(Thomson Reuters ONE via COMTEX) --Latest Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Provides Improved Comfort and Sensing Experience

VIENNA - February 6, 2014 - Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced the European launch of new generation Enlite®, the latest iteration of the company's Enlite glucose sensor. New generation Enlite is designed to provide a more consistent and comfortable experience for people using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Insulin pumps with built-in CGM provide more precise insulin delivery and lifestyle flexibility for people with diabetes. In addition to delivering small amounts of insulin around-the-clock, these integrated systems provide real-time glucose values and customizable alerts that give warning before glucose levels go too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia), prompting the person with diabetes to take preventative action.

"My patients have started using the new generation Enlite sensors, and I have noticed a clear improvement in performance in terms of accuracy, especially in the hypoglycemia range. We also discovered that good performance was maintained for all six days, and that this was consistent across all of my patients who tried the sensors," said Professor Emanuele Bosi, Director of the Diabetes Research Institute at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.

The new generation Enlite sensor is used as part of the MiniMed® Veo(TM) system, an integrated insulin pump and CGM system, which is clinically proven to provide better glucose control than multiple daily injections[1]. Better glucose control reduces the risk of long-term diabetes complications, such as eye disease, kidney disease and nerve damage[2]. The MiniMed Veo system includes a feature called Low Glucose Suspend, which is the only system clinically proven to significantly reduce hypoglycemia[3],[4]- a dangerous short-term effect of diabetes that can cause confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness and, in severe cases, even death. 

"At Medtronic, we're committed to developing technology that improves clinical outcomes for people living with diabetes through innovation of our sensors, such as new generation Enlite, and advanced features like Low Glucose Suspend (LGS). Sensors that perform well and are comfortable for people with diabetes to wear are critical to helping people achieve the clinical outcomes that CGM-enabled features like LGS provides," said Greg Meehan, Vice President and General Manager of the Continuous Glucose Monitoring business at Medtronic. "New generation Enlite marks another critical milestone of innovation towards an artificial pancreas."

New generation Enlite improvements include:

- An 80 percent reduction in implanted volume (the size of what goes inside the patient's body)

- Improved sensor-to-transmitter connection

- Updated sensor adhesive patch design to help reduce likelihood of skin irritation

- New chemistry pattern and layers, designed for more consistent daily performance through the life of the sensor

"The new generation of Enlite sensors we have tried are much more accurate even in the low range, and the comfort has also been improved. The former is definitely what I see as an outstanding advantage for the patients," said Dr. Med. Kirsten Norgaard, Specialist in Endocrinology at Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark.

New generation Enlite received CE (Conformité Européenne) mark, is available today in six countries and will be launched across Western Europe within the next few months. The product is not approved for use in the U.S.

About the Diabetes Business at Medtronic

The Diabetes business at Medtronic (www.medtronicdiabetes.com) is the world leader in advanced diabetes management solutions, including integrated diabetes management systems, insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems and therapy management software, as well as world-class, 24/7 expert consumer and professional service and support. 

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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[1] Bergenstal RM, Tamborlane WV, Ahmann A, et al. Effectiveness of sensor-augmented insulin-pump therapy in type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med.2010;363:311-320.

[2] The Diabetes Control and Complication Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. J Pediatr 1994; 125: 177-88

[3]Bergenstal RM, Klonoff DC, Garg SK, et al. Threshold-Based Insulin Pump Interruption for

Reduction of Hypoglycemia. N Engl J Med. June 2013.

[4] Ly.T et.al, JAMA September 2013, volume 310, number 12, page 1247

 

Contacts:

Amanda Sheldon

Public Relations

+1-818-576-4826

Jeff Warren

Investor Relations

+1-763-505-2696

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Source: Medtronic, Inc. via Globenewswire

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