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Top Tips for Your Medical Device Apps

 

In today’s world, people manage almost everything in their lives on their smartphone. So, why should managing your diabetes be any different? We’re thrilled to bring you smartphone apps with the MiniMed 770G system, Guardian Connect CGM, and the InPen smart pen. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Medtronic apps.

1. Compatibility and downloading

Because our apps are classified as medical software, we test them with each smartphone model and operating system before releasing to ensure they work perfectly. If you or your care partner have a smartphone or software version that is not on the compatibility list, please know that these lists are updated often. Before using a new smartphone or updating software, we recommend checking the list here to make sure you’re compatible:

Note that in the case of the MiniMed 770G system, if your smartphone is not compatible with an app, you will still be able to use and benefit from the diabetes management therapy, even without the app.

Also make sure you have downloaded the correct app. Each of our Bluetooth® enabled systems has a unique app tailored for your experience with the product you are using.

Product App Names and Stores
MiniMed 770G Insulin Pump System [4] MiniMed Mobile App icon MiniMed Mobile App [5]
App for people living with diabetes
[6] [7]
CareLink Connect App icon CareLink Connect App [8]
App for care partners
[9] [7]
Guardian Connect CGM System [10] Guardian Connect App icon Guardian Connect App [11] [7]
Sugar.IQ Diabetes Assistant App icon Sugar.IQ Diabetes Assistant App [12] [11]
InPen Smart Pen [13] InPen: Diabetes Management App icon InPen: Diabetes Management App [14] [7]

*Just a reminder that if you’re using any of our MiniMed 600 and 500-series pumps, you will not have mobile app connectivity. If you’d like to learn more about having a connected pump or device, you can always reach us at 1-800-646-4633 (option 3) between 9AM–6PM CT to learn about your options.

2. Ongoing use and updating your phone’s operating system
We recommend you disable your smartphone’s automatic operating system updates. Operating system (OS) updates can occur frequently and may impact your app experience. Turning off automatic updates on your mobile device may help you avoid unintentionally updating to an operating system that interferes with your ability to use the app.

We do extensive testing on all OS updates for our apps. This means there may be a delay between the latest OS release and when the new app version becomes available to you. We usually establish compatibility around 2-6 weeks after an OS release but are always working to shorten this time.

If your smartphone has a major operating system that is not compatible, the app will not work. If there’s a minor operating system update that is not compatible with our apps, the app may still work, but when you open your app, you’ll see a notification stating your OS has not been verified. Tapping continue from the bottom on the screen will let you continue to use the app. Please note in this case, information may function differently than intended.

Steps to turn off auto updates on your operating system

For apple devices: From the settings menu, go to General > Software Updates > Automatic Updates, set to the “off” position.

For android devices: Go to System updates menu, > Automatic security updates > turn OFF.

It’s also important to keep the app running in the background. This helps ensure that you receive alerts and notifications along with the data since you last opened the app. This makes it so you can still receive updates, alerts, and alarms even if you aren’t actively looking at the app. Some mobile devices default to background apps “off” to help conserve battery. You can change this by tapping on “Settings” from your mobile device and searching for “Background Apps” and switching “on”. (Individual mobile device language and setting location may vary.)

3. Receiving important product updates and compatibility messages
We frequently update our compatibility lists and can inform you about an upcoming major operating system update so that you can prevent any interruptions. Updating your communication preferences allows you to opt-in to emails about product education and training along with a text message when an update is available or expected. You can manage your communication preferences directly at Diabetes.Shop [15].

If you experience problems or have any other app questions, call 24-Hour Technical Support at 1-800-646-4633, option 1. For more app support tips and answers to frequently asked questions, visit our website.

We hope these app tips are helpful for you! What tips do you have that you’d like to share with us?

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

MINIMED™ 770G SYSTEM WITH SMARTGUARD™ TECHNOLOGY
The MiniMed™ 770G 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 two 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™ 770G system includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust delivery of basal insulin based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor glucose (SG) values and can suspend delivery of insulin when the SG value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G system consists of the following devices: MiniMed™ 770G insulin pump, the Guardian™ Link (3) transmitter, the Guardian™ Sensor (3), one-press serter, the Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter, and the Accu-Chek® Guide test strips. The system requires a prescription. The Guardian™ Sensor (3) has not been evaluated and is not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using a blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian™ Sensor (3). All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the Accu-Chek® Guide Link 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 Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an Alternative Site. 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.

WARNING: Do not use the MiniMed™ 770G system until appropriate training has been received from a healthcare professional. Training is essential to ensure the safe use of the MiniMed™ 770G system.

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™ 770G 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 https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-770g [17] and the appropriate user guide at https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library [18].

GUARDIAN CONNECT SYSTEM

The Guardian™ Connect system requires a prescription and is indicated for continuous or periodic monitoring of glucose levels in the interstitial fluid under the skin, in patients (14 to 75 years of age) with diabetes mellitus. The system is intended to complement, not replace, information obtained from standard blood glucose monitoring devices, and is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to perform a minimum of two meter blood glucose tests per day, or for people who are unable or unwilling to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The system requires a functioning mobile electronic device with correct settings. If the mobile device is not set up or used correctly, you may not receive sensor glucose information or alerts. For complete details of the system and its components, including warnings, contraindications, and precautions, please consult the user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/support/download-library/user-guides and www.medtronicdiabetes.com/importantsafetyinformation.

INPEN

The InPen™ is a home- use reusable pen injector for single- patient use by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver, or by a patient age 7 and older for the self- injection of a desired dose of insulin and for calculating an insulin dose or carbohydrate intake based on user entered data. A healthcare professional must assist in dosage programming of the device prior to use, based on various patient- specific criteria and targets. The InPen™ requires a prescription. For additional product and safety information, please consult the Instructions for Use and bit.ly/InPenRisks.com.

SUGAR.IQ APP

The Sugar.IQ™ app (MMT-8100) helps manage diabetes by facilitating the logging and display of meal entries and sensor glucose (SG) data, tracking meal log entries, reporting insights of how meals affect glucose levels, and supporting good choices and trends with motivational messages. The app serves as an additional display for real-time CGM data from the Guardian™ Connect system through the CareLink™ Personal software. It is not intended to provide medical advice and should not be relied upon for such purpose. The app is not intended to replace the real-time display of the CGM data on the Guardian™ Connect app, control any functions of the connecting device, calculate insulin or other drug doses, or modify data or control functions of the Guardian Connect system. All therapy decisions should be made by the app user based on blood glucose (BG) measurements obtained from a BG meter. Changes to treatment should only be made in consultation with a healthcare professional (HCP). For complete details, consult the user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library [19].