Guardian® REAL-Time
Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
MiniMed Guardian REAL-Time

The continuous display of the Guardian® REAL-Time gives you added insight and confidence 24 hours a day. Trend Graphs, Trend Arrows, and Glucose Readings help you understand the impacts food, exercise, and medication have on your glucose levels, so you can learn to better manage your diabetes.

Tutorials
tutorial

Introduction to the Guardian REAL-time System
Wether you're curious about the basics or an experienced user looking for tips,you'll find it all in this interactive module.

Note: This animation has been developed for a North American audience.
This text and voice over are in U.S English.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glucose sensors

What is a glucose sensor?
The glucose sensor is a tiny electrode that sits under the skin in your interstitial fluid (which is where cells get oxygen and nutrients, including glucose) and measures glucose levels. Glucose sensors are easily inserted using the Sen-serter® automatic insertion device. Like many types of infusion sets, a needle is used to introduce the glucose sensor but is then removed leaving just the tiny flexible electrode just under the skin. The glucose sensor is then connected either to a transmitter or recorder so the readings from the glucose sensor can either be transmitted to your insulin pump or monitor, or recorded for downloading to software once removed.
Does the glucose sensor infuse insulin?

The glucose sensor measures glucose levels in your body's interstitial fluid (fluid between the cells). It does not infuse insulin, nor does the measurement automatically cause the insulin pump to infuse a certain amount of insulin. Insulin is administered through the cannula or needle of an infusion set connected to the inmsulin pump.
Note - infusion sets should be inserted at least 5 cm away from the glucose sensor site.

Do I need to refrigerate my glucose sensors?

Our latest sensors do not need to be refrigerated if kept at temperatures ranging from 2˚ to 27˚ C (or 36˚ to 80˚ F). This temperature labeling applies to all manufactured glucose sensors over the last year. To identify these glucose sensors, look for a temperature graphic on the outside of the individual glucose sensor package, or on the side of the glucose sensor box. Glucose sensors are still being shipped in a protective foam container containing chilled gel packs designed to protect glucose sensors from temperature outside of the 2˚ to 27˚ C range during shipment.
Glucose sensors must not be frozen.
If you choose to keep your sensors in the refrigerator anyway, allow approximately 15 minutes for the sensor to warm up to room temperature before you use it.

How long do glucose sensors last? Do they expire?
Each glucose sensor can be worn for up to 6 days at a time.
Glucose sensors have a 6 month expiration date from the time they are manufactured. An expiration date will appear on the outside of the glucose sensor box and on each individual glucose sensor package.
Note - glucose sensors used for the iPro system should only be worn for up to 3 days at a time.
Where should I wear a glucose sensor?
Placement of the glucose sensor may be affected by clothing, comfort, individual preference or experience. In the case of people using insulin, users may want to avoid recent infusion sites. While many people choose the abdominal stomach area, an alternative location is on the upper buttocks. This location is less likely to be bumped or affected by clothing at the waistline.
My BG Meter reading and my sensor reading are not the same, why?
This is quite normal. BG Meters take glucose readings from Plasma and Sensors take readings from Interstitial Fluid and the physiological difference has what is called "lag time". This can be a difference of as much as 10-15mins from that of the blood sugar (finger prick readings)

Sensor readings may never actually quite reach the apexed highs or lows of your blood sugar due to the lag time between blood glucose and sensor glucose. i.e. the blood sugar may have reached a high and then quickly begin to fall and the sensor glucose will be following this in relation to the calibration factor applied to it and thus begin to fall with the blood sugar in order to track as closely as possible to blood sugar readings.


Transmitter

What is the transmitter?
The transmitter is a small device that connects to the glucose sensor. The transmitter is attached to the skin by an adhesive patch. Using radio frequency, the transmitter sends glucose data from the sensor to an insulin pump or monitor every 5 minutes.
What type of batteries does the transmitter use?
The transmitter has a self-contained battery, which can be recharged using the charger supplied, but cannot be changed.
What is the lifespan of the transmitter?
The transmitter has a life of approximately 9 months under anticipated continuous-use conditions. As it has a self-contained battery, it should be disposed of, or recycled, in accordance with local governing ordinances and recycling plans.
How will I know when the transmitter battery is getting low?
When the transmitter reaches a low battery condition, it will notify the insulin pump or monitor. It will display a "LOW TRANSMTR" notification. From the first "LOW TRANSMTR" notification of a low battery, you have about 5 days of continuous use before the battery is completely depleted. You will then receive a "BAD TRANSMTR" notice which means the transmitter battery has been used up.
What is the operating range between the transmitter and the insulin pump?
The transmitter and the insulin pump must be within 6 feet (approximately 2 meters) of each other for wireless transmission to occur.
What happens when the transmitter and insulin pump move out of range?
If the transmitter and insulin pump are too far apart (about 6 feet or 2 meters), an alert will sound and either a "WEAK SIGNAL" or "LOST SENSOR" message will appear on the screen.
The MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System allows the user to set the period of time the insulin pump will wait before alerting you of a failed reception of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from the transmitter to the insulin pump. The delay can be set for anywhere from 5 minutes to 40 minutes. The default setting is 30 minutes.
How much data does the transmitter store? If I move outside of the 2 meters transmission range - will I lose my data?
When the transmitter is separated from the insulin pump for more than 2 meters, the transmission is considered "out of range." The transmitter holds 40 minutes worth of memory, so even though your system is "out of range," continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data can be re-populated in the insulin pump or monitor.
If your system is out-of-range for longer than 40 minutes, when reviewing historical reports you would notice "data gap" where information is missing during this period of time.
Can I swim, shower or bathe with the transmitter?

The MiniLink transmitter is IXP-8 watertight, so you can swim, shower or bathe with it connected to the sensor. However we do not recommend immersing them in very hot water (like a jacuzzi).
You can easily stop transmission from the MiniLink if you want to swim and disconnect from your insulin pump.
As long as your MiniLink is within 6 feet (approximately 2 meters) of the insulin pump, your CGM data will still be displayed on the monitor's screen. If they are out-of-range for longer than 40 minutes, only the last 40 minutes will be re-populated and when reviewing historical reports, you would notice a "data gap" where information is missing during this period of time.

Is the radio frequency from my MiniLink transmitter harmful to me in any way?

The MiniLink transmitter uses about 1,000 times less radio frequency (RF) power than a mobile phone uses. If you think about it, when you’re talking on your mobile phone, you’re receiving a constant stream of RF transmission. In contrast, our transmitter sends very small transmission “bursts.” So, you don’t need to worry about the RF from our transmitter harming you.