Medtronic Begins Customer Training Phase for MiniMed 670G

By Ava Runge and Adam Brown

Training to be tested in a small group before the full launch starts in June

Medtronic recently announced on its LOOP blog that it will begin rolling out the MiniMed 670G hybrid closed loop system in a “Customer Training Phase” in the next couple of weeks. From now through June, a small group of current MiniMed 630G users enrolled in the “Priority Access Program” at several centers around the US will transition to the MiniMed 670G. This will help Medtronic validate the hybrid closed loop training and onboarding processes. diaTribe can’t wait to hear how it all goes.  

Medtronic plans to begin the full 670G launch in June, starting with current 630G pumpers who are enrolled in the Priority Access Program, and then opening to others interested in transitioning to the system (e.g., 530G and Revel users). The Priority Access Program is open for enrollment until April 28 (click here for details on how to enroll).

More upgrade details are expected sometime this summer. Notably for both people with diabetes and healthcare systems, pricing for the 670G will be similar to Medtronic’s current CGM/pump systems. For context, it seems that the retail price of the newly launched MiniMed 630G system varies widely from $6,000-$9,000, but the final price that users pay depends on an individual’s insurance provider and plan.

This Customer Training Phase confirms diaTribe’s expectations for a very controlled and limited early 670G launch, and serves as a reminder that launching automated insulin delivery is a big task – even (and especially) for a company as experienced as Medtronic. As the first hybrid closed loop system coming to market – automating basal insulin delivery to reduce both highs and lows – it will be important to get this training right.

What is the MiniMed 670G?

The MiniMed 670G, which was approved by the FDA last September after a rapid three-month review, consists of an insulin pump (with tubing), a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor inserted under the skin, and a transmitter worn on the body. When the 670G is operating in “Auto Mode,” it receives a glucose value from the CGM every five minutes and uses it to automatically adjust basal insulin delivery, targeting a level of 120 mg/dl. If glucose starts trending high, the system may deliver more basal insulin to prevent/limit high blood sugars. If glucose starts going low, it may deliver less basal insulin to prevent/limit hypoglycemia. The MiniMed 670G does not issue automatic boluses for meals or very high blood sugars, meaning the user still has to manually program insulin doses (hence the term, “hybrid closed loop,” since it is not fully automated). For background and answers to frequently asked questions on the 670G, see our detailed review here.

If you aren’t sure whether to get on the 670G or wait for another system, read our closed-loop year-in-review piece here.

[Photo Credit: Medtronic]