The History of Diabetes Tech

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I went to Medtronic headquarters in LA to learn about the history of diabetes technology and the journey to an artificial pancreas. I spoke with Ali Dianaty, Medtronic's Senior VP of Product Innovation and Operations about the first backpack-sized insulin pump, early Minimed pumps, an implantable insulin pump, the first continuous glucose monitors and more! Would you like to see more videos like this? Have you used this tech? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
📱Follow for more: / diabe_tech | / diabe_tech | / diabetechjustin
Watch the Podcast: • Diabetech Podcast
Medtronic paid for travel expenses of this trip, but had no control over the production or reporting in this video. HUGE thank you to the Medtronic team, Alex Adams and Toby for shooting/directing, and Georgi Goldman for your guidance.
Research Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1m...
Products I Recommend:
Sugar Pixel: bit.ly/SugarPixel
Tidbyt: bit.ly/Tidbyt
Supplies: amzn.to/3N2Qs5F
DISCLAIMER: My videos are not medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health care.
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Chapters:
History of Medtronic - 01:31
Early Blood Glucose Meters - 03:16
First Insulin Pump Backpack - 04:26
The AutoSyringe Pump - 06:04
Implantable Insulin Pump - 08:30
First CGMs - 13:23
Automated Insulin Delivery Systems - 15:26
-- Product Link Disclosure -- In order to create free content, I use affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through certain links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

[@diabe_tech]

Check out our Patreon and Community Discord: Patreon: bit.ly/3TKpdRK | Discord: discord.gg/gDFgjHKeax

[@mral6809]

You should check out the pump maker Cosmos that went out of business. It had some amazing features like correction suggestions for lows, multi sport, food type (fatty vs fiber) and other features that I wish pumps had today.

[@angiezagelow8430]

So interesting, thank you! I have been T1 for almost 50 years and I remember when I was 8 and went to a diabetic camp and people were using glucometers. I was horrified, I didn't want anything to do with more poking. When I hit junior high, I carried around a brick in my backpack and the glucose tests would take about 3 minutes to complete. Got my first Medtronic pump in 1996. We've come a long way...can't wait to see what comes out in the next couple years.

[@diabe_tech]

Wow thank you for sharing! I would love to explore all of this more - there's so much more to learn about these early devices...

[@Byefriendo]

Its wild that the very first pump basically did what the forefront of modern pumps is still trying to do, just was very bulky.

[@diabe_tech]

RIGHT!? This was one of the most surprising findings of my research!

[@TheRealXXDarknezz]

It basically correlates with computers/electronics in general. A room-sized supercomputer from the 70's easily fits into our pockets in smartphones, even gets surpassed by it in power!

[@kaddiddlehopper]

In my opinion, aside from insulin development, continuous glucose monitors are the single most important diabetes tech development to have been created. You can have good numbers with any technology, doesn't matter if it's pump or mdi or pill, but only if you know what your numbers are. You don't have a clue what your blood sugar graph looks like in relation to food and activity until you have a cgm. No amount of training will replace this real time information.

[@diabe_tech]

100%! CGMs are such a huge innovation - have learned so much from the information it provides.

[@lizardsman601]

props to the open source community

[@diabe_tech]

100%

[@jvmiller1995]

I wonder just how many lives medtronics have saved. I had a device for bladder incontinence in 2004 but it got infected and had to come out. I now have a metronics gastric pacemaker for gastroparesis that has changed my life forever.

[@gregcarnes80]

The most recent pumps in the 800 series were made with plastic that easily broke. So I understood some litigation issues came about because of the case failure. I moved to Tandem with a case made from aluminum. Tandem allowed third-party products like Dexcom, Medtronics didn't. Medtronics closed the door to listening to people who are diabetic in favor of profits. Look all these companies need to make money and the only way to do that is with the sale of supplies for the pump. The need to make money will directly influence the future of insulin pumps and technology. I predict no huge changes anytime soon.

[@Selene13zz]

I've been T1 for 35+ years and I wore the first CGM for a week when it came out & got me really excited for the improvements that followed after. I *think* my first pump was a 507 and I definitely wore the Paradigm which actually helped me through a high risk pregnancy & I wore a pump for 20 years after that. My kid grew up thinking that the alerts were music that would randomly play & he'd actually sing them sometimes. LOL I was also told that implantable pumps were like the islet cell transplant and you couldn't have it unless you were also getting a kidney transplant. Education about medical improvements is so incredibly important for doctors to keep getting. I've been off because of insurance issues but I'll be getting back on in a few months & I'm so excited. Sick of taking 6-8 shots a day. It certainly makes you appreciate these modern marvels & Medtronic.

[@gee_on_wheels]

I am not diabetic, but I am disabled (wheelchair user with Cerebral Palsy and Autism). I'm really fascinated when it comes to past and future medical devices / Medicine. I really enjoyed this video. I hope you can make some more

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for watching :)

[@lizzo120]

Call that the "god hates you combo" the "u don't need to exist" special

[@LERJizz]

Very interesting and well put together video. As a nurse and NP I truly appreciate it. Thanks.

[@diabe_tech]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@kaitlynkennedy4943]

This is such a cool video! Thank you for making it.

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you liked it!

[@kfl611]

Wow this was very informative. Thank you for posting this video.

[@diabe_tech]

And thanks for watch!

[@latainethomas3595]

Yhank you for taking us along to learn more I loved loop but then chose Omnipod 5 still keep up with loop

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for watching :)

[@michas4740]

It's interesting to see history of science, how come we improve! Thank you for creating this educational videos

[@l-l]

Awesome video. I'm not diabetic, but love learning about random tech and engineering topics. Your enthusiasm was contagious and this video was an insightful watch. Medical technology is such an interesting topic and sadly so many companies are pushing for unrepairability and planned obsolescence. I hope someday the open source community is able to take on big players in the medical technology industry and offer cost effective alternatives to expensive hardware.

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for sharing! :)

[@shahinmsh]

What an amazing video . Thank you justin . Thank you

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karentomaziefski6056]

Great video Justin. Very informative. My.first pump was minimed 507.

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sharlas8030]

Great video. We've come a long way!

[@brendaparker6766]

Very interesting to see history, hopeful for more!

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theresamelvin60]

Enjoyed this video so amazing how far we have come when i reflect on my first diagnosis and the the choices available to what im using now so lucky we are at this amazing technology well done for this

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@jeffhendley9564]

Great content and interesting. I worked at Pacesetter Systems with Al Mann back in the day selling pacemakers to cardiologist. He and his son were both instrumental in pacemaker and diabetes technology. His time with NASA also brought all types of technologies to the medical industry, ie telemetry. FYI,I started watching your channel because my granddaughter has T1 and I am interested in the latest and greatest technology that might make her life easier. Keep up the good work.

[@diabe_tech]

Oh wow, so interesting! Would love to hear more about your time there. There is so much more I want to learn about Al Mann and his endeavors. Thanks for sharing!!

[@jothydev]

Exciting video, truly professional 👏👏

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks :)

[@lorilorsch-kj2mg]

I would like to know more of the bio inlet. I will support your show.❤

[@rayoflight62]

CGM should be a standard for every diabetic, both 1 and 2. Here in the UK the socialised healthcare system only pay for test strips, and the care plans and procedures are developed around a SINGLE blood sugar measurement in the morning. Btw, even with a cgm and manual injections, you can only hope to keep the blood sugar in a range of 80 - 180 mg/dL. The CGM has a 10-15 minutes delay, and the insulin injection takes another 15 or so minutes to act, so you can only keep the Blood Sugar reading within a windows, not a single value of say, 80 mg/dL. Anyway here in the UK we use an archaic unit of measurement for blood glucose, i.e. mmol/L - multiply by 18 to get the mg/dL reading.

[@diabe_tech]

CGM should be available to all diabetics! 100%

[@stevelawrence8777]

This isn't true at all. I've recently been diagnosed T1, and have plenty of test strips, and encouraged to use them & check 6+ times a day. The Diabetic team have already mentioned getting a CGM. The NHS even state they're available to all T1s.

[@shefski55555]

@@stevelawrence8777 Yeah I've even just recently gotten a pump (the 780g hybrid closed loop mentioned in the video) all via the NHS so no idea what they're on about

[@grahamluther9394]

This is untrue. My wife is Diabetic and was able to apply for a medical exemption from prescription charges for Diabetes meds when this happened in 2019 after course of steroids for infection knocked her Pancreas out. She was issued with the blood glucose monitor, a trial pack of test strips to start with, and the same with the lances and a lancing device, all in a zip around pouch. CGM's are in process of being rolled out to Diabetics in the UK, a decision the NHS has taken. Most vulnerable first, as you'd expect. My wife will see if she's eligible to try CGM under the next tier of roll-out, at her next 6 monthly consultant appointment this month. Very exciting! Private purchase too costly otherwise at £50 per 2 weeks approx. Poster do ask your GP for clarification if matters/process unclear to you. All the best.

[@grahamluther9394]

@@stevelawrence8777 Makes sense, as this is very new news! You must be in the first tier of roll out then, that makes sense this means Type1's first, what a relief for you to be able to hit the ground running with this situation. My wife's keen to try CGM and asked about it last Nov 2023 at the consultant's visit, and was told this news then and that whilst she wasn't eligible then, but there ought to be more news on further eligibility on the roll-out by the time her next appointment came round in 6 months which is due soon. All the best.

[@brianfontenot8264]

great video Justin. Keep up the awesome job with the videos.

[@diabe_tech]

I appreciate it! Will do.

[@marcosmarinsmachado6114]

Thanks!

[@diabe_tech]

Thank you so much!!!

[@shelleyhodgkinson1341]

Super interesting!

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you think so!

[@willbe3043]

Very cool video!

[@diabe_tech]

Thank you very much!

[@solomonkushner3012]

I'm not sure if you are having a follow-up with them, but I'm wondering - Why can't they implant the tubing for the current pumps into the peritoneal cavity and create a port that external pumps connect to? So they would only put the tubing of the pump in the body, and the only risk would be infection (although they have ports for cancer treatment and others- so I'm sure they have solutions for this). This would prevent scar tissue that comes with insulin injections and allow all the benefits of an internal pump like quicker speed for insulin to work, while also removing the biggest issue of external pumps - site issues. Genuinely curious if you can ask.

[@diabe_tech]

This is a fantastic question - will definitely ask about this. Would be amazing.

[@VyewVyew]

The implantable ports for cancer treatment etc still have infection risks and they are a nightmare to troubleshoot and remove when infected or blocked

[@mktegaki_e]

Not mentioned in the video but the improvement from a 3 day CGM needing multiple calibrations a day to a 7 day one only needing very few has been a huge thing for me. I attempted to use a 3 day one in college where I also worked a fast food job, I could never step away to calibrate it when it beeped like every other hour, so it was completely useless to me The upgrade to a 7 day CGM with 2 calibrations per day years later was a huge relief and helped me keep my blood sugar in check for a healthy pregnancy. Now Im on the Medtronic Guardian 4 with 780G pump which has an ever better Smart Guard mode and less calibrations required and I'm doing so much better, and think it will help pregnancies even moreso!

[@diabe_tech]

I want to do a video that focuses on CGM tech evolution! Thanks for sharing.

[@F0nzey]

i appreciate you

[@diabe_tech]

ditto!

[@kaydabalab]

super interesting

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you think so!

[@maayanparnass1373]

Supet interesting!

[@diabe_tech]

Glad you think so :)

[@Ender_Wiggin]

1973 - The first wearable pump Dean Kamen invents the first wearable infusion pump while he was an undergraduate physics student. This first invention would go on to have applications in many aspects of the medical field not only for insulin delivery but chemotherapy and other endocrinological conditions.

[@diabe_tech]

Incredible! I plan to tell the story of Dean Kamen soon! Thanks for sharing.

[@Ender_Wiggin]

Deleted my other comments I am glad that Dean kamen was represented.

[@EieiExamplEeiEi]

Wow , now I know where I'm gonna take my internship to.

[@sarowie]

good strategie to ask for likes :-) I am only tangently interrested in this topic, but it is so much fun to watch a guy with passion, context and curiosity to talk with experts that have expertise, passion and their own background.

[@diabe_tech]

Hehehe it’s a new strategy I picked up from another creator! I’m glad I did. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@jw33]

Those large blue cylinders in the backpack look like they are DC storage capacitors mocked up to look like pressure vessels.

[@Alextherock9]

I hope you will review the upcoming Galaxy smartwatch that has CGM. I'm really interested if it works or not.

[@diabe_tech]

I heard about this....absolutely will if it is true!

[@Alextherock9]

@@diabe_tech This will change the whole CGM landscape. Why would you buy any CGM you have to replace every 2 weeks when you can buy a 1 time purchase of a samsung smartwatch. What would those CGM companies do when this is true? i'm guessing it's true because why would samsung promote is if it's not true? Or do they mean that you can read your CGM to your smartwatch? IDK. I hope you do a video about it. In a couple of weeks they will relase the Samsung watch.

[@christopherdecker8171]

I think the implanted CGM would be neat too. It would really stink though if you get bad ones, like a G6 sensor fails early. I'd hate to get an implant and have it only last a few weeks.

[@davida.3510]

@@Alextherock9 They haven't said it will be a CGM. It will probably give you a measurement when you require it, not every 5 minutes, like a CGM. We'll see it when it releases, though.

[@lumpichu]

I'd like to ask why we still don't use even U200 insulin in pumps. It would be the simplest improvement and it would surely help a lot, especially in the long run, to people with higher doses, by doing less harm to the tissue. With the high precision today, it shouldn't be a problem for even low doses. And I expect it would make the insulin also act faster. Half the volume should be absorbed faster, right? Probably a historic thing noone has big enough power to change from U100 :(

[@portalman95]

Just wish there was this much care and advancement in actually providing the insulin to people who cant afford it. empty pump would be useless i think.

[@diabe_tech]

VALID point!

[@phoenixcerimastin]

So I have met Dean a few times and he also created the Coke freestyle machines which is a fun fact

[@diabe_tech]

Yea I heard that! I love those machines!

[@ChozoSR388]

Crimony... the size of those electrolytic caps in that '60s insulin pump...

[@diabe_tech]

We've come a long way!

[@onerian8178]

my sketchy endocryn ruined insulin pumps for me. i know theyre not bad but the way he prescribed a bunch of stuff without telling me first and changing dosages before seeing how the last change affected me was traumatizing.

[@smilinghorse4069]

MiniMed pumps from the 90s seem to look better than the ones from 2000-2010s. Also, Medtronic seems far behind on technology on multiple fronts - Simplera being less advanced than competitors and new infusion sets (Mio Advanced) being less convenient than the old ones. Also the commercial practices are strange (if you order supplies in Portugal, the cost is triple of the normal market prices). Please invest in R&D, Medtronic! Being greedy is slowing you down!

[@TechToyTV]

MiniMed/Medtronic has been awful for decades now. Once there was viable competition, I switched and will NEVER go back to one of their products

[@esra_erimez]

I wonder how neural networks could benefit algorithms for insulin delivery

[@diabe_tech]

my thoughts exactly!

[@T1DDIABETES]

Happy we're in 2024 💙

[@danshand]

Who else saw the meter reading at 13:07 and had an instant feeling of dread knowing how bad that feels? 😅

[@HIHIQY1]

I don't have experience with this subject, what would feel bad exactly?

[@danshand]

@@HIHIQY1 High blood sugar in general is uncomfortable- you get very thirsty and lethargic and have to pee a lot. With 3 arrows up it means it’s still climbing quickly. This could happen if you forget to dose for a meal. Given it takes 20 mins or so for insulin to start reducing blood sugar you’re in for a wait before you feel normal again.

[@DASLAKILL]

The best innovation in the diabetes industry would be doctors telling their patients to eat a carbohydrate and sugar restrictive diet so they dont have diabetes.

[@brendashaffer7747]

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. Carbs and sugar are not the cause. Besides, everything you eat is turned into carbs just at a slower rate with less impact on Blood sugars but an impact none the less. I promise if it was something we did to ourselves to cause our diabetes we would stop it immediately.

[@youngrumel]

🥰

[@nicoleamato9338]

I remember the implantable pump. There was so much excitment around it as a possible "cure" for type 1. Then it just so of faded into the background. Sad really

[@diabe_tech]

I hope it comes back - maybe this video could inspire someone to make it happen!

[@jcclark2060]

Kind of hops around in time. It would make more sense to introduce Minimed when the timeline is there. Reference to them early in the video, going back to the first devices, then speaking to them does not work in my mind.

[@Devo1987]

My mom had diabetes so insulin has been around for a long time yet it's still really expensive. Wow come on

[@Sharkwedge]

Repomen anybody?

[@_vla]

The Romanians crawled so the Canadians could steal or how ever the hell that quote is spelled

[@zudemaster]

Artificial pancakes? 😋

[@diabe_tech]

exactly!

[@ENNEN420]

A whole museum of wonders keeping families healthy and together for decades for non-Americans, and a whole museum of solid diamonds you have no choice to buy that tears your family apart but not AS apart as death with the financial burden for far too long Americans! Fun for the family!

[@The-creator-of-good-videos-15]

Does he actually have one or not?

[@WoWUndad]

maybe you shouldve had a diet other than soda as a child

[@huntressgaming8521]

😐 type 1 is caused by the immune system. Nothing to do with soda 🥤😒

[@jdhunt8727]

Sorry, things are not as rosy as you explain. First of all long term insulin pump use is not practical, because over time (years of use) the insertion canula causes scar tissue to form in the abdomen impeding absorption of Insulin leading to poor glucose control. Then you have to go back to daily insulin injections. Secondly, CGMs really don't work, the newest CGM made by the largest well known company is terribly inaccurate and prone to failure. CGM readings can sometime vary as much as 100 units from a glucometer reading. This makes this device useless. This coming from a Type 1 diabetic with 45 year of diabetes experience.

[@WooHooSum]

As a type one who uses a pump and cgm you're totally wrong and spreading misinformation. Using a bio steel needle the canula leaves far less damage. Also while the dexcom g7 sucks the g6 is the most reliable blood glucose tester on the market.

[@leolandi3852]

Cgms work fine, they're used by millions with very few issues. Libre

[@blondy2061h]

I’ve been on a pump for 20 years now and really have no issues just rotate my sites

[@stinkymccheese8010]

If they had continued to work on it they would have gotten around it as it stands they could use something like a port.

[@misterid1075]

I disagree on the cgm. Admittedly I’ve only been a diabetic for a year but I’ve found my Libre helps alleviate the paranoia I get about my blood glucose. I’ve noticed that when I’m off it, I get the intense urge to stick myself much more frequently because I’m worried I may miss a spike. I know it’s not super accurate. That’s fine. It tells me when I’m spiking and I need to do something about it.

[@philsonnenberg6092]

Medtronic has a great pump BUT thier CGM is just trash. Once Medtronic opens up thier pump to accept other CGMs I will go back to them.

[@richardanderson8971]

how about we stop making new tech and treatments and just hand out the cure already

[@ArthurGibson-cz2dy]

I don’t think there will be a cure for a long time. But these new technologies are helpful to the solution and cure to diabetes.

[@diabe_tech]

Im game for this.

[@RUBYKINGSLY]

30 minutes of exercise daily can prevent this shit

[@TheRunningLeopard]

You know there is type one diabetes right? That people are born with?

[@WoWUndad]

@@TheRunningLeopard yah generations of soda chuggers

[@huntressgaming8521]

wow. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system, don’t be so ignorant.

[@CalciumBrony-hv8de]

God speed