NoelD
03-22-2007, 05:40 AM
Well, I've been wearing the Minilink since yesterday afternoon when it was delivered. I upgraded from the RT system on the Paradigm platform. While I do not have any major gripes on the RT unit, there are a few bones to pick.
1.) The older RT CGMS system (NOT the Guardian RT), was bulky. When attached, I could "feel" the weight of it hanging there on me slightly. When I bend over to pick up something, I can really tell it's there. While wearing a t-shirt, you can see it's outline easily.
* Minilink - It's WAY smaller, and WAY lighter. It really is about the size of about 3 quarters stacked together, but it weighs equal to or less than those 3 quarters. I cannot tell it is there, sitting, standing, or bending over. Wearing a t-shirt or anything else so far, you cannot see anything.
2.) The cable on the RT CGMS system was a bit irritating at times especially when changing clothes. Shirts would get hung under the cable sometimes. The Tegaderm or IV3000 (used to fasten down the sensor and part of the cable) left a sticky MESS on the cable that was even more so irritating.
*Minilink - No cable what-so-ever. It's so small, nothing could catch on it. It's smooth so nothing should be able to get caught on it. One 2.5"x2.75" IV3000 or Tegaderm will cover the WHOLE transmitter and sensor to secure it.
3.) The transmitter adhesive pad used to secure the RT CGMS transmitter irritated the HECK out of my skin. And when it stuck down, it REALLY stuck down. It was painful to remove at times, and left a NASTY patch of skin underneath that looked seriously irritated a few times. Not to mention holding sweat underneath it on top of the skin.
*Minilink - NO transmitter adhesive patch. It just slides on and click-attaches to the sensor. It it slightly secure. Something *COULD* catch on it though and rip the whole thing out though. I use a 2.5"x2.75" tegaderm (IV3000 works too, but I prefer Tegaderm because it seems less affected by showering) to cover the whole setup and it's really secure then.
I have not been through a recharge of the transmitter yet, as it came fully charged and with 2 batteries (one extra and one in the charger).I will probably recharge it with every other sensor change. I use one sensor a week, and I'd rather run it down completely and recharge then to prolong it's life as long as possible. Accuracy and the 6ft range still seems the same as the older unit.
1.) The older RT CGMS system (NOT the Guardian RT), was bulky. When attached, I could "feel" the weight of it hanging there on me slightly. When I bend over to pick up something, I can really tell it's there. While wearing a t-shirt, you can see it's outline easily.
* Minilink - It's WAY smaller, and WAY lighter. It really is about the size of about 3 quarters stacked together, but it weighs equal to or less than those 3 quarters. I cannot tell it is there, sitting, standing, or bending over. Wearing a t-shirt or anything else so far, you cannot see anything.
2.) The cable on the RT CGMS system was a bit irritating at times especially when changing clothes. Shirts would get hung under the cable sometimes. The Tegaderm or IV3000 (used to fasten down the sensor and part of the cable) left a sticky MESS on the cable that was even more so irritating.
*Minilink - No cable what-so-ever. It's so small, nothing could catch on it. It's smooth so nothing should be able to get caught on it. One 2.5"x2.75" IV3000 or Tegaderm will cover the WHOLE transmitter and sensor to secure it.
3.) The transmitter adhesive pad used to secure the RT CGMS transmitter irritated the HECK out of my skin. And when it stuck down, it REALLY stuck down. It was painful to remove at times, and left a NASTY patch of skin underneath that looked seriously irritated a few times. Not to mention holding sweat underneath it on top of the skin.
*Minilink - NO transmitter adhesive patch. It just slides on and click-attaches to the sensor. It it slightly secure. Something *COULD* catch on it though and rip the whole thing out though. I use a 2.5"x2.75" tegaderm (IV3000 works too, but I prefer Tegaderm because it seems less affected by showering) to cover the whole setup and it's really secure then.
I have not been through a recharge of the transmitter yet, as it came fully charged and with 2 batteries (one extra and one in the charger).I will probably recharge it with every other sensor change. I use one sensor a week, and I'd rather run it down completely and recharge then to prolong it's life as long as possible. Accuracy and the 6ft range still seems the same as the older unit.