Medtronic Launches New Guardian Real-Time System with Miniature Transmitter and Carelink Personal Software

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced the launch of the Guardian® REAL-Time System, a doctor-prescribed, personal, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for improved diabetes management. The new CGM system is intended to help protect diabetes patients from high and low glucose levels, and maintain tighter glucose control. Improved glucose control has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of certain long-term complications, including blindness, kidney failure, amputation, impotence, and heart disease.

The Guardian REAL-Time System will include the MiniLink™ REAL-Time Transmitter – a rechargeable, waterproof transmitter approximately one-third the size of previous Medtronic transmitters. The Guardian REAL-Time System also will incorporate the Medtronic CareLink™ Personal Therapy Management Software, which integrates data from the patient’s Guardian REAL-Time System, logbook and blood glucose meter to identify patterns and trends in glucose management.

“The launch of the Guardian REAL-Time System is the result of years of research aimed at improving diabetes management and control,” said Chris O’Connell, president of the Diabetes business at Medtronic. “This launch exemplifies Medtronic’s unwavering position as the industry leader in advanced diabetes technology.”

Unique features only available with the Guardian REAL-Time System include predictive and rate-of-change alarms and expanded trend graphs. In addition to standard high and low glucose alerts, new early warning alerts – predictive and rate of change – warn patients before their glucose reaches preset thresholds. Comprehensive trend graphs show the effect of diet, exercise, medication, and lifestyle on glucose values in three-, six-, 12-, and 24-hour increments.

Launching with the new CGM system is the MiniLink REAL-Time Transmitter. Its small, lightweight design provides a significant improvement in patient comfort. Easily hidden under clothing, the transmitter simply snaps into the glucose sensor after the sensor is inserted under the skin. The MiniLink REAL-Time Transmitter sends glucose readings every five minutes to a monitor, which displays up to 288 REAL-Time readings a day – nearly 100 times more information than conventional glucose monitoring.* This additional information provides better protection against frequent glycemic highs and lows, and helps patients better manage their diabetes.

The MiniLink REAL-Time Transmitter is fully immersible in water when connected to a glucose sensor, and can be worn at a depth of 8 feet (2.4 meters) for up to 30 minutes. For the first time the transmitter also includes a convenient charger powered by a single AAA (alkaline) battery. The charger is very small, and completely portable for outdoor activity where electricity is inaccessible. The new MiniLink REAL-Time Transmitter will also be available with the MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time System – the world’s only available insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system.

Data gathered from the Guardian REAL-Time System can now be viewed using the CareLink Personal Therapy Management Software. The only software that integrates meter, logbook and CGM data, CareLink Personal Software helps patients learn how insulin, carbohydrates and exercise affect their diabetes. Detailed treatment reports feature easy to use charts and graphs, and reveal patterns and problems often overlooked by traditional meter software or paper logbooks. These reports can then be shared with a physician and incorporated into electronic medical records where available. CareLink Personal is also available for the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System and the MiniMed Paradigm 515/715 and 522/722 insulin pumps.

Diabetes Statistics
According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 21 million Americans (seven percent of the population) have the disease. Diabetes affects children and adults, costing the United States more than $132 billion in direct and indirect costs.

About The Diabetes Business at Medtronic
The Diabetes business at Medtronic (www.medtronic-diabetes.com ) is the world leader in diabetes management. The company’s products include insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems, related disposable products and diabetes management software.

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.

*A confirmatory finger stick test is required