Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) announced today that it launched the Medtronic Extended infusion set for diabetes in select European countries.
Fridley, Minn.–based Medtronic touts the Extended infusion set as the first and only infusion set that a diabetes patient can wear for up to seven days, as most typically infusion pumps that deliver insulin to the body require a set change every few days, according to a news release.
The doubled length of wear time for the infusion set allows users with diabetes to safely stay on insulin pump therapy with fewer interruptions and insertions. At the same time, they experience enhanced convenience and comfort as part of their diabetes management routine, Medtronic said. The set is compatible with all Medtronic MiniMed 600 and 700 series insulin pumps.
The Medtronic Extended’s creators designed it to reduce insulin preservative loss and maintain insulin flow and stability. Its new tubing connector improves the physical and chemical stability of insulin and the reliability of infusion site performance, according to Medtronic. With a reduced risk of infusion set occlusion, the adhesive patch for the set includes an adhesive layer that extends the wear time and provides comfort and durability.
In addition to the new Medtronic Extended infusion set, the Medtronic Extended reservoir is tested and approved to keep insulin stable and safe for use for up to seven days.
The infusion set is currently in investigational use only in the U.S. and is not approved for sale or distribution. The select European countries in which Medtronic Extended is now for sale include Finland and Belgium, to start. Others are expected to follow in a phased approach over the course of 2021.
“Our goal with this latest innovation is to make insulin pump therapy easier for people living with diabetes,” Medtronic diabetes business VP of customer experience Julie Foster said in the release. “The Medtronic Extended infusion set introduces increased simplicity and convenience — something we’re looking to deliver across all of our products and services to help ease burden and enhance the experience for people wherever they are in their diabetes journey.”
