From an article in the
Swedish Medical Center by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN:
The device most recently approved by the FDA is a wireless insulin pump system co-developed by Medtronic MiniMed and Becton, Dickinson and Company. The system, called the Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm 512 Insulin Pump and Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor, is comprised of a glucose monitor, external insulin pump, and dose calculator that work together to determine the amount of insulin needed.
With the insulin pump, whenever a patient performs a fingerstick, the glucose monitor automatically transmits the results to the pump. The pump, which contains a Bolus Wizard, recommends the proper insulin dosage by calculating the last insulin dosage, the amount of insulin still active in the body, the most recent glucose level, and the amount of carbohydrates to be consumed (input by the patient).
The pump is external and worn like a pager with tubing inserted into subcutaneous tissue. This seamless system is expected to help people manage their disease by fine-tuning the amount of insulin they receive, avoiding calculation errors, and adding convenience.