Medtronic Recalls MiniMed Pump Due To Battery Life Concerns

Medtronic plc MDT initiated a recall Friday to address potential battery life issues with its insulin pumps.

As of July 31, the company has advised customers to pay close attention to their pumps’ battery alerts and alarms.

The action follows reports of shortened battery life, which Medtronic linked to pumps that had been dropped or impacted.

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This damage to internal electrical components may result in the pump stopping insulin delivery earlier than expected, posing risks such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

DKA is a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to use blood sugar for energy.

Medtronic’s investigation revealed that even a single drop could significantly reduce battery life, either immediately or over time.

This issue persists within the MiniMed 600 and 700 pumps even after the battery is replaced.

Additionally, battery alerts and alarms may not provide the usual warning before the pump stops insulin delivery, increasing the need for users to replace the battery as soon as the “Low Battery Pump” alarm is triggered.

Medtronic strongly advises users to carry extra AA lithium, alkaline, or fully charged NiMH batteries as a precaution.

The issue is serious, as Medtronic has received 170 reports of hyperglycemia exceeding 400 mg/dL and 11 reports of DKA in the U.S. between January 2023 and September 2024, possibly related to this problem.

The FDA has classified the action as a class I recall. That’s the most serious type of recall due to potential adverse health consequences.

Medtronic users who experience shortened battery life should contact their local support team to assess whether a replacement pump is needed.

In 2021, Medtronic expanded the Class I recall of its MiniMed 600 series insulin pumps. The company offered to replace all of them with a clear retainer ring.

Price Action: MDT stock closed at $87.72 on Friday.

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