[Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall.

Fri Jul 5 13:07:49 UTC 2019

This is very different from other devices in that it has life-threatening consequences for us if there is not at minimum a workable option for us. 

Eileen

From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Thursday, July 4, 2019 10:24 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall.

I don't disagree with you at all, but how is this different than every other device, program, software, etc. that's not accessible, and companies are not trying to make accessible? And people with other medical conditions also run into similar problems with accessibility in medical devices. It's the problem we come up against every day as blind people with all sorts of things. For every step forward we make, we seem to keep 20 more in place. I've been blind for 16 years now, and I see the exact same discussion happen every year about all manner of accessibility issues. So what finally gives?

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, July 4, 2019 9:12 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall.

I’m telling you we are all, each and every one of us no matter if using a Medtronic or other brand insulin pump on very treacherous ground with there being not a single other pump we can be switched over to. What all these companies get away with is horrible not making features available to those of us who are blind diabetics.

The person who called me to tell me about this article is helping her blind spouse to try and get a new insulin pump. His is a J&J pump that will be out of warrantee very soon and J&J isn’t making them any more either. They referred him to Medtronic and its up in the air right now if Medtronic will come through for them or not.

Its horrible.

Eileen

From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Thursday, July 4, 2019 5:28 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Veronica Elsea 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall.

In a way, this one really surprises me. I was in Las Vegas in 2011 when across town, at a different conference, someone demonstrated hacking into a Minimed pump, as it was called then. That's one of the things that made them stop talking to James whatever his name was, who made a talking remote for one of their pumps. 
So I really can't figure out why they're suddenly doing this because this is really old information. And if your particular pump doesn't use a remote, how is someone going to get in? And mind you, there is no evidence of this actually happening anywhere. So as far as I'm concerned, they're panicking about the wrong person getting in and not bothering to let many other people in at all. That's old news too. I remember them talking about making an insulin pump we could use back in the nineties. 
But boy, crossing my fingers that you guys don't get your only option snatched out from under you.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
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Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2019 12:05 PM
To: NFB Diabetes Talk
Cc: Eileen Scrivani
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic Insulin Pump Recall.

Hi Medtronic Pump Users:

A friend just called to tell me about an article she was reading in her local paper. Apparently, Medtronic is recalling insulin pumps of which the Paradigm series is included, because of security risks.

Below is a write up I located on line from only a few days ago. Unfortunately, my pump is among the recalled models.While I’m not giving this pump easily, if they recall them it could mean the supplies for it will no longer be obtainable.

Eileen

ps because hackers could hijack device
list of 3 items
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BY AIMEE PICCHI

JUNE 28, 2019 / 9:16 AM / MONEYWATCH

list of 3 items
•  Medtronic is recalling several models of its MiniMed insulin pumps because of a risk that hackers could take control and change their settings. 
•  The FDA said diabetics should talk with their doctors about switching to models with more cybersecurity protection. 
•  Diabetics should get help right away if they think their MiniMed settings have changed, or they feel symptoms of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.

list end

Medtronic is recalling several models of its MiniMed insulin pumps because of a cybersecurity risk that could allow hackers to take control of the devices remotely and change their settings, potentially leading to serious health complications. 

"Patients with diabetes using these models should switch their insulin pump to models that are better equipped to protect against these potential risks,"
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. 

The pumps work by using a wireless radio frequency to communicate with other devices used by diabetics, such as blood glucose monitors and glucose sensor transmitters. In a letter to patients, Medtronic said that "an unauthorized person" could potentially connect wirelessly to one of the nearby pumps and change its settings. 
Because insulin pumps regulate the dose and frequency of insulin given to diabetics, interference with their settings could cause potentially serious health implications.

"This could lead to hypoglycemia (if additional insulin is delivered) or hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (if not enough insulin is delivered),"
Medtronic said in the letter. 

It's not the first time security issues have been raised about Medtronic insulin pumps. In 2011, security researcher Jay Radcliffe warned about a security flaw that could allow a hacker to disable a Medtronic insulin pump. 

"No confirmed reports"

Medtronic said it has received "no confirmed reports of unauthorized persons changing settings or controlling insulin delivery."

Medtronic is recommending that diabetics who use the pump take several precautions, including keeping the pump and devices connected to the pump "within your control at all times." People who use the pump should also be alert to the pump's notifications, alarms and alerts and not share their pump's serial number. 

The FDA recommends seeking medical help if diabetics with the pumps believe their settings have changed, or they feel symptoms of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Below are the models, with the software version in parenthesis:

list of 11 items
•  MiniMed 508 (All versions)
•  MiniMed Paradigm 511 (All versions)
•  MiniMed Paradigm 512/712 (All versions) •  MiniMed Paradigm 515/715 (All versions) •  MiniMed Paradigm 522/722 (All versions) •  MiniMed Paradigm 522K/722K (All versions) •  MiniMed Paradigm 523/723 (Version 2.4A or lower) •  MiniMed Paradigm 523K/723K (Version 2.4A or lower) •  MiniMed Paradigm 712E* (All versions) •  MiniMed Paradigm Veo 554CM/754CM* (Version 2.7A or lower) •  MiniMed Paradigm Veo 554/754* (Version 2.6A or lower) list end

First published on June 28, 2019 / 9:16 AM

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