Medtronic Launches Large-Capacity Insulin Pump Technology

Medtronic has launched its diabetes extended infusion set in some European countries, the company announced Thursday.The device, developed in partnership with ConvaTec subsidiary Unomedical and compatible with MiniMed 600 and 700 insulin pumps, allows insulin delivery to the body for a week without having to change out tubing, Medtronic said. Tubing usually needs to be changed every few days.So far, the investigational device has not been approved for sale in the U.S., but other European countries will offer the device later this year, Medtronic added.Medtronic’s new infusion set “enables diabetics to safely stay on insulin pump therapy with fewer interruptions and insertions unlike the previous infusion sets. At the same time, the set brings a certain amount of convenience and comfort to their diabetes management,” the company said in a statement.The Dublin company’s diabetes division is based in Northridge. Shares of Medtronic (MDT) closed up $1.95, or 1.6 percent, to $125.85 on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, a day when the Dow Jones industrial average was up nearly 1 percent.