FDA approves Medtronic insulin pump

[Anita]

Did anyone heard of this medtronic insulin pump?
I read that the FDA approved this. I think it's suppose to be much more accurate than the regular pump.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2006/04/10/daily43.html

[juliedevos]

Yeah its already been in Canada for sale for a few months now.

I have actually tried the continous glucose monitor and its not as great as everyone thinks.

The sensor site fails alot and you need to insert a new one. They cost $75 bucks canadian a pop so that becomes VERY expensive and they must be changed every 3 days. An infusion site costs $10 every 3 days so add that up and you are looking at $85 dollars every 3 days. YIKES.

Anyways and when I did it and it finally worked it was really inaccurate. It keep telling me I was low when in fact I was 7 or 8.

And in order to calibrate it you need to input your bg by finger prick every couple of hours anyway. I guess its useful for overnight but if its so inaccurate then it doesnt help that much.

Overall I was disappointed with it.

I used the same system that minimed uses. Except without the pump. THe new minimed system doesnt automatically do anything with your insulin. You must look at you glucose, confirm it with a capillary (finger) bg then adust your insulin on your pump.

There is more info about it at www.minimed.ca or the american site www.minimed.com

Once they work the bugs out of the system and make the device (sensor and transmitter) that you have to wear AS well as the infusion set smaller and more compact and less sensitive then I think it will be much better.

A closer step to an external pancreas is always good though!
Julie

[Anita]

[quote:1373c02191="juliedevos"]The sensor site fails alot and you need to insert a new one. They cost $75 bucks canadian a pop so that becomes VERY expensive and they must be changed every 3 days. An infusion site costs $10 every 3 days so add that up and you are looking at $85 dollars every 3 days. YIKES. [/quote:1373c02191]
WOW, they forgot to mention this small detail on the article... I guess I wont be a client.
I also wonder how come the FDA approved it if it's inaccurate. From my experience, fixing those couple of two minor problems (or as you called them 'bugs') could take a couple of years, years in which the company would sell many defective items... :?

[juliedevos]

Anita,
Yes I was shocked when they put it in me and said "that will be $75 please...government dosent cover it" well I nearly dropped off the chair.

And yes the site insertion could be great but you might get an excellent, moderate, or poor correlation between your actually bg level and what the sensor gets. The sensor doesnt actually read glusoce level it read something else that is a reflection of your bg level. So there is another way it could not be accurate.

Anyways if its a good site and good correlation then its really helpful.
Julie

[Anita]

[quote:8a45303b07="juliedevos"]Anyways if its a good site and good correlation then its really helpful.[/quote:8a45303b07]
Not sure I've got this one. What do you mean by 'good site'?

[juliedevos]

Umm not sure how to explain it....that its in properly, not bruising, no infection, that sort of thing.

Julie[/u]