New cellular adapter

Anyone else with a Merlin get a present from Abbott? They are upgrading the cellular technology, took me about 2 minutes to read the instructions and install it. 


7 Comments

New Cell Adaptor From Abbott

by Marybird - 2022-02-02 09:53:00

Hi Tracey,

I got one of those from Abbott last August, I think it was. Interestingly enough, several months before that I had gotten a phone call from the monitoring company (Cardionet) that monitors remote cardiac device reports for my cardiologist informing me that one of these new adaptors would be coming to replace the one I had. He said it would take as long as 3 months to get it, sure enough, 3 months later, it came via FedEx, I think it was. 

Directions were simple, pretty much plug and play here. The new adaptor handles 3-4 G, I think, and works very well- I see they have gotten two remote monitor reports from my pacemaker/Merlin@Home monitor ( September and December), with the new cell adaptor since then. 

Good point: it will affect Vodafone 3G adaptors soon

by crustyg - 2022-02-02 11:15:55

My BostonSci Latitude came with hard-wired network and a VF cell dongle, which I'm pretty sure uses 3G for the data.  As VF will start turning off all of their 3G network in 2023, I expect/hope that someone will send *me* a new dongle before then....

Or perhaps I'll spend some time trying to find the right person to ask.

Merlin monitor adapter

by TAC - 2022-02-02 11:54:01

I received the adapter and installed it in my Merlin remote monitor right away. Very easy. I just removed the old one and pluged the new one in the same outet.

Monitor upgrade

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-02 14:30:29

3G cell service is going away in a couple of months so all of the equpment that uses it has to be upgraded/replaced.  Medtronic sent me a letter that I should ask (weird) for a USB stick to plug into the monitor. The stick has the 4G radio in it. I've been trying to get my cell phone working instead but Medtronics makes it impossible to get a human.

Car manufacturers are going through the same problem now.  Some are just telling their customers, "sucks to be you". Interesting customer support.

Monitor Upgrade

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-03 19:25:28

I thought I'd follow up.  Finally, yesterday, I left a callback number on the Medtronics phonehell system.  About two hours later a representative called back and we set up my cell phone to work with carelink. 

They're sending me a box with return postage to get that POS out of my house!  I had to look all over for the handset thingy. I knew I'd thrown it under something so the battery would run out so I didn't have to watch it flash anymore. The MyCareLink app is a lot better but still not designed by a bright bulb.  I accidenally sent a report just looking around the app.  Oh well.

Medtronic MyCareLink

by Good Dog - 2022-02-05 09:27:13

Medtronic sent me a postcard last month that instructed me to plug in my unit for an hour so they could update the firmware. I usually keep it unplgged and plug it in only when I need to send a report. They then sent me a USB cellular stick to plug-in a couple weeks later. The cellular stick remains in-place adinfinitum. The whole process was simple and went smoothly without a problem. 

MyCareLink

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-05 14:50:53

I got that postcard too.  I hate the box.  It was designed by a moron.  I didn't unplug it but I did throw the handset under the bed with a towel on top of it (it took me a while to find it). Thankfully. they've sent me a prepaid return box to so that I can get it out of my house.

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

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