Quick Hits: Death Spurs Insulin Pump Recall

Insulin pumps are supposed to make diabetes patients’ lives easier by automatically regulating blood glucose levels. However, a recent CNN article reported on a device that delivered incorrect insulin doses due to a missing or broken retainer ring. The mishap led to the recall of roughly 322,000 devices. The product in question is Medtronic’s MiniMed 600 Series that accumulated 26,421 complaints related to device malfunctions including 2,175 injuries and one death.

Medtronic sent letters to patients instructing them to examine the trainer ring used in their pumps. If the reservoir fails to lock into the pump or the ring is loose, the device is likely to deliver inaccurate doses which could lead to hypoglycemia, which is characterized by dizziness, confusion, feelings of weakness. Extreme cases can cause loss of consciousness, seizure or death. The recall includes: 

• Model 630G distributed in September 2016 to October 2019
• Model 670G distributed in June 2017 to August 2019