This morning, the Medtronic Diabetes Group held a conference call for a small group of diabetes writers to give an update on its new MiniMed 670G system, otherwise known as the world’s first hybrid closed loop system. Louis Dias, Chief Patient Officer of Medtronic Diabetes and Mike Hill, Vice President of Marketing for Medtronic’s Intensive Insulin Management Business were both on the call, as was Karrie Hawbaker, Senior Manager of Social Media.
First, a recap on what the system is and what it does:
The MiniMed 670G system is a combination of an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor. What sets it apart from its predecessors—and, for that matter, every other pump on the market—is that it can actually give you insulin. This makes it a major step forward toward the goal of a truly closed loop system.
How does the 670G system work?
Users must program their insulin-to-carb ratios, calibrate the system twice a day with a blood glucose reading from a finger stick, and give the system a “meal announcement” when they’re about to eat by entering the number of grams of carbohydrate that they intend to consume.
The system then uses the grams of carbohydrate users have entered and their insulin-to-carb ratio to estimate an initial bolus to cover the meal. In the hours that follow, the system makes tiny tweaks to basal rates in order to get blood sugar levels as close as possible to 120 mg/dL.
This means that you don’t need to enter correction boluses and that there’s no longer such thing as dual wave or square boluses—the pump is taking care of it for you.
How’s it different from the most recent MiniMed pump?
Medtronic Diabetes’s current top-of-the-line pump is the MiniMed 630G system with Enlite Sensor. The 530G uses something called SmartGuard™ technology to suspend delivery of insulin after the sensor determines that your blood glucose is low, but the system can’t take any predictive action—let alone give you insulin to correct a high blood glucose reading. (SmartGuard is also referred to as threshold suspend or low-glucose suspend.)
Another important difference from previous systems is that the 670G uses a new sensor called the Guardian 3. While the Guardian transmitter—that’s the part that you wear on top your skin—looks the same as the Enlite transmitter, the sensor itself is totally different. It’s 80 percent smaller than the Enlite (again, we’re talking about the part below the surface of your skin), longer lasting (approved for 7 deays instead of 6) and considerably more accurate.
It achieves this accuracy in part by using another new feature: a built-in self-check system within the sensor itself. As Hill explained it, each sensor actually has two sensors: one that’s sending information to the pump, and one that is making sure the first sensor is accurate. If the system thinks it’s getting out of whack, it’ll send you a request for an additional calibration.
According to Hill, that self-check system means that users can be confident that when the system is running with no calibration alert, it’s “rock solid.”
Hill and Dias say that the Guardian 3’s accuracy is “comparable” to the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System, but that it’s hard to measure since the two systems have never been directly studied in a controlled clinical trial.
The new 670G is also “more robust” than Medtronic Diabetes’ previous pumps (i.e. it’s less likely to break if you drop it). It’s also waterproof for up to 24 hours at a depth of 12 feet, which is the same as the 530G, but a big improvement over Medtronic’s previous pumps, as well as most others on the market.
Also important: while the “Auto” mode is by far the most exciting aspect of the 670G, the pump also has two other modes: “suspend on low” (which is what the 530G does), and “suspend before low” (in which the pump will suspend basal delivery if it predicts that you will experience a low in the near future). You can choose which mode you want to use, and switch back and forth between them as you like.
How can I get one?
Dias called the system Medtronic’s “most important launch ever” and explained that in order to make sure the launch goes smoothly, Medtronic is doing it in stages.
The first, which started when the system was approved last September, is a Priority Access Sign-Up period, which gives priority to people who are on the 530G system—or who just bought it—and would like to upgrade. (Pumps aren’t shipping yet; it’s just a sign-up period.)
This week marks the beginning of the next phase: a small trial with a select group of customers and healthcare providers to test Medtronic’s roll-out plans. On the call, the 670G system was described as “almost the launch of a new therapy”—meaning that there is a lot to learn, for users, healthcare providers, and Medtronic Diabetes itself. The company wants to make sure that the training process runs smoothly and that employees are adequately prepared for issues and questions that might pop up once they do a full launch. This phase is scheduled to run through the summer.
While these are happening, Medtronic Diabetes is also working on getting coverage for the 670G from insurance companies (there are some 400 payer contracts that need to be negotiated). Hawbaker said it’s been a smooth process so far—but nonetheless, the process takes time. Worth noting is that the 670G system will be the same price as the 630G, which is helping to speed things up.
Medtronic plans to start shipping the 670G system to Priority Access customers in June 2017. Then, once those orders have been filled, Medtronic will begin taking orders for the 670G from everyone else.
In other words, you can’t get the system yet, but you will be able to very soon.
What’s next?
The 670G marks a huge milestone in the journey toward a fully closed loop system, but Medtronic knows we’re not there yet. Even as the company prepares to roll out the 670G, it’s working on next generation pumps and sensors that will bring us even closer to the goal of a fully automated system.
In the words of Dias, “We are on a journey.” But at the moment, “we feel that the 670G is a tremendous step forward for long-term health.”
have decide after 2 years of auto mode that my control was much better on manual mode. The system certainly is not set to control a rising blood sugar. I was a licensed dietitian for years and 50 years of type one. I can achieve a 6.2 a1c on manual vs the last auto mode 3 months of 7.2. Pump should be referred to a a challenged pump. LOL
Hey all, I have been on this pump for about four months. I have had no trouble receiving my supplies in time or learning how to use the pump. Medtronics advisors have been very good at answering my questions. My problem is my control is way out of whack. I have been on and off various pumps for many years. I used to use the Dexcom G6 (new one) and got more accurate readings at least to the readings on my meter which might not have been accurate either. With the new pump and the linked meter, I find the… Read more »
I completely agree with your post. I am so disappointed with the 670G system. I’ve had Type 1 for 44 years and this system is so flawed! Uncomfortable and so high maintenance in terms of input, calibrations, alarms, etc. Most importantly, I’m typically in excellent control. Now, I am not- A1Cs much higher and I don’t feel well. My husband has also noticed a remarkable difference in my control, etc. The 670G is a full time job and does not make your life easier. The older smaller pumps and Dexcom6 is a more refined and accurate system. I’m switching back… Read more »
I totally agree with you there are to many alarms! The older pumps were much easier!
Join the I positively hate the 670 G pump. The alarms are the worst ever. So sorry I wasted my time on this pump I want my Animas pump back. I have to do bg and calibrate several times in a row just to get it to take one complete action. Totally not necessary. And my fingers are raw!
I have had diabetes 50 years. I wanted this to control my lows. I did it for a year on the MiniMed. Could not handle it any longer. The sensor kept telling me I was low and I was actually close to 200 because I was treating for lows. Called support and got the same run around answer. After a year I could not take it. I had to get the Dexcom. Now I calibrate once a day maybe and I am always within 10. In range over 75% and 80% and 90% days are not uncommon. DO NOT USE… Read more »
It is my understanding that the 530G is only splash proof, not waterproof as described. Please verify. Thank you.
So I have been on the 670 for 3 months now and was really starting to like
it. But now i’m having to wait on receiving my senors. I guess i’m asking
if I have to change anything on my pump setting until I have received my
senors.
I’m 4 weeks into the 670g and after a very bumpy first two weeks, the pump is actually “getting to know me”. This new sensor is MUCH better than the enlite!! The variance between SG and BG is usually “3”. This is VERY much different from the former pumps and takes time and patience. WELL WORTH IT.
I waited four months for sensors for the 670g pump and I am extremely disappointed with the sensors and the pump operation in auto mode. The sensors are not very accurate, and in a few days, they get too inaccurate and the pump enters an “update sensor” cycle that results after a few hours in a “replace sensor” ultimatum. The pump stops working in auto mode until the sensor is replaced. Every sensor I have used has gone through this. On top of this, the pump is constantly asking for BG input, even at night while sleeping. The 670g doesn’t… Read more »
I paid extra money to up grade to the 670 and started using it approx. July 2017 for the purpose of the elite sensor. I placed an order for the sensors was at least a month ago and I am now told after inquiring that they are back ordered. This is the 3rd time in 6 months that this has happened. Customers service uses up my time waiting for someone to answer the phone. I love the pump when I can use it for the reason I purchased it. Otherwise it is just a functional pump. I think Medtronic is… Read more »
I got the 670g in june 2017. a1c worst ever. the sensor is still off by 50 point consistently. disappointing!!