New insulin pump?

Question

There is a new insulin pump out by MiniMed that reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes and alarms when you begin to to past your target range- low or high. Has anyone been able to experience this or know of anyone who has?!

Answer 1

It's not quite that simple. You're referring to the paradigm RT 522/722 insulin pump. You can upgrade from just the pump to Guardian continuous glucose monitoring systems. Here's how it works...You insert a sensor, much like the infusion sets used with an insulin pump. The sensor has a transmitter attached to it that is adhered to the skin close to the sensor. The sensor tests glucose levels in the subcutaneous fluid under the skin...it does NOT test blood glucose. Then the transmiter sends this information either to a separate monitor or to the 522/722 pump. You don't have to have a pump to use the system, the monitor is just built into the 522/722. The system has to be calibrated several times a day with a finger stick glucose test, they do not replace glucose testing. There's another CGMS from Dexcom that does not have the pump monitor option right now but is supposed to be much more accurate. Another one is waiting on FDA approval, called the Navigator from Abbott, the makers of the Freestyle glucose monitors and is supposed to be more accurate than both. It doesn't link with a pump at this time but Abbott is also working on an insullin pump called the Aviator and I have a feeling it will be like Minimed's system. The Navigator takes glucose reading every minute (although you can change it to take it less often). Even though they may not be completely accurate they might help catch dropping glucose levels so that a person can monitor more closely. They set off alarms when glucose levels are dropping and might help to prevent over night lows when we're not awake to notice. It's expensive...the start up upgrade with Minimed's is $1000 which consists of 5 sensors. The sensors are left in place for a few days...I can't remember the exact time, 3 days? I think. The transmiter has to be replaced when the battery gets low because it doesn't have a replaceable battery. I believe they last about 9 months? And are not cheap. I'm not sure, about prices here, it's been a while since I read about them, but it seems they're about $600? Could be more or less, but still expensive Insurance doesn't pay for it at this time, although that might change in the future.

Answer 2

I've heard it's extremely inaccurate and expensive. The upfront cost is $999, plus $300 per month for sensors, plus $600 when the battery dies.

I'm holding out for the Navigator.

Also, like was already said, you can't dose insulin or decide to treat a low based on the results- it's not accurate enough yet.

Don't buy a pump just because it has a CGMS. You can buy that separately, and they are $400-$1000 separately. However, a pump is $6000, so if you get one you don't like, you wasted a lot more money.

Answer 3

I agree with BRUCE D I have the new pagadime pump and the link blood sugar machine and their great you get a blood sugar reading that go directly into the pump then you teelthe pump how many carbs are in your food and it will caculate how much insulin to give you to cover the carbs in the meal and it gives it to you its wonderful i love it and another think you can test other places besides your fingers and it only takes a very small dropplet of blood much much better than the old way of blood testing and insulin delivery. bt the way i had the old pump the 507 for about 6 years before this and its not as much work as the old onewas.

Answer 4

Its a wonderful thing to have, It sits where you whould put a pager or cell holder and thats what it looks like. It is going to be the cause for decreasing diabetic comas and things like that and you never have to check your insulin again GREATLY RECOMMENDED

Answer 5

Hi
This is a great website for diabetics. You can post your Question there too
http://www.diabetesforums.com/

Answer 6

I've heard of it and would like to upgrade to it.