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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

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Published on: June 11, 2012
Evaluation of a Predictive Low-Glucose Management System In-Clinic
Bruce A Buckingham1, Timothy S Bailey2, Mark Christiansen3
11 Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
Background:
Predictions based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data are the basis for automatic suspension and resumption of insulin delivery by a predictive low-glucose management feature termed "suspend before low," which is part of the Medtronic MiniMed® 640G combined insulin pump and CGM system. This study assessed the safety and performance characteristics of the system in an in-clinic setting at eight sites.
Materials And Methods:
In-clinic standardized increases in basal insulin delivery rates were used to induce nocturnal hypoglycemia in subjects (14-75 years) with type 1 diabetes wearing the MiniMed 640G system. The "suspend before low" feature was set at 65 mg/dL, and as a result, the predictive algorithm suspended insulin delivery when the forecasted glucose was predicted to be ≤85 mg/dL in 30 min (a 20 mg/dL safety buffer). Reference plasma glucose values (Yellow Springs Instruments [YSI], Yellow Springs, OH) were used to establish hypoglycemia and were defined as ≥2 consecutive values ≤65 mg/dL.
Results:
Eighty subjects were screened. Among the 69 successful completers, 27 experienced a hypoglycemic event and 42 did not, a prevention rate of 60%. The mean (±standard deviation) YSI value at the time of pump suspension was 101 ± 18.5 mg/dL, and the mean duration of the 68 "suspend before low" events was 105 ± 27 min. At 120 min after the start of the pump suspension events, the mean YSI value was 102 ± 34.6 mg/dL.
Conclusion:
The MiniMed 640G "suspend before low" feature prevented 60% of induced predicted hypoglycemic events without significant rebound hyperglycemia.
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