Medtronic

Connecting your Medtronic insulin pump and CGM system with Nightscout Pro allows you to remotely view, share, and analyze your glucose data and insulin delivery information. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up your Medtronic device to upload data to your Nightscout Pro site.

Supported Medtronic Devices

Nightscout Pro supports the following Medtronic systems: – 600 Series pumps (630G, 640G, 670G) – Guardian Connect CGM system

Note: The newer 700 Series pumps (770G, 780G) currently do not have a direct method to upload data to Nightscout in real-time. However, you can use either xDrip+ (Android Phone) or Guardian Monitor (iOS Phone) to pull data from CareLink and then upload the data to Nightscout.

Connection Methods

The connection method varies depending on which Medtronic device you’re using:

600 Series Pumps

Requirements: – Android smartphone or tablet (Android 4.4 or higher) – OTG (On-The-Go) cable compatible with your Android device – Contour Next Link 2.4 glucose meter (the one that came with your pump) – 600 Series Uploader app

Platform Compatibility: – Android: ✅ Supported with 600 Series Uploader app – iOS: ❌ Not supported (no equivalent iOS app exists)

Setup with 600 Series Uploader (Android):

1. Install 600 Series Uploader:
   • Download the app from GitHub
   • Allow installation from unknown sources if prompted
2. Prepare your hardware:
   • Connect the Contour Next Link 2.4 meter to your Android device using an OTG cable
   • Ensure your meter is charged
3. Configure the app:
   • Open 600 Series UploaderGo through the initial setup wizardWhen prompted, enter your pump serial number
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to establish a connection with your pump
4. Connect to Nightscout Pro:
   • In the app, go to Settings > Nightscout SyncEnter your Nightscout URL: https://yoursite.nightscout.proEnter your API Secret
   • Enable “Upload to Nightscout”
5. Verify the connection:
   • The app will indicate when it’s successfully connected to your pumpCheck your Nightscout Pro site to confirm data is appearing
   • You should see both glucose readings and pump information (basal rates, insulin on board, etc.)

Guardian Connect CGM

For the Guardian Connect CGM system, you can use the CareLink Cloud to bridge data to Nightscout.

Note: This method is becoming increasingly difficult as Medtronic has made changes to their CareLink system. The mmconnect plugin that previously allowed this connection is now considered deprecated and may not work reliably, especially with newer devices.

Alternative Method for Guardian Connect:

Since direct CareLink integration is no longer reliable, consider using xDrip+ as an intermediary:

1. Install xDrip+:
   • Download the latest version of xDrip+ from GitHub
2. Configure xDrip+ for Guardian Connect:
   • Open xDrip+Go to Settings > Hardware Data SourceSelect “Medtronic Guardian Connect App”
   • Follow the on-screen instructions
3. Connect xDrip+ to Nightscout Pro:
   • In xDrip+, go to Settings > Cloud Upload > Nightscout SyncEnable “Nightscout Sync”Enter your Nightscout URL in the format: https://[email protected]/api/v1/Replace YOUR-API-SECRET with your actual API secret
   • Enable “Use mobile data” if you want uploads when not on WiFi

Troubleshooting Medtronic Connections

600 Series Uploader Issues

App not detecting the meter: – Ensure the OTG cable is properly connected – Check that your Android device supports OTG functionality – Try a different OTG cable – Make sure the meter is charged

Connection to pump fails: – Verify you’ve entered the correct pump serial number – Ensure the pump is within range of the meter (typically within 6 feet) – Check if the pump’s sensor is active and functioning – Restart both the app and the pump

Data not appearing in Nightscout: – Verify your Nightscout URL and API secret are entered correctly – Check your internet connection – Ensure the app has permission to run in the background – Disable battery optimization for the app

Guardian Connect Issues

xDrip+ not receiving data: – Make sure the Guardian Connect app is running – Check that you’ve granted necessary permissions to xDrip+ – Verify your Guardian Connect account credentials

Data stops uploading: – Medtronic occasionally changes their API, which can break connections – Check for updates to xDrip+ that might address these changes – Join the xDrip+ Facebook group for the latest workarounds

Best Practices

1. Keep devices close:
   • Maintain proximity between your pump, meter, and phone
   • Signal strength can affect data transmission reliability
2. Regular updates:
   • Keep the 600 Series Uploader app updated to the latest version
   • Updates often include fixes for connection issues
3. Battery management:
   • Ensure your meter is regularly charged
   • Keep your Android device charged, especially during extended monitoring periods
4. Data verification:
   • Periodically verify that the data in Nightscout matches what’s on your pump
   • Report any discrepancies to ensure accurate monitoring
5. Backup plan:
   • Have a backup method for checking your glucose levels
   • Don’t rely solely on Nightscout for critical diabetes management decisions

Additional Resources

• 600 Series Uploader GitHub Repository
• xDrip+ Documentation
• Nightscout Documentation
• Medtronic Diabetes Support