Medtronic 780G

Type 1 and LADA
21

Nice tip!

My first inset change—2 months ago now?—I pulled up a YouTube vid and just followed what they did, which was to fill the syringe, then do the evacuate-the-bladder thing complete with snap!, then tap-squint-and-push to expel the air bubble (I do not know HOW they managed to do that without spritzing insulin all over, but that’s what happens to me), then inject the insulin into the port. My own spin to avoid the insulin splatter has been to expel the air by sticking the needle back into the vial and pushing it out that way. But your old(er)-school method makes a lot of sense. I’m going to give that a try next time.

22

I sent a PM about the link for the British diabetes site where they post about 780 G use. I wasn’t sure about posting other sites on this site per the rules.

23

It’s fine for factual, informational purposes. Spam links for commercial purposes are another matter, but those are usually from bots, not real people.

1 Like
24

Just received an email from Medtronic saying yhat my upgrade kit is on its way, and a link to the training. Looking forward to getting started. Will do the training sometime in the next couple of days.

Never had much problem with either the 670G, the 770G, or the guardian 3 sensor. Hope the 780G algorythem is all that the claim it to be. Gonna be interesting to compare with my current t:slim.

This is going to be fun!

1 Like
25

Been waiting for about a month as well for me. Hopefully I’m next :slight_smile:

1 Like
26

My trainer did not do that. We filled the syringe with insulin, inserted in the white spot, turned with the cartridge up, drew 3-4 cc of air. Removed the syringe and expelled the air. This method is really helpful.

Often when drawing the insulin there will be a stubborn half bubble that can’t be purged. That 3-4 cc of air gobbles that bubble making it easy to purge.

On other thing I do is to fill my cartridge and the tubing/set in front of my computer screen. It makes it easier to see things like air bubbles in the base of the needle.

As to magic spots where the needle goes all the way in, we’ll, I always wonder where the insulin is going. I certainly don’t try to hot that spot on purpose.

27

@RLR56, will they include G4 transmitter?

28

If you are in warranty, yes.

29

I’ll find out for sure on Friday when my upgrade kit arrives, but it is my understanding that the kit includes the new Guardian4 sensors and new transmitter.

1 Like
30

How soon are they scheduling the training?

31

I received the link for the training earlier this week. Havent had an opportunity to take it yet. With the upgrade kit scheduled for arrival tomorrow, looks like I know what I’ll be doing this weekend! Will report back.

32

Right. So, it’s all on line and not a live training session?
Good luck with that!

33

Will Medtronic allow you to do the training, before you get the product?

34

@HighHopes I haven’t gone thru the training yet (very busy couple of days), and I received my upgrade kit yesterday. My understanding is that your link for the training and the upgrade kit go out at the same time, but you have to complete the training before you can access the actual download of 780 firmware.

1 Like
35

Getting ready to start the training … four modules (7 min, 23 min, 26 min, and 3 min). Since I was on the 670G and 770G for about 6 years, I don’t anticipate any real problems.

Interesting note … in the box that contained the upgrade kit, it contained a number of books and a new Guardian4 transmitter, but no G4 sensors. Sent a message to them to see what’s up with that. Can’t really get started without them.

Here is a pic on what I received. (Note that the “It’s Here!” box in the upper right just has a couple of instruction booklets.)

20230701_194412
20230701_1944121920×1440 279 KB

Well … off to Medtronic school! :crazy_face: :student:

1 Like
36

What kind of sensors?

37

I’ve read that there is no difference in the Guardian 3 & 4 sensors. The difference is in the transmitter. Medtronic has done this before, re-labeled something and making it look like it’s all new. When the 770g came out they gave the G3 sensors a new SKU for people on the 770. The current “7 day” reservoirs are the exact same as the regular 3 day reservoirs. The difference there is in the tubing, but that’s part of the infusion set and not the reservoir.

38

I like that, because i have some reservoirs id like to use, but i will need more infusion sets. I’ll need more sensors too. So buying 3 or 4 won’t matter to me.

Just praying my G3 transmitter holds out until i can get transitioned to 780. I’m waiting for my out of pocket max on my insurance to clear on my account. I paid those costs over 2 weeks ago!

39

Well, I performed my 780G upgrade last Friday afternoon. Overall, the upgrade process was fairly straight-forward. However, the instructions were a bit unclear in a couple of places. I ended up figuring those areas out on my own (didn’t have to call Medtronic), but some of them took a a little trial-and-error. They state that it will take about 2.5 hours, but my experience was longer than that.

The first thing I noticed was the Guardian4 transmitter was markedly more difficult to get attached to the Guardian4 sensor. It took a significant amount of pushing to get the two physically connected. As soon as the transmitter clicked into place, though, the pump recognized it right away, and started the warm-up period. I had the same difficulty getting the transmitter plugged into the sensor with both sensors that I have used (more on that below) … not thrilled about that, especially since the only supported insertion location is fairly difficult to navigate without assistance (and more on that below).

A few notes on the G4 sensors … From the first CGM that Minimed/Medtronic has provided for the past 20+ years, they only “supported” using them in the abdomen. Using them in the arms, buttocks, legs, or other areas were never officially supported. So, I just went ahead and put the first sensor into my abdomen … wrong choice! For the G4 sensor, the only supported location is the back of the upper arm. Seems a bit ironic that the most cumbersome CGM in the market to attach (multiple components, multiple layers of taping, etc.) is only supported in the most difficult place to insert it yourself without assistance. I look forward to when the Simplera hits the street to make this easier.

The first sensor failed in less than 24 hours. There was no reason given in the History, other than “Sensor not working properly. Insert new sensor”. Didn’t get any pushback from Medtronic support about using my abdomen when I called to get the sensor replaced, but they did confirm that the back of the upper arm is the only supported location for the G4 sensor.

I also experienced a pump error 53 on Saturday afternoon (“Delivery stopped. Settings unchanged. Select OK to continue. See User Guide.”). I didn’t have to change my infusion set, but did have to rewind the plunger and re-start the infusion set. Called support and we went through a few tests, and everything looked OK.

Had another pump error 53 today … the pump alarm woke me up just after 6am! Since I was getting up in 30 minutes anyway, I got up and called Medtronic support. Went through the same few tests, and everything looked OK. I never had any pump errors when I was using the same pump as a 770G. Told them that if more errors started popping up, I was going to request a new pump replacement. I won’t have a pump that shoots an error every few days. Maybe something went goofy in the upgrade process? We’ll see.

The second sensor is working fine after 3 days now. I still had a couple of days left on my Dexcom G6 sensor, so I left in-place so I could compare the readings. The readings were very, very close … many times they were the same value, but never more than off each other by 5 or 10. No finger-stick calibrations on the G4 sensor. That was impressive, and well beyond my expectations.

One thing to keep in mind if you start with a 780G … either new or as an upgrade. SmartGuard Auto Mode can be enabled at any time (I turned it on right after I upgraded and got all of my settings entered), but it does not activate until the system completes a 48-hour warm-up period while you use the pump to deliver insulin. This warm-up period begins at midnight after the pump starts delivering insulin. During the warm-up period, the pump algorithm collects and processes data that help enable its automatic function. I understand the reason for the 48-hour initial warmup period, but the midnight timing is a little bit bothersome. Using midnight means that you will be alarmed at midnight 2 days after you start the pump.

So, today’s my first full day on the 780G with SmartGuard fully functional. We’ll see how it goes. Right now, I feel a bit cautious with the initial sensor failure and multiple pump errors. Hopefully it is just initial upgrade bumps, and things will smooth out from here.

Has anyone else gone through the 770G to 780G upgrade process? If so, share your experience.

1 Like
40

@HighHopes I also had quite a few reservoirs and infusion sets from 770G days before I switched last year to the Tandem. They still have plenty of time before their expiration date, so I have no qualms in using them before I order any new ones. On my 2nd one now, and so far, no problems (but I didn’t expect any with these items).

1 Like