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Medtronic has issued a follow-up to their July 2024 safety alert, emphasizing the importance of monitoring pump battery alerts and carrying extra batteries. This update addresses potential issues with shortened battery life, which may cause insulin pumps to stop delivery sooner than expected, especially if the pump has been physically impacted (e.g., dropped or bumped).

Pumps Affected

Pump models include the MiniMed™ 630G, 670G, 770G, and 780G systems.

Key Issue
Damage to internal electrical components from physical impact may reduce battery life, triggering alerts with less actual battery life than indicated. Users should be vigilant about "Low Battery Pump" alerts, as insulin delivery stops when the “Replace Battery Now” alarm appears, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Reported Incidents
From January 2023 to September 2024, Medtronic received 170 reports of hyperglycemia (>400 mg/dL) and 11 reports of DKA in the U.S., potentially linked to this issue.

Actions for Users:

• Always carry extra batteries and monitor pump alerts closely.
• Replace the battery immediately upon receiving a "Low Battery Pump" alert.
• Contact Medtronic at 1-800-378-2292 for troubleshooting or to determine if a replacement pump is necessary if battery life significantly decreases.
• Keep back-up insulin therapy on hand as a precaution.
• Report adverse reactions or quality issues to the FDA's MedWatch program.

For more information or support, users can reach Medtronic's 24-Hour Technical Support team.

Read the full press release.