From bpollpeter at hotmail.com  Thu Aug  4 21:09:07 2011
From: bpollpeter at hotmail.com (Bridgit Pollpeter)
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 16:09:07 -0500
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Please read my blog
Message-ID: <SNT136-W4252336B92C91B1B2D205BC43D0@phx.gbl>


Hello,
 
It is blog Thursday once again!  Please read my newest blog at:
 
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/2011/08/04/with-cane-im-able/
 
This week, I blog about how to use the long white cane.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com

LiveWellNebraska.com 		 	   		  

From bpollpeter at hotmail.com  Thu Aug 18 10:45:55 2011
From: bpollpeter at hotmail.com (Bridgit Pollpeter)
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:45:55 -0500
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Read my new Live Well blog
Message-ID: <SNT136-W410E334684EA8B5B414F42C42B0@phx.gbl>


Hello,
 
Please read my new blog at:
 
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/2011/08/18/living-through-an-insulin-reaction/
 
This week, I blog about an insulin reaction I experienced when I was younger.
 
Thanks for the support.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com

LiveWellNebraska.com 		 	   		  

From julie.kline at rochester.rr.com  Sun Aug 21 03:26:43 2011
From: julie.kline at rochester.rr.com (Julie Kline)
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:26:43 -0400
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
Message-ID: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>

Good evening all,

A few times during the National News, I have heard ads for a new meter that
is supposed to not only talk, but you don't have to prick your finger to use
it.  I didn't catch the correct spelling of the group, but I think it's
Arriba or Arriva Medical Group.  I don't know if they work with other
insurances besides Medicare or not since their working with Medicare was one
of their big selling points.  Not having to prick your fingers would be a
major selling point for me, enough that I don't care about whether the
memory portion of this talks because when I used to test I wrote down my own
readings anyway.

Has anyone heard about this meter?  I'm just wondering how accessible it
would be, like if your time and date settings on it talk too or just the
readings.

Thanks.
Julie




From k7uij at panix.com  Sun Aug 21 03:39:35 2011
From: k7uij at panix.com (Mike Freeman)
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:39:35 -0700
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
In-Reply-To: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
References: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
Message-ID: <00b401cc5fb3$f2f24490$d8d6cdb0$@panix.com>

Julie:

If it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is. There isn't a bg
meter on the market today that doesn't require fingersticks. And none of the
research supposedly looking toward a noninvasive bg meter has panne out
today. Think about it: such a system would have to go through *extensive*
FDA approval and insofar as I am aware, no noninvasive meter technology has
a 510(k) application before the FDA.

Again, there are only two more-or-less completely accessible meters
available in *this* country: the prodigy Voice and the Solo V2.

Don't fall for the advertising hype!

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Kline
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Good evening all,

A few times during the National News, I have heard ads for a new meter that
is supposed to not only talk, but you don't have to prick your finger to use
it.  I didn't catch the correct spelling of the group, but I think it's
Arriba or Arriva Medical Group.  I don't know if they work with other
insurances besides Medicare or not since their working with Medicare was one
of their big selling points.  Not having to prick your fingers would be a
major selling point for me, enough that I don't care about whether the
memory portion of this talks because when I used to test I wrote down my own
readings anyway.

Has anyone heard about this meter?  I'm just wondering how accessible it
would be, like if your time and date settings on it talk too or just the
readings.

Thanks.
Julie


_______________________________________________
Diabetes-talk mailing list
Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
.com




From n8lx at earthlink.net  Sun Aug 21 03:53:48 2011
From: n8lx at earthlink.net (Shirley Roberts)
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:53:48 -0400
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
Message-ID: <E1Quz4L-00042S-Mi@elasmtp-junco.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Most of the time when they advertise these meters that talk about not having to prick your finger, they're basically talking about being able to do alternite site testing but they get people's attention by saying "you don't have to prick your finger".

Shirley Roberts
n8lx at earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 11:39 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Julie:

If it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is. There isn't a bg
meter on the market today that doesn't require fingersticks. And none of the
research supposedly looking toward a noninvasive bg meter has panne out
today. Think about it: such a system would have to go through *extensive*
FDA approval and insofar as I am aware, no noninvasive meter technology has
a 510(k) application before the FDA.

Again, there are only two more-or-less completely accessible meters
available in *this* country: the prodigy Voice and the Solo V2.

Don't fall for the advertising hype!

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Kline
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Good evening all,

A few times during the National News, I have heard ads for a new meter that
is supposed to not only talk, but you don't have to prick your finger to use
it.  I didn't catch the correct spelling of the group, but I think it's
Arriba or Arriva Medical Group.  I don't know if they work with other
insurances besides Medicare or not since their working with Medicare was one
of their big selling points.  Not having to prick your fingers would be a
major selling point for me, enough that I don't care about whether the
memory portion of this talks because when I used to test I wrote down my own
readings anyway.

Has anyone heard about this meter?  I'm just wondering how accessible it
would be, like if your time and date settings on it talk too or just the
readings.

Thanks.
Julie


_______________________________________________
Diabetes-talk mailing list
Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
.com


_______________________________________________
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Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-talk:
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From k7uij at panix.com  Sun Aug 21 04:07:45 2011
From: k7uij at panix.com (Mike Freeman)
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:07:45 -0700
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
In-Reply-To: <E1Quz4L-00042S-Mi@elasmtp-junco.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
References: <E1Quz4L-00042S-Mi@elasmtp-junco.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <00bc01cc5fb7$e26d75a0$a74860e0$@panix.com>

That makes sense. And, in fact, alternate site testing doesn't work beans
for the blind for the very reason that many folks are attracted to it --
lack of feeling the prick. If you think about it, if you're blind and can't
feel the prick, how the kec are you going to know where the drop of blood
is? (grin)

Thanks for pointing that one out, Shirley.

Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shirley Roberts
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:54 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Most of the time when they advertise these meters that talk about not having
to prick your finger, they're basically talking about being able to do
alternite site testing but they get people's attention by saying "you don't
have to prick your finger".

Shirley Roberts
n8lx at earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 11:39 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Julie:

If it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is. There isn't a bg
meter on the market today that doesn't require fingersticks. And none of the
research supposedly looking toward a noninvasive bg meter has panne out
today. Think about it: such a system would have to go through *extensive*
FDA approval and insofar as I am aware, no noninvasive meter technology has
a 510(k) application before the FDA.

Again, there are only two more-or-less completely accessible meters
available in *this* country: the prodigy Voice and the Solo V2.

Don't fall for the advertising hype!

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Kline
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter

Good evening all,

A few times during the National News, I have heard ads for a new meter that
is supposed to not only talk, but you don't have to prick your finger to use
it.  I didn't catch the correct spelling of the group, but I think it's
Arriba or Arriva Medical Group.  I don't know if they work with other
insurances besides Medicare or not since their working with Medicare was one
of their big selling points.  Not having to prick your fingers would be a
major selling point for me, enough that I don't care about whether the
memory portion of this talks because when I used to test I wrote down my own
readings anyway.

Has anyone heard about this meter?  I'm just wondering how accessible it
would be, like if your time and date settings on it talk too or just the
readings.

Thanks.
Julie


_______________________________________________
Diabetes-talk mailing list
Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
.com


_______________________________________________
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Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/n8lx%40earthl
ink.net


_______________________________________________
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Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Diabetes-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
.com




From cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com  Sun Aug 21 10:31:21 2011
From: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com (cheryl echevarria)
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:31:21 -0400
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
In-Reply-To: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
	<00b401cc5fb3$f2f24490$d8d6cdb0$@panix.com>
References: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
	<00b401cc5fb3$f2f24490$d8d6cdb0$@panix.com>
Message-ID: <BLU162-ds1040C7193CCDAFC7A281C9A12C0@phx.gbl>

excuse me, but all meters have alternate site testing, and yes I have heard 
these meters on tv.

You can test on your palm of the hand, but I find it hurts more, also other 
areas, ask your diabetic educator in your area or

Alternate site testing offers fingertip protection and less pain. Alternate 
site testing areas can be the upper arm, thigh, calf and the fleshy parts of 
the hand.


Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in 
Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, Inc.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 11:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter


> Julie:
>
> If it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is. There isn't a bg
> meter on the market today that doesn't require fingersticks. And none of 
> the
> research supposedly looking toward a noninvasive bg meter has panne out
> today. Think about it: such a system would have to go through *extensive*
> FDA approval and insofar as I am aware, no noninvasive meter technology 
> has
> a 510(k) application before the FDA.
>
> Again, there are only two more-or-less completely accessible meters
> available in *this* country: the prodigy Voice and the Solo V2.
>
> Don't fall for the advertising hype!
>
> Mike Freeman
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Kline
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:27 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking meter
>
> Good evening all,
>
> A few times during the National News, I have heard ads for a new meter 
> that
> is supposed to not only talk, but you don't have to prick your finger to 
> use
> it.  I didn't catch the correct spelling of the group, but I think it's
> Arriba or Arriva Medical Group.  I don't know if they work with other
> insurances besides Medicare or not since their working with Medicare was 
> one
> of their big selling points.  Not having to prick your fingers would be a
> major selling point for me, enough that I don't care about whether the
> memory portion of this talks because when I used to test I wrote down my 
> own
> readings anyway.
>
> Has anyone heard about this meter?  I'm just wondering how accessible it
> would be, like if your time and date settings on it talk too or just the
> readings.
>
> Thanks.
> Julie
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
> .com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com
> 



From veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com  Mon Aug 22 00:11:17 2011
From: veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com (Veronica Elsea)
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:11:17 -0700
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking  meter
In-Reply-To: <BLU162-ds1040C7193CCDAFC7A281C9A12C0@phx.gbl>
References: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
	<00b401cc5fb3$f2f24490$d8d6cdb0$@panix.com>
	<BLU162-ds1040C7193CCDAFC7A281C9A12C0@phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <mailman.70.1593446902.14981.diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org@nfbnet.org>

I too have seen these ads. The other problem with alternate site 
testing is how it works with each meter. For many of them, you use a 
special clear cap. You put the lancing device up against the area 
where you want to get the blood and it forms a bit of a vacuum. Then 
when you prick, you're supposed to watch till the cap fills with 
blood. That takes us out right there, not knowing when to pull the 
lancing device away.
I hate deceptive advertizing!

Veronica
We Woof You A Merry Christmas! Diabetes Melodious! And more!
Music CDs that will impact and entertain you forever!
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
		Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
877-607-6407




From k7uij at panix.com  Mon Aug 22 00:35:31 2011
From: k7uij at panix.com (Mike Freeman)
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:35:31 -0700
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Question about a new advertised talking  meter
In-Reply-To: <20110822001138.0CE3938E41@mail2.panix.com>
References: <63.A5.25758.40B705E4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>
	<00b401cc5fb3$f2f24490$d8d6cdb0$@panix.com>
	<BLU162-ds1040C7193CCDAFC7A281C9A12C0@phx.gbl>
	<20110822001138.0CE3938E41@mail2.panix.com>
Message-ID: <8ABEE9B1-E3DA-4611-BEEB-AE3575D8100A@panix.com>

Wow! Thanks, Veronica. Never knew how that worked. 

Mike Freeman
sent from my iPhone


On Aug 21, 2011, at 17:11, Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com> wrote:

> I too have seen these ads. The other problem with alternate site testing is how it works with each meter. For many of them, you use a special clear cap. You put the lancing device up against the area where you want to get the blood and it forms a bit of a vacuum. Then when you prick, you're supposed to watch till the cap fills with blood. That takes us out right there, not knowing when to pull the lancing device away.
> I hate deceptive advertizing!
> 
> Veronica
> We Woof You A Merry Christmas! Diabetes Melodious! And more!
> Music CDs that will impact and entertain you forever!
> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>        Veronica Elsea, Owner
> Laurel Creek Music Designs
> Santa Cruz, California
> 877-607-6407
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com



From cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com  Thu Aug 25 17:04:46 2011
From: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com (cheryl echevarria)
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:04:46 -0400
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Are you Hurricane Ready some advice from a travel
	agent, guide dog user and diabetic
Message-ID: <BLU162-ds5DCC3E3F66C234A843803A1100@phx.gbl>

Hello everyone:

I realize this might be to late for some, but Hurricane season is not over 
until the beginning of November, or when the oceans cool off, since we have 
had very hot days, it is going to take longer for the oceans to get back to 
normal.

Anyway, some safety tips for everyone.

First: Make sure you have an evacuation plan or other location to go just in 
case you need to evacuate, have 911 ready or you local call center for 
Hurricane Evacuations, should you not have anyone to help you get out, they 
will come for you. Do not be a hero and stay with the house, a house can be 
replaced your life and those of your loved ones including animals are not 
replaced able.

Let friends, neighbors, family know were you are going to be so that they 
don't worry.

Second: Make sure that during the storms shut down all electrical equipment, 
if you have a computer shut it off.  If you have a cell phone have it ready, 
these are times when old fashioned landlines are the best, because if the 
cable goes and the cell phone towers go, at least you can call on your phone 
if you can.

Third: Make sure you have all medications in water proof zip lock bags or 
containers.  Make sure you dogs/cats food are also in waterproof containers. 
Make sure this is part of your evacuation baggage should you need to take it 
at a moments notice.

If you are in an area where you may not be evacuated, make sure you have 
enough medications, food, candles, batteries generators, make sure all smoke 
detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working, once the hurricane or 
nasty weather comes in you need to be prepared.

Your baggage should also have change of clothes for one or 2 days just in 
case, phone book.
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in 
Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, Inc. 




From everett at everettgavel.com  Fri Aug 26 13:44:22 2011
From: everett at everettgavel.com (Everett Gavel)
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:44:22 -0400
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Insulin Pumps Able to Be Hacked
Message-ID: <001001cc63f6$461c0d90$d25428b0$@com>

FYI,
Everett


Insulin pump maker identified after hacking talk
After devising way to hack insulin pumps, researcher
says he's stymied by device maker 
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Insulin-pump-maker-identi
fied-apf-4070222421.html?x=0

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- When Jay Radcliffe revealed three
weeks ago that he'd found serious security holes in a
popular type of insulin pump that diabetics wear, he
kept two important details secret: the pump maker's
name, and the specific technique he used to hack the
device.

The problems he found carry exceptional risks, such as
being able to program a special remote control to
command strangers' pumps to dispense the wrong dosage
of insulin. But Radcliffe said he was ignored in
repeated attempts to alert the company to the defects.
On Thursday he identified the company -- Medtronic Inc.
-- in an effort to apply public pressure to fix the
vulnerabilities.

The disclosure raises the risk of attacks on certain
Medtronic insulin pumps. But Radcliffe said he hopes
that exposure helps fix the problems. He said he tried
to handle the disclosure ethically -- by working with
the company first -- and felt "there should have been
an ethical response (from the company) to that."

Radcliffe, a diabetic who experimented on his own
Medtronic pump, revealed the details to The Associated
Press ahead of a planned news conference.

Medtronic would not directly address its interactions
with Radcliffe. Spokeswoman Amanda Sheldon said a
Medtronic employee attended Radcliffe's presentation at
the Black Hat computer security conference this month
in Las Vegas and said the company was analyzing his
public statements.

"We have to evaluate the sources of the information and
figure out what we should do with it," she said.

Radcliffe said his public statements intentionally
lacked the specific technical details that Medtronic
would need to address the vulnerabilities he's found.
After the Department of Homeland Security, which
examined his research, helped make the introduction to
Medtronic, his calls and e-mails went unanswered, he
said, a claim Medtronic wouldn't specifically address.

Radcliffe, who lives in Meridian, Idaho, said the
experience has caused him to switch to another company
that appears to use stronger security.

However, he said Medtronic customers should continue to
use their pumps, as the techniques he developed are
hard to execute in the real world -- for now. Hacking
attacks tend to get easier as more people do them,
because hackers can write programs to automate the most
cumbersome tasks.

The tension is more than an inside-baseball ethical
dilemma about how security professionals should deal
with companies they believe have been uncooperative and
aren't fixing known vulnerabilities.

Medtronic, which is based in Minneapolis, is one of the
world's biggest medical device makers. A Medtronic
device that works as a pacemaker and defibrillator was
also found in a different study in 2008 to be
vulnerable to hacking attacks.

Radcliffe's findings and the earlier study are examples
of hacking attack of the future, in which the
sophisticated software and communications chips being
added to everyday technologies will make them
vulnerable to frightening new attacks.

Medical devices are particularly vulnerable because
there are clear advantages in allowing them to talk to
each other wirelessly and connect to the Internet. That
connection allows devices to receive important software
updates, and it lets patients upload their medical
information to special websites to track the status of
their conditions. But medical device makers aren't used
to hackers picking apart their products, and there's no
clear path for disclosing weaknesses.

In light of Radcliffe's findings, two lawmakers, Reps.
Anna Eshoo of California and Edward Markey of
Massachusetts, both Democrats, have asked the
Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm
of Congress, to evaluate the government's efforts to
identify the risks of implants and other medical
devices that use wireless communication.

Radcliffe said he also took issue with a statement that
Medtronic issued after his presentation. The company
had asserted that turning off the device's wireless
function would protect users from attack. Radcliffe
said that statement is inaccurate because the
particular wireless ability he exploited can't be
turned off, which means a deeper fix would be needed.

Sheldon, the Medtronic spokeswoman, would not address
Radcliffe's claims specifically, saying that "we're not
going to bit-by-bit outline our security measures." She
added that the "risk of deliberate, malicious or
unauthorized manipulation of our insulin pumps is
extremely low" and that the company is not aware of any
attacks on its devices outside of research
environments.

Sheldon said the company is open to talking to
Radcliffe. Radcliffe received an email from Medtronic's
public relations department after a reporter inquired
about the issue.

Late Thursday, Medtronic said it doesn't plan to fix
the weaknesses in current products, but is adding
encryption and other security measures to the next
generation of products to deter hackers. Those products
could take several years to hit the market, though, in
part because of a lengthy government approval process.

Radcliffe said the response was inadequate, because the
devices could be fixed sooner with a "patch," and
current Medtronic pumps are left with outdated software
code that can be exploited.






