3 tips to extend battery life in your insulin pump.
If the message “Battery Low” is displayed on the insulin pump, it means that the battery level is less than 10%. In such a case, before going to bed, open the battery compartment with a coin, remove the lithium battery and replace it.
One day, I woke up in the middle of the night remembering that I had forgotten to measure my blood glucose levels before bed. I tried to turn on the backlight on the pump so I could see the meter screen in the dark , but it didn’t work. When I turned on the lamp, it turned out that before going to bed I inserted a completely empty battery into the pump. Based on this experience, as well as the experience of replacing batteries in an insulin pump for almost 10 years, I have accumulated a few tips:
After you insert the batteries into the pump, be sure to check that the pump is working…
- For the MINIMED® 640G insulin pump, use AA batteries (1.5V), preferably AA lithium batteries. For your MINIMED® VEO™ insulin pump, use an AAA alkaline battery (the Energizer battery lasts the longest ). Do not use carbon/zinc battery.
- When changing the battery, open the battery compartment with a buckle or a coin – do not use sharp objects (such as a knife).
- Battery life is shortened by, among other things, backlight on, vibration for alerts, and high basal rate.
- Always carry a spare battery with you (e.g. for a blood glucose meter ), but do not expose it to extreme temperatures. During the cold season, do not expose the battery to cold.
- Most notifications and alarms regarding the battery do not require complex actions. For more specific alerts, see the Medtronic website or your insulin pump manual for detailed troubleshooting instructions.