Medtronic launches more effective infusion set 

DUBLIN – Medtronic has announced the U.S. launch of its Extended infusion set, which it says is the first and only infusion set labelled for up to seven-day wear. An infusion set is tubing that delivers insulin from a pump to the body and typically requires a set change every two to three days. "When patients first begin using a pump, doctors and other health care providers reinforce the need to change their infusion set every two to three days to limit the risk of infection and other safety concerns,” said Dr. Robert Vigersky, chief medical officer, Medtronic Diabetes. “For many people, this means scheduling life around infusion set changes, which may not be at the most convenient times ― turning around as you are headed out the door when you suddenly remember to change your infusion set or adding a few minutes to a tired child's bedtime routine with an infusion set change. With the Medtronic Extended infusion set, these life interruptions are reduced with an innovation that doubles the wear." The Medtronic Extended infusion set uses advanced materials that help reduce insulin preservative loss and maintain insulin flow and stability to double the wear time of a set. It leverages proprietary technology like a new tubing connector that improves the physical and chemical stability of insulin and the reliability of infusion site performance, as well as reduces the risk of infusion set occlusion. Medtronic says use of the Extended infusion set is also estimated to result in annual cost savings of insulin of up to 25% due to a reduced number of set and reservoir changes that result in unrecoverable insulin, as well as plastic waste reduction of up to 50%. The Medtronic Extended infusion set is now available exclusively for users on the MiniMed 600 and 700 series pumps.