Functionality

I began my journey with the Medtronic Minimed 670G after previously using an Animas Ping for four years. I was already quite experienced with how a pump worked and how to change a site although it still took some adjusting to get used to it! I found changing my site/reservoir was much more convenient than my last pump. The site has an introduction needle that opens up space for a plastic reservoir to be inserted. I found this whole process to be completely painless as long as I inserted the cannula correctly.

Immediately after I started using the Minimed 670G I noticed a big upgrade from my previous insulin pump. It worked faster and it was easier to change basal and bolus rates. The pump has a convenient clip attachment which allows you to easily clip your pump onto your pants or clothing. I frequently broke my old pump clip but found the Minimed 670G’s clip to be much stronger and haven’t had any issues with it yet!

Changing a site 

1. To change a site on the Minimed 670G you must start by rewinding the pump. 
2. Once the rewind is complete you will load/prepare the Minimed reservoir to your fill amount, making sure to eject any air bubbles out of the reservoir.
3. Next, you can take apart your reservoir leaving just the filled cartridge. 
4. You can now remove the plastic coverings on the site inserter and unravel the infusion cord. After, you simply connect the cartridge into the infusion cord and insert the cartridge into the pump and twist to the right to lock it into place. Once you have done this, select load reservoir and hold down the button until it is fully loaded. 
5. Remove all excess plastic on the site inserter and begin priming, once a drip reaches the inserter the prime is complete. Now you can select a spot to insert your site such as the thigh, stomach, arm, etc.
6. Finally, pull out the injecting mechanism (plastic piece at the bottom of the site inserter). You are now ready to place the site inserter over wherever is most comfortable and squeeze the side of the site inserter ejecting the site into your skin.
7. Once the site is injected you can fill your cannula which just fills the infusion cord with insulin so when you begin taking insulin it is accurate. After all of that, your normal basal and bolus rates will resume and you have completed a successful site change. 

Medtronic + Guardian Sensor 3 

Another big plus regarding the Minimed 670G is that it can connect to a CGM device known as the Guardian Sensor 3. The connection to the Guardian provides the Minimed 670G with the ability to use adaptive insulin delivery which is a continuous refresh of your current blood sugar every 5 minutes. This function allows the pump to make calculated changes to your basal rates. The pump also has a suspend before low option, which tracks current trends in your glucose levels and stops insulin up to 30 minutes before a low glucose reading. Insulin delivery restarts once the blood has increased to an adequate number. This whole process is very accommodating to many diabetics as it helps reduce a rebound high or another low. 

Devices

Contour next link 2.4: The minimed 670G comes with a wirelessly compatible blood glucose monitor which can link your readings to your pump, this reader also has “second attempt reading” which allows you to insert more blood into the test strip within 30 seconds of first administration. This function was so helpful as I have wasted so many test strips in the past due to just not getting enough blood in the strip. The meter is sleek and small in size making it very convenient to carry with you. 

Minimed 670G: The pump itself is 2.1 inches wide and 3.78 inches long weighing only 3 ounces, making this a very lightweight pump. There is a battery compartment on the alternate side from where the reservoir is inserted, the compartment locks and has a divot to insert an object to open it. I find using a coin easiest to open the battery slot, alkaline AA batteries work well but lithium AA will be the most beneficial battery as it will last and work the longest. There are also a variety of sounds that will play in certain situations, such as a low cartridge, low battery, or dropping glucose. You can adjust the volume of these sounds!

Guardian Sensor 3: Continuous glucose monitor that links with your insulin pump and sends all data, making it easy to take accurate amounts of insulin for meals or basal. The sensor also can alert those when they are hypoglycemic or if an upcoming hypoglycemic event is occurring. 

Durability

I find the Medtronic Minimed 670G to be quite durable overall; it has a sturdy casing and remains lightweight. I’ve fallen countless times on my pump from skateboarding accidents to ATV crashes yet every single time my pump has endured the damage flawlessly aside from a few minor scratches. The Minimed 670G is also conveniently waterproof, it can stay 12 feet underwater for over 24 hours! This gives you the option to shower with or without your pump I would suggest just disconnecting your pump to shower as you will likely not have a spot to place it while you shower. The overall durability of the Minimed 670G is excellent, in my opinion. It has beneficial qualities as it is waterproof, strong and resilient. 

Pros and Cons

Pros: automatic suspend when low option and predictive changes to basal rates based off of the CGM, medtronic is a very established company and has been one of the heads in innovation involving pumps for years, an integrated CGM has the potential to be very beneficial to the user making this quite an upside, waterproof.  

Cons: lots of button clicking which can be a nuisance at certain times, maintaining auto mode can take some work sometimes, using the pump is overall easy to use. However, there are a lot of menus and different sections to navigate through and alerts regarding auto mode may potentially become annoying to the user. 

Final thoughts 

The pump is versatile and has a multitude of up to date features that a modern insulin pump should have. It is waterproof, lightweight, and easy to carry around. It also has an integrated top of the line CGM that allows the pump the ability to suspend when low, as well as avoid lows and highs by constant changes to your basal rates based on your CGM. The pump may have a lot of clicking and pressing but the overall simplicity of the pump makes up for it. At the end of the day, it is super user friendly and I think it has a clear spot in the diabetic device industry as it offers an easy approach to an insulin pump. 

Hayden Darrington
Hi! My name is Hayden Darrington, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in march 2014. Diabetes quickly became a second nature to me and I adapted and worked with what I had been dealt!