Taking care of your insulin pump so it takes care of you

If you’ve been using an insulin pump for a while, you’ve likely gotten past that initial learning curve and figured out a routine that works well for you. Since insulin pumps can become so ingrained in your life, it’s helpful to take a step back and look at the things you can do to make sure your pump stays in the best possible shape. 

On a daily basis, consider these tips:

• Pump cases can help provide a cushion against bumps during your daily activities and protect in cases of accidental drops. We recommend a silicone skin which is low-profile and wraps around your pump clip. We recently improved the design of the silicone skin so it’s a smoother material that has more grip and really helps to protect your pump! They come in a variety of colors and materials too! The MiniMed 670G and 630G systems are waterproof¹ but be aware that drops and bumps could damage your pump case and make it more vulnerable to damage from water.
• If you wear your pump in a place where it touches your skin (like in a bra, or wedged between pants and skin), turn the buttons away from your body to reduce moisture exposure.
• Keep your pump secure and dry while exercising in a waist pouch.
• Did you know that lotion, sunscreen, insect repellent, or household cleaners can damage your pump? Make sure to wash and dry your hands before touching it!
• When pushing the buttons on your pump, use the side or pad of your finger. Try to avoid sharp objects like keys or the tips of long or acrylic fingernails.

Every few weeks, think about these things:

• If you need to clean your pump for any reason, wash your hands and use a cloth mixed with mild detergent like dish soap and water. Do not place your pump under running water and avoid cleaning it with household agents (all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, etc.)
• You can also use the bottom of your 600-series pump clip or a thick coin to open and close your battery cap, but don’t overtighten it. If you need a new battery cap, we have them available for purchase here.

And when the seasons change, here are a few things to remember:

• Plan ahead by reading up on this chart before you enter new environments, from x-rays to airport security, so you know how they could affect your pump.
• For those of you on the MiniMed 670G  or 630G systems, it’s good to note at the time of manufacture and when reservoir and tubing are inserted properly, your pump is waterproof to a depth of up to 12 feet for up to 24 hours. See user guide for details. Be aware that drops and bumps that occur over time will affect the integrity of the pump and make it more vulnerable to damage from water.
  • The Paradigm platform, MiniMed Revel, and MiniMed 530G systems are water-resistant, so disconnect from your pump when showering, swimming, or using the sauna or steam room. Place it in a safe and dry place, away from moisture.
  • When your transmitter is connected to your sensor, they create a watertight seal in up to 8 feet of water for 30 minutes. If you are wearing CGM and disconnect your pump from your body and, your transmitter will store your data during that time. But keep in mind, if you're away for your pump for 30 minutes or more, you will get a Lost Sensor alert. Speak with your healthcare team to establish a plan if you’re going to regularly disconnect from your pump for longer than one hour.
• MiniMed pumps are designed to withstand temperatures between 41-104 degrees (F). Insulin can freeze near 32 degrees and become less effective at higher temperatures. If you’re outside in cold weather, wear your pump close to your body and cover it with warm clothing. If you’re in a warm environment, keep your pump in a case or covered under the shade or a beach towel and protect your insulin to keep it cool.

^{1 At the time of manufacture and when the reservoir and tubing are properly inserted, your pump is waterproof. It is protected against the effects of being underwater to a depth of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) for up to 24 hours. This is classified as IPX8 rating. See user guide for more details. The sensor and transmitter are water-resistant at 8 feet (2.4 meters) for up to 30 minutes. CGM readings may not be transmitted from the CGM to the pump while in water.}

Important Safety Information 

MINIMED 670G SYSTEM 

The Medtronic MiniMed™ 670G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons, seven years of age and older, requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed™ 670G system includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust delivery of basal insulin based on Continuous Glucose Monitor sensor glucose values and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The system requires a prescription. 

The Guardian™ Sensor (3) glucose values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. A confirmatory finger stick test via the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter is required prior to making adjustments to diabetes therapy. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian™ Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an Alternative Site (palm) or from a control solution test. It is not recommended to calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise. If a control solution test is out of range, please note that the result may be transmitted to your pump when in the “Always” send mode. 

Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g  and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library