Medtronic is recalling some models of insulin pumps in a rare example of a medical device recall over a cybersecurity issue.
The insulin pumps subject to the recall connect wirelessly to other insulin equipment, including glucose meters, a monitoring system and controls that pump insulin.
"The FDA is concerned that, due to cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the device, someone other than a patient, caregiver or health care provider could potentially connect wirelessly to a nearby MiniMed insulin pump and change the pump's settings. This could allow a person to over deliver insulin to a patient, leading to low blood sugar ... or to stop insulin delivery, leading to high blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis," the FDA notice says.
The MiniMed 508 pumps can't be updated to address security flaws in the device's firmware, according to the notice. The company is offering alternatives with "enhanced built-in security capabilities.", Medtronic urged customers to speak with their healthcare providers about whether to change the pump.
Medtronic has identified around 4,000 patients using the insulin pumps today, and is "working with distributor partners to identify additional patients potentially using the pumps."
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