Medtronic, a medical device company, is recalling insulin pumps because of a risk that hackers could take control and change their settings.
The company decided that several models of its MiniMed insulin pumps are at a cybersecurity risk, reports CBS News.
The pumps work by using a wireless radio frequency to communicate with other devices used by diabetics.
If hackers changed the settings from a remote location, serious health complications could arise because insulin pumps regulate dose and frequency.
The FDA announced that diabetes patients who use Medtronic’s product should talk to their doctors about switching models. They should also seek medical attention if they feel symptoms of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Users should also be mindful of the pump’s notifications, alarms and alerts and not share their pump’s serial number. They should also keep the pump and devices connected to the pump “within your control at all times,” Medtronic said.
The security scare is not the first issue Medtronic has had with its pumps. A similar issue with the pumps was discovered in 2011 by researchers.
Medtronic said it has received “no confirmed reports of unauthorized persons changing settings or controlling insulin delivery.”
Below are the models being recalled, with the software version in parenthesis:
- MiniMed 508 (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 511 (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 512/712 (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 515/715 (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 522/722 (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 522K/722K (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm 523/723 (Version 2.4A or lower)
- MiniMed Paradigm 523K/723K (Version 2.4A or lower)
- MiniMed Paradigm 712E* (All versions)
- MiniMed Paradigm Veo 554CM/754CM* (Version 2.7A or lower)
- MiniMed Paradigm Veo 554/754* (Version 2.6A or lower)
