Medtronic Announces Sales Milestone Of One Million Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors Worldwide

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Medical Devices
Article Date: 27 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced that it has reached the milestone of more than one million sensors for its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products manufactured and sold. The recipient of the milestone one millionth sensor was Tim Parker of San Jose, Calif. Parker, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 11 years ago, has used CGM therapy for two years to help him manage his diabetes.

"Today we salute Tim, thousands of patients like him and all of the Medtronic employees who have contributed to the success of our CGM technology," said Chris O'Connell, president of the Diabetes business at Medtronic. "Medtronic pioneered CGM 10 years ago, and this important milestone demonstrates our momentum and clear industry leadership in the exciting new field of continuous glucose monitoring."

Parker relies on his Paradigm™ REAL-Time System, and says it is fundamental to managing his diabetes effectively. Prior to adopting integrated insulin pump and CGM therapy, Parker - like many people with diabetes - experienced unexplained blood glucose excursions that worried him. "I would go to bed with my blood glucose levels at 110 and wake up at 220. What could be happening to my body while I was asleep?" said Parker. Motivated to keep his blood glucose in check, he began researching options and learned about Medtronic's CGM products on the Internet.

After receiving a prescription from his physician, Parker quickly experienced the value of having an integrated approach to his diabetes.

"When I first started using CGM, I was amazed at all the information I had at my fingertips. I could see how food, exercise and sleep affected my blood glucose levels day and night, which is something I wasn't able to do before," he recalled. "CGM gives me powerful information that allows me to take the right steps to better manage my diabetes, and provides alarms to help me avoid dangerous lows that I often cannot detect on my own."

As the pioneer in glucose sensing technology, Medtronic has more than a decade of CGM experience, and is leading the technology revolution in diabetes care by providing patients with new levels of protection, confidence and freedom in managing their diabetes.

The Paradigm REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System is the world's first insulin pump with REAL-Time continuous glucose monitoring. The Paradigm REAL-Time System has all of the benefits of CGM plus the added value of precise insulin delivery through the use of insulin pump therapy. The Guardian™ REAL-Time System is a stand-alone CGM device without insulin delivery. Both devices are available for adult patients as well as children ages seven to 17.

The Paradigm REAL-Time System relays glucose readings every five minutes from a glucose sensor to the insulin pump, which displays up to 288 readings a day - nearly 100 times more information than three daily fingersticks. Glucose measurements obtained by the sensor are relayed every five minutes and displayed in three-hour and 24-hour trend graphs, as well as arrows to indicate how quickly glucose is moving up or down.

To celebrate Parker's receipt of the one millionth glucose sensor, he will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Medtronic's Diabetes facility located in Northridge, Calif., where he will tour the facility, meet the senior management and engineering teams and see the glucose sensor manufacturing process.

Diabetes Statistics

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 21 million Americans (seven percent of the population) have the disease. Diabetes affects children and adults, costing the United States more than $174 billion in direct and indirect healthcare expenditures.

About The Diabetes Business at Medtronic

The Diabetes division at Medtronic is the world leader in advanced diabetes management solutions, including integrated diabetes management systems, insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems and therapy management software.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology, alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

http://www.medtronic.com