This page as a pdf file

UK pump news

Latest news from Britain and around the world on insulin pumps and diabetes

Search BBC News website

News collected by Insulin Pumpers UK

Medtronic MiniMed Ltd

January 2002: SilSerter now available

Photo of a MiniMed SilSerter

Applied Medical Technology has announced that the SilSerter, a new insertion gun for MiniMed Silhouettes, is now available. The SilSerter is similar to the SofSerter which inserts SofSets. Note that the SilSerter will not insert the Disetronic Tender version of this infusion set. More info...

June 2001: MiniMed merges with Medtronic

New logo of Medtronic MiniMed

MiniMed, formerly an independent health technology company created by Alfred Mann, has been bought by Medtronic. See the statement by MiniMed.

June 2001: Jeremy Grainger dies

We are saddened to learn of the death of Jeremy Grainger, who passed away on Sunday 17 June 2001. He had had diabetes since childhood, and used an insulin pump since 1980. He was for many years a trustee of Diabetes UK (the BDA), campaigning actively for wider support for insulin pump therapy. More info...

April 2001: MiniMed launches Quick-Set infusion set

A new infusion set by MiniMed is now available. The Quick-Set can be inserted automatically with the QuickSerter insertion gun. Like the SofSet it has a soft teflon catheter which goes in at right angles, but for added convenience it disconnects flush with the skin. Pictures and more info on our infusion sets page.

March 2001: Disetronic says don't get your H-TRON pump wet!

Disetronic have advised users of the H-TRON and H-TRON plus insulin pumps not to allow the pump to come into contact with water. They had previously claimed that the pumps were waterproof. But some users have reported that their pump malfunctioned after coming into contact with water, causing an overdose of insulin. It seems that water can seep into the pump through cracks in the case, causing the electronics to go wrong. More info on the Disetronic website....

February 2001: Disetronic delay launch of D-TRON pump

Disetronic have delayed the UK launch of their new D-TRON pump until late Spring 2001. Those purchasing an H-TRON in the meantime will be promised a free upgrade when the D-TRON becomes available.

December 2000: Disetronic D-TRON pump

Disetronic have announced that their new pump, the D-TRON, will be available in the UK from January 2001. The pump has lots of exciting new features, including the ability to detect a leak, and it will take a standard 3ml Humalog pen cartridge, so no more fiddly filling of cartidges. More info...

September 2000: MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

The new Continuous Glucose Monitoring System made by MiniMed has been available in the UK since June 2000, and is proving popular at selected diabetes clinics across the country. Devices may only be sold to doctors and clinics.

August 2000: Department of Health statement on pump therapy

The Department of Health has issued a statement in support of insulin pump therapy. They write:

"Although pumps are not in wide use across the country, if resources allow, hospital consultants may prescribe insulin pumps as part of NHS treatment. Health authorities may also provide equipment prescribed as part of NHS treatment either permanently or on loan. In these circumstances no charge should be made. However, it is for the health authorities to make decisions about the best use of their resources on the basis of locally determined clinical priorities and needs."

This statement follows a request from Diabetes UK (formerly called the British Diabetic Association). More text from the statement is available on the Diabetes UK website.

April 2000: Diabetes UK issues statement on pump therapy

Diabetes UK has issued a position statement on insulin pump therapy. It was approved at a meeting of the board of trustees in April 2000.

"Diabetes UK is aware that insulin pump therapy is a treatment which some people with Type 1 diabetes find beneficial in terms of overall control and quality of life. Certain people experience difficulties in controlling their diabetes and pumps may provide an alternative management option to multiple injections. Such people with diabetes should have equal access to the best diabetes care and health outcomes available. Diabetes UK believes that for certain people it should be available according to need and not ability to pay. As a first step towards progressing this issue we have written to the Department of Health asking them to clarify their position on pump therapy use across the UK. Diabetes UK calls for further research into the effectiveness of pump therapy."

See more in the full text of the statement.

17 Nov 1999: Disetronic to review policy of limiting pump life

Disetronic UK have announced that they are reviewing their current policy of setting their pumps to switch off permanently after a fixed period of time. The proposed new plans are not yet available, but it is expected that they will be more in line with that of the other pumps available on the market.

For more details contact Disetronic UK on 01203 531 338 or email info@disetronic.co.uk.

8 Nov 1999: Bristol to run pump trial

Prof Edwin Gale, the head of diabetes care in the Bristol region, has announced that he will be putting a small number of selected patients on insulin pumps for a limited period, believed to be 3 months, in order to evaluate their effectiveness. This reflects a renewed interest in the on-going role of insulin pump therapy.

1 Nov 1999: MiniMed announce 508 UK launch date

Applied Medical Technology, who distribute MiniMed products in the UK, have announced that the new 508 insulin pump will be available in the UK from 1 Jan 2000. This is believed to be ahead of its official European launch date.

The 508 is similar to the 507C, but includes a small remote control device which you can hang, for example, on your key-ring; a silent vibrating alarm; and the ability to switch between 3 different sets of basal rates.

1 Oct 1999: New rapid insulin hits UK market

Novo-Nordisk have now released their new rapid-acting insulin, NovoRapid, onto the UK market. This insulin works much faster than their most popular insulin, Actrapid. It is designed to be taken immediately before eating and matches more closely the digestion and glucose release of a normal meal. Tests have shown its use to be associated with reduced post-meal highs, and fewer nighttime hypoglycemias.

The insulin is not licensed for use by young children and pregnant women.

Created: Oct 1999; Last updated: Thursday 7 July 2005

Reader comments

Nobody has left a comment on this page yet. Why not be the first?