set has no visible needle and has a built-in insertion device which makes sure the force used to insert is consistent.
"Early feedback on the Mio Advance infusion set has been fantastic," said Annette Brüls, President, Diabetes Service and Solutions at Medtronic. "Our goal is to continuously improve and innovate on core technologies to help people with diabetes continue to experience greater freedom and better health. We are excited to leverage the MiniMed Mio Advance as a platform for future infusion set innovations."
Combined with the closed-loop system, the MiniMed Mio Advance infusion set is looking to make managing diabetes even more convenient.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear Medtronic is dedicated to working with the diabetes community to change the way sufferers manage their condition. With new and innovative technology, Medtronic is working towards improved care and better outcomes for patients managing diabetes.
The final word goes to diabetes sufferer and Medtronic Brand Ambassador, John: “I am a father, husband, leader, cyclist, skydiver, snowboarder, world traveller, and backpacker. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, and have been on the journey of struggling with control, to embracing technology and activity, to help ensure I am around for many years for those I love. The combination of pump therapy and a great support network have helped me keep my A1C in the mid 6's, reduce low blood sugar events, and pursue my passions full speed.”
You can hear Medtronic’s Vice President of Commercial Excellence, Marc Gimeno, speak at MedForce Europe 2018 this June at the Hotel Palace, Berlin. Download the agenda to find out more.