Medtronic Expands Recall to Include More Than 463,000 Insulin Pumps

October 5, 2021
Robert Preidt

Medtronic has expanded a recall of its MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps to include more than 463,000 of the devices.

The pumps may deliver incorrect dosing of insulin and the recall has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Class I recall -- the most serious type -- because use of the recalled devices may cause serious harm or death.

The pumps are used by people with type 1 diabetes to deliver insulin to manage their diabetes.

The recall was first announced in November 2019 for two models: Model 630G, which may be used by people 16 and older and was sold between September 2016 and February 2020, and Model 670G, which may be used by patients 7 and older and was sold from May 2015 to December 2020.

In an Oct. 5 update about the recall, Medtronic said it will now replace any MiniMed 600 series insulin pump that has a clear retainer ring with one that has the updated black retainer ring at no charge. A replacement insulin pump will be provided even if the clear retainer ring is not damaged and regardless of the warranty status of the pump.

Customers with questions about the recall can call Medtronic's 24-hour technical support line at 1-877-585-0166.

Medtronic previously alerted customers about missing or broken clear retainer ring of the MiniMed 630G and 670G insulin pumps.

The retainer ring helps lock the insulin cartridge into place in the pump's reservoir compartment. If the cartridge is not locked firmly into place, under- or over-delivery of insulin may occur, which could result in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Severe hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can be life-threatening or may result in death.

Serious injuries and deaths have been reported among patients using MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps, but those incidents may not have been directly related to the damaged clear retainer rings that triggered the recall, according to Medtronic.

Medtronic provided updated recommendations to customers:

Determine if you have a clear retainer ring. That can be done by going to a Medtronic website and entering the serial number of your pump.
Examine the retainer ring of the pump. If the ring is loose, damaged or missing, or the reservoir does not lock into the pump, stop using the pump and contact Medtronic for a replacement pump.
If you stop using the pump, follow your doctor's recommendations and perform manual insulin injections. Do not insert the reservoir back into your pump while connected because you could mistakenly give yourself a rapid, and possibly large, insulin dose.
If the reservoir locks in place correctly and the retainer ring is not loose, damaged or broken, continue to use the pump until you receive a replacement pump. Follow instructions provided by Medtronic to replace and use the pump.
Check your pump and retainer ring for damage every time you replace the insulin reservoir, or when it is dropped or bumped.

More information

The American Diabetes Association has more on type 1 diabetes.

SOURCE: Medtronic, news release, Oct. 5, 2021

Diabetes: Management Diabetes: Type I Food &, Drug Administration Insulin Recalls