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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                              [MERRILL LYNCH LOGO]

                        WCMA (R) NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT

WCMA NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT ("Loan Agreement") dated as of January 6, 1997,
between MINIMED INC. , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware having its principal office at 12744 San Fernando Road,
Sylmar, CA 91342 ("Customer"), and MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES
INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware having its principal office at 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603
("MLBFS").

In accordance with that certain WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (R) ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
NO. 21C-07H08 ("WCMA Agreement") between Customer and MLBFS affiliate, MERRILL
LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED ("MLPF&S"), Customer has subscribed
to the WCMA Program described in the WCMA Agreement. The WCMA Agreement is by
this reference incorporated as a part hereof. In conjunction therewith and as
part of the WCMA Program, Customer has requested that MLBFS provide, and subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth MLBFS has agreed to provide, a
commercial line of credit for Customer (the "WCMA Line of Credit").

Accordingly, and in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants of
the parties hereto, Customer and MLBFS hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

(a) Specific Terms. In addition to terms defined elsewhere in this Loan
Agreement, when used herein the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

(i) "Activation Date" shall mean the date upon which MLBFS shall cause the WCMA
Line of Credit to be fully activated under MLPF&S' computer system as part of
the WCMA Program.

(ii) "Additional Agreements" shall mean all agreements, instruments, documents
and opinions other than this Loan Agreement, whether with or from Customer or
any other party, which are contemplated hereby or otherwise reasonably required
by MLBFS in connection herewith, or which evidence the creation, guaranty or
collateralization of any of the Obligations or the granting or perfection of
liens or security interests upon any collateral for the Obligations.

(iii) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal
holiday or other day on which the New York Stock Exchange is regularly closed.

(iv) "Commitment Expiration Date" shall mean January 31, 1997.

(v) "General Funding Conditions" shall mean each of the following conditions to
any WCMA Loan by MLBFS hereunder: (A) no Event of Default, or event which with
the giving of notice, passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making
of any WCMA Loan hereunder by MLBFS; (B) there shall not have occurred and be
continuing any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of
Customer; (C) all representations and warranties of Customer herein or in any
Additional Agreements shall then be true and correct in all material respects;
(D) MLBFS shall have received this Loan Agreement and all of the Additional
Agreements, duly executed and filed or recorded where applicable, all of which
shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to MLBFS; and (E) any
additional conditions specified in the "WCMA Line of Credit Approval" letter
executed by MLBFS with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been met to the reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS.



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(vi) "Interest Rate" shall mean a variable per annum rate of interest equal to
the sum of 2.15% and the 30-Day Commercial Paper Rate. The "30-Day Commercial
Paper Rate" shall mean, as of the date of any determination, the interest rate
from time to time published in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street
Journal for 30-day high-grade unsecured notes sold through dealers by major
corporations. The Interest Rate will change as of the date of publication in The
Wall Street Journal of a 30-Day Commercial Paper Rate that is different from
that published on the preceding Business Day. In the event that The Wall Street
Journal shall, for any reason, fail or cease to publish the 30-Day Commercial
Paper Rate, MLBFS will choose a reasonably comparable index or source to use as
the basis for the Interest Rate.

(vii) "Line Fee" shall mean a fee of $25,000.00 ($12,500/year) payable to MLBFS
in connection with the WCMA Line of Credit for the period from the Activation
Date to the Maturity Date.

(viii) "Maturity Date" shall mean January 31, 1999, or such later date as may be
consented to in writing by MLBFS.

(ix) "Maximum WCMA Line of Credit" shall mean $10,000,000.00.

(x) "Obligations" shall mean all present and future liabilities, indebtedness
and obligations of Customer under this Loan Agreement, including, without
limitation, interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy.

(xi) "WCMA Account" shall mean and refer to the Working Capital Management
Account of Customer with MLPF&S identified as Account No. 21C-07H08.

(xii) "WCMA Loan" shall mean each advance made by MLBFS pursuant to this Loan
Agreement.

(b) Other Terms. Except as otherwise defined herein: (i) all terms used in this
Loan Agreement which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of Illinois
("UCC") shall have the meanings set forth in the UCC, and (ii) capitalized terms
used herein which are defined in the WCMA Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in the WCMA Agreement.

2. WCMA PROMISSORY NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Customer hereby promises to pay to the order of MLBFS, at
the times and in the manner set forth in this Loan Agreement, or in such other
manner and at such place as MLBFS may hereafter designate in writing, the
following: (a) on the Maturity Date, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
all WCMA Loans (the "WCMA Loan Balance"); (b) interest at the Interest Rate on
the outstanding WCMA Loan Balance, from and including the date on which the
initial WCMA Loan is made until the date of payment of all WCMA Loans in full;
and (c) on demand, all other sums payable pursuant to this Loan Agreement,
including, but not limited to, the Line Fee and any late charges. Except as
otherwise expressly set forth herein, Customer hereby waives presentment, demand
for payment, protest and notice of protest, notice of dishonor, notice of
acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate and all other notices and
formalities in connection with this WCMA Promissory Note and this Loan
Agreement.

3. WCMA LOANS

(a) Activation Date. Provided that: (i) the Commitment Expiration Date shall not
then have occurred, and (ii) Customer shall have subscribed to the WCMA Program
and its subscription to the WCMA Program shall then be in effect, the Activation
Date shall occur on or promptly after the date, following the acceptance of this
Loan Agreement by MLBFS at its office in Chicago, Illinois, upon which each of
the General Funding Conditions shall have been met or satisfied to the
reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS. No activation by MLBFS of the WCMA Line of
Credit for a nominal amount shall be deemed evidence of the satisfaction of any
of the conditions herein set forth, or a waiver of any of the terms or
conditions hereof.

(b) WCMA Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, during the period
from and after the Activation Date to the Maturity Date: (i) MLBFS will make
WCMA Loans to Customer in such amounts as

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Customer may from time to time request in accordance with the terms hereof, up
to an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the Maximum WCMA Line of
Credit, and (ii) Customer may repay any WCMA Loans in whole or in part at any
time without premium or penalty, and request a re-borrowing of amounts repaid on
a revolving basis. Customer may request WCMA Loans by use of WCMA Checks, FTS,
Visa (R) charges, wire transfers, or such other means of access to the WCMA Line
of Credit as may be permitted by MLBFS from time to time; it being understood
that so long as the WCMA Line of Credit shall be in effect, any charge or debit
to the WCMA Account which but for the WCMA Line of Credit would under the terms
of the WCMA Agreement result in an overdraft, shall be deemed a request by
Customer for a WCMA Loan.

(c) Conditions of WCMA Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MLBFS shall not be
obligated to make any WCMA Loan, and may without notice refuse to honor any such
request by Customer, if at the time of receipt by MLBFS of Customer's request:
(i) the making of such WCMA Loan would cause the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit to
be exceeded: or (ii) the Maturity Date shall have occurred, or the WCMA Line of
Credit shall have otherwise been terminated in accordance with the terms hereof;
or (iii) Customers subscription to the WCMA Program shall have been terminated;
or (iv) an event shall have occurred and is continuing which shall have caused
any of the General Funding Conditions to not then be met or satisfied to the
reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS. The making by MLBFS of any WCMA Loan at a time
when any one or more of said conditions shall not have been met shall not in any
event be construed as a waiver of said condition or conditions or of any Event
of Default, and shall not prevent MLBFS at any time thereafter while any
condition shall not have been met from refusing to honor any request by Customer
for a WCMA Loan.

(d) Force Majeure. MLBFS shall not be responsible, and shall have no liability
to Customer or any other party, for any delay or failure of MLBFS to honor any
request of Customer for a WCMA Loan or any other act or omission of MLBFS,
MLPF&S or any of their affiliates due to or resulting from any system failure,
error or delay in posting or other clerical error, loss of power, fire, Act of
God or other cause beyond the reasonable control of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of
their affiliates unless directly arising out of the willful wrongful act or
active gross negligence of MLBFS. In no event shall MLBFS be liable to Customer
or any other party for any incidental or consequential damages arising from any
act or omission by MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their affiliates in connection with
the WCMA Line of Credit or this Loan Agreement.

(e) Interest. The WCMA Loan Balance shall bear interest at the Interest Rate.
Interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of
a year consisting of 360 days. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements, no provision of this
Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements shall require the payment or
permit the collection of any amount in excess of the maximum amount of interest
permitted to be charged by law ("Excess Interest"). If any Excess Interest is
provided for, or is adjudicated as being provided for, in this Agreement or any
of the Additional Agreements, then: (a) Customer shall not be obligated to pay
any Excess Interest; and (b) any Excess Interest that MLBFS may have received
hereunder or under any of the Additional Agreements shall, at the option of
MLBFS, be: (i) applied as a credit against the then unpaid balance of the WCMA
Line of Credit, (ii) refunded to the payer thereof, or (iii) any combination of
the foregoing. Except as otherwise provided herein, accrued and unpaid interest
on the WCMA Loan Balance shall be payable monthly on the last Business Day of
each calendar month, commencing with the last Business Day of the calendar month
in which the Activation Date shall occur. Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes
and directs MLPF&S to pay MLBFS such accrued interest from any available free
credit balances in the WCMA Account, and if such available free credit balances
are insufficient to satisfy any interest payment due, to liquidate any
investments in the Money Accounts (other than any investments constituting any
Minimum Money Accounts Balance under the WCMA Directed Reserve program) in an
amount up to the balance of such accrued interest, and pay to MLBFS the
available proceeds on account thereof. If available free credit balances in the
WCMA Account and available proceeds of the Money Accounts are insufficient to
pay the entire balance of accrued interest, and Customer otherwise fails to make
such payment when due, MLBFS may, in its sole discretion, make a WCMA Loan in an
amount equal to the balance of such accrued interest and pay the proceeds of
such WCMA Loan to itself on account of such interest. The amount of any such
WCMA Loan will be added to the WCMA Loan Balance. If MLBFS declines to extend a
WCMA Loan to Customer under these circumstances, Customer hereby authorizes and
directs MLPF&S to make all such interest payments to MLBFS from any Minimum
Money Accounts Balance. If there is no Minimum Money Accounts Balance, or it is
insufficient to pay all



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such interest, MLBFS will invoice Customer for payment of the balance of the
accrued interest, and Customer shall pay such interest as directed by MLBFS
within 5 Business Days of receipt of such invoice.

(f) PAYMENTS. All payments required or permitted to be made pursuant to this
Loan Agreement shall be made in lawful money of the United States. Unless
otherwise directed by MLBFS, payments on account of the WCMA Loan Balance may be
made by the delivery of checks (other than WCMA Checks), or by means of FTS or
wire transfer of funds (other than funds from the WCMA Line of Credit) to MLPF&S
for credit to Customers WCMA Account. Notwithstanding anything in the WCMA
Agreement to the contrary, Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs
MLPF&S to apply available free credit balances in the WCMA Account to the
repayment of the WCMA Loan Balance prior to application for any other purpose.
Payments to MLBFS from funds in the WCMA Account shall be deemed to be made by
Customer upon the same basis and schedule as funds are made available for
investment in the Money Accounts in accordance with the terms of the WCMA
Agreement. All funds received by MLBFS from MLPF&S pursuant to the aforesaid
authorization shall be applied by MLBFS to repayment of the WCMA Loan Balance.
The acceptance by or on behalf of MLBFS of a check or other payment for a lesser
amount than shall be due from Customer, regardless of any endorsement or
statement thereon or transmitted therewith, shall not be deemed an accord and
satisfaction or anything other than a payment on account, and MLBFS or anyone
acting on behalf of MLBFS may accept such check or other payment without
prejudice to the rights of MLBFS to recover the balance actually due or to
pursue any other remedy under this Loan Agreement or applicable law for such
balance. All checks accepted by or on behalf of MLBFS in connection with the
WCMA Line of Credit are subject to final collection.

(g) EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM WCMA LINE OF CREDIT. In the event that the WCMA Loan
Balance shall at any time exceed the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit, Customer shall
within 1 Business Day of the first to occur of (i) any request or demand of
MLBFS, or (ii) receipt by Customer of a statement from MLPF&S showing a WCMA
Loan Balance in excess of the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit, deposit sufficient
funds into the WCMA Account to reduce the WCMA Loan Balance below the Maximum
WCMA Line of Credit.

(h) LINE FEE; EXTENSIONS. (i) In consideration of the extension of the WCMA Line
of Credit by MLBFS to Customer during the period from the Activation Date to and
including the last day of December in the year immediately following the year in
which the Activation Date shall occur, Customer has paid or shall pay the
initial Line Fee to MLBFS. If such fee has not heretofore been paid by Customer,
Customer hereby authorizes MLBFS, at its option, to either cause said fee to be
paid with a WCMA Loan which is added to the WCMA Loan Balance, or invoice
Customer for said fee (in which event Customer shall pay said fee within 5
Business Days after receipt of such invoice). No delay in the Activation Date,
howsoever caused, shall entitle Customer to any rebate or reduction in the Line
Fee or extension of the Maturity Date. Customer shall pay an additional Line Fee
for each 12-month period thereafter to the Maturity Date, and in connection
therewith hereby authorizes MLBFS, at its option, to either cause each such
additional Line Fee to be paid with a WCMA Loan which is added to the WCMA Loan
Balance, or invoice Customer for such Line Fee, as aforesaid, on or at any time
after the first Business Day of the first month of such 12-month period.

(ii) In the event MLBFS and Customer, in their respective sole discretion, agree
to renew the WCMA Line of Credit beyond the current Maturity Date, Customer
agrees to pay a renewal Line Fee or Line Fees (if the Maturity Date is extended
for more than one 24-month period), in the amount per 24-month period or other
applicable period then set forth in the writing signed by MLBFS which extends
the Maturity Date; it being understood that any request by Customer for a WCMA
Loan or failure of Customer to pay any WCMA Loan Balance outstanding on the
immediately prior Maturity Date, after the receipt by Customer of a writing
signed by MLBFS extending the Maturity Date, shall be deemed a consent by
Customer to both the renewal Line Fees and the new Maturity Date. If no renewal
Line Fees are set forth in the writing signed by MLBFS extending the Maturity
Date, the renewal Line Fee for each 24-month period shall be deemed to be the
same as the immediately preceding periodic Line Fee. Each such renewal Line Fee
may, at the option of MLBFS, either be paid with a WCMA Loan which is added to
the WCMA Loan Balance or invoiced to Customer, as aforesaid, on or at any time
after the first Business Day of the first month of the 24-month period for which
such fee is due.

(i) STATEMENTS. MLPF&S will include in each monthly statement it issues under
the WCMA Program information with respect to WCMA Loans and the WCMA Loan
Balance. Any questions that Customer may

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have with respect to such information should be directed to MLBFS; and any
questions with respect to any other matter in such statements or about or
affecting the WCMA Program should be directed to MLPF&S.

(j) USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS; SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS. The proceeds of each WCMA
Loan shall be used by Customer solely for general business purposes in the
ordinary course of its business, or, with the prior written consent of MLBFS,
for other lawful business purposes of Customer not prohibited hereby. CUSTOMER
AGREES THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL FUNDS BORROWED FROM MLBFS THROUGH THE
WCMA LINE OF CREDIT BE USED: (i) FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES OF
ANY PERSON WHATSOEVER, OR (ii) TO DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PURCHASE, CARRY OR
TRADE IN SECURITIES, OR REPAY DEBT INCURRED TO PURCHASE, CARRY OR TRADE IN
SECURITIES, WHETHER IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE WCMA ACCOUNT, ANOTHER ACCOUNT
OF CUSTOMER WITH MLPF&S OR AN ACCOUNT OF CUSTOMER AT ANY OTHER BROKER OR DEALER
IN SECURITIES.

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Customer represents and warrants to MLBFS that:

(a) ORGANIZATION AND EXISTENCE. Customer is a corporation, duly organized and
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
qualified to do business and in good standing in each other state where the
nature of its business or the property owned by it make such qualification
necessary.

(b) EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE. The execution, delivery and performance
by Customer of this Loan Agreement and such of the Additional Agreements to
which it is a party: (i) have been duly authorized by all requisite action, (ii)
do not and will not violate or conflict with any law or other governmental
requirement, or any of the agreements, instruments or documents which formed or
govern Customer, and (iii) do not and will not breach or violate any of the
provisions of, and will not result in a default by Customer under, any other
agreement, instrument or document to which it is a party or by which it or its
properties are bound.

(c) NOTICES AND APPROVALS. Except as may have been given or obtained, no notice
to or consent or approval of any governmental body or authority or other third
party whatsoever (including, without limitation, any other creditor) is required
in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Customer of such of
this Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which it is a party.

(d) ENFORCEABILITY. This Loan Agreement and such of the Additional Agreements to
which it is a party are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Customer,
enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting
the rights of creditors generally or by general principles of equity.

(e) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Except as expressly set forth in Customer's financial
statements, all financial statements of Customer furnished to MLBFS have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied, are true and correct, and fairly present the financial
condition of it as at such dates and the results of its operations for the
periods then ended; and since the most recent date covered by such financial
statements, there has been no material adverse change in any such financial
condition or operation.

(f) LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in Customer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ending September 27, 1996, no litigation, arbitration,
administrative or governmental proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of
Customer, threatened against Customer, which would, if adversely determined,
materially and adversely affect the liens and security interests of MLBFS
hereunder or under any of the Additional Agreements, the financial condition of
Customer or the continued operations of Customer.

(g) TAX RETURNS. All federal, state and local tax returns, reports and
statements required to be filed by Customer have been filed with the appropriate
governmental agencies and all taxes due and payable by Customer have been timely
paid (except to the extent that any such failure to file or pay will not
materially


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and adversely affect either the liens and security interests of MLBFS hereunder
or under any of the Additional Agreements, the financial condition of Customer,
or the continued operations of Customer).

Each of the foregoing representations and warranties: (i) has been relied upon
as an inducement to MLBFS to provide the WCMA Line of Credit, and (ii) is
continuing and shall be deemed remade by Customer concurrently with each request
for a WCMA Loan.

5. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS during the term of this
Loan Agreement all of the following:

(a) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal
year of Customer, Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS a
copy of the annual audited financial statements of Customer consisting of at
least a balance sheet as at the close of such fiscal year and related statements
of income, retained earnings and cash flows, certified by its current
independent certified public accountants or other independent certified public
accountants reasonably acceptable to MLBFS.

(b) INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 45 days after the close of each fiscal
quarter of Customer, Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS:
(i) a statement of profit and loss for the fiscal quarter then ended, and (ii) a
balance sheet as at the close of such fiscal quarter; all in reasonable detail
and certified by its chief financial officer.

(c) AGING OF ACCOUNTS. Within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of
Customer, Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS an aging of
its Accounts and any Chattel Paper, certified by its chief financial officer.

(d) OTHER INFORMATION. Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS
such other information as MLBFS may from time to time reasonably request
relating to Customer.

6. OTHER COVENANTS

Customer further agrees during the term of this Loan Agreement that:

(a) FINANCIAL RECORDS; INSPECTION. Customer will: (i) maintain at its principal
place of business complete and accurate books and records, and maintain all of
its financial records in a manner consistent with the financial statements
heretofore furnished to MLBFS, or prepared on such other basis as may be
approved in writing by MLBFS; and (ii) permit MLBFS or its duly authorized
representatives, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, to inspect its
properties (both real or personal), operations, books and records.

(b) TAXES. Customer will pay when due all taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges, howsoever designated, and all other liabilities and
obligations, except to the extent that any such failure to pay will not
materially and adversely affect either any liens and security interests of MLBFS
under any Additional Agreements, the financial condition of Customer or the
continued operations of Customer.

(c) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND AGREEMENTS. Customer will not violate any law,
regulation or other governmental requirement, any judgment or order of any court
or governmental agency or authority, or any agreement, instrument or document to
which it is a party or by which it is bound, if any such violation will
materially and adversely affect either any liens and security interests of MLBFS
under any Additional Agreements, or the financial condition or the continued
operations of Customer.

(d) NOTIFICATION BY CUSTOMER. Customer shall provide MLBFS with prompt written
notification of: (i) any Event of Default, or event which with the giving of
notice, passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default; (ii) any
materially adverse change in the business, financial condition or operations of
Customer; and (iii) any information which indicates that any financial
statements of Customer fail in any material respect to present fairly the
financial condition and results of operations purported to be presented


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in such statements. Each notification by Customer pursuant hereto shall specify
the event or information causing such notification, and, to the extent
applicable, shall specify the steps being taken to rectify or remedy such event
or information.

(e) Continuity. Except upon the prior written consent of MLBFS, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld: (i) Customer will not be a party to any
merger or consolidation with, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or
substantially all of the assets or stock of, or any material partnership or
joint venture interest in, any person or entity, or sell, transfer or lease all
or any substantial part of its assets if any such action causes a material
change in its control or principal business, or a material adverse change in its
financial condition or operations; (ii) Customer will preserve its existence and
good standing in the jurisdictions of establishment and operation, and will not
operate in any material business other than a business substantially the same as
its business as of the date of application by Customer for credit from MLBFS,
and (iii) Customer will not cause or permit any material change in its
controlling ownership, controlling senior management or, except upon not less
than 30 days prior written notice to MLBFS, its name or principal place of
business.

(f) Tangible Net Worth. The "tangible net worth" of Customer, consisting of
Customers net worth as shown on Customer's regular financial statements prepared
in a manner consistent with the terms hereof, but excluding an amount equal to:
(i) any assets which are ordinarily classified as "intangible" in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and (ii) any amounts now or
hereafter directly or indirectly owing to Customer by officers, shareholders or
affiliates of Customer, shall at all times exceed $35,000,000.00.

(g) Debt to Worth. The ratio of Customer's total debt to Customers tangible net
worth, determined as aforesaid, shall not at any time exceed 0.6 to 1.

(h) Minimum Cash Flow. The "Annualized Net Cash Flow" of Customer as of the end
of each of its fiscal quarters shall not be less than $2,000,000.00. As used
herein, "Annualized Net Cash Flow" shall mean, as of the end of any fiscal
quarter of Customer, the excess of (i) the sum of Customer's net after-tax
income and depreciation for the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters of
Customer, over (ii) the sum of the then current portion of long term debt and
all dividends and other distributions to shareholders in the immediately
preceding four fiscal quarters; all as shown on Customer's regular financial
statements prepared in a manner consistent with the terms hereof.

(i) Negative Pledge. Except upon the prior written consent of MLBFS, Customer
shall not directly or indirectly mortgage, encumber, pledge or grant a lien or
security interest in any of its assets or property, now owned or hereafter
acquired other than: (i) liens for current taxes not delinquent or being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) other non-consensual
liens arising in the ordinary course of business for sums not due, (iii)
purchase money liens upon and leases of equipment, and (iv) liens in favor of
MLBFS.

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an "Event of
Default' under this Loan Agreement:

(a) Failure to Pay. Customer shall fail to pay to MLBFS or deposit into the WCMA
Account when due any amount owing or required to be paid or deposited by
Customer under this Loan Agreement, or shall fail to pay when due any other
Obligations, and any such failure shall continue for more than 5 Business Days
after written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to Customer.

(b) Failure to Perform. Customer shall default in the performance or observance
of any covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under this
Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements (not constituting an Event of
Default under any other clause of this Section), and such default shall continue
unremedied for 10 Business Days after written notice thereof shall have been
given by MLBFS to Customer,


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(c) Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty made by Customer
contained in this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements shall at
any time prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made.

(d) Default Under Other Agreement. A default or Event of Default by Customer or
any other party providing collateral for the Obligations shall occur under the
terms of any other agreement, instrument or document with or intended for the
benefit of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their affiliates involving in the case of
indebtedness owned to a party other than MLBFS, indebtedness of $500,000.00 or
more, and any required notice shall have been given and required passage of time
shall have elapsed.

(e) Bankruptcy, Etc. A proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt or receivership law or statute
shall be filed by Customer, or any such proceeding shall be filed against
Customer and shall not be dismissed or withdrawn within 60 days after filing, or
Customer shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or Customer
shall become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its
inability to pay, its debts as they become due.

(f) Material Impairment. Any event shall occur which shall reasonably cause
MLBFS to in good faith believe that the prospect of payment or performance by
Customer has been materially impaired.

(g) Acceleration of Debt to Other Creditors. Any event shall occur which results
in the acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness of $500,000.00 or more
of Customer to another creditor under any indenture, agreement, undertaking, or
otherwise.

8. REMEDIES

(a) Remedies Upon Default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default, MLBFS may at its sole option do any one or more or all of the
following, at such time and in such order as MLBFS may in its sole discretion
choose:

(i) Termination. MLBFS may without notice terminate the WCMA Line of Credit and
all obligations to provide the WCMA Line of Credit or otherwise extend any
credit to or for the benefit of Customer; and upon any such termination MLBFS
shall be relieved of all such obligations.

(ii) Acceleration. MLBFS may declare the principal of and interest on the WCMA
Loan Balance, and all other Obligations to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon all such amounts shall be immediately due and payable, without
presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of protest, notice of
dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate or other notice
or formality of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

(b) Remedies are Severable and Cumulative. All rights and remedies of MLBFS
herein are severable and cumulative and in addition to all other rights and
remedies available in the Additional Agreements, at law or in equity, and any
one or more of such rights and remedies may be exercised simultaneously or
successively.

9. MISCELLANEOUS

(a) Non-Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of MLBFS in exercising any
right, power or remedy pursuant to this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional
Agreements shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise
of any such right, power or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise
thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Neither any waiver
of any provision of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements, nor
any consent to any departure by Customer therefrom, shall be effective unless
the same shall be in writing and signed by MLBFS. Any waiver of any provision of
this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements and any consent to any
departure by Customer from the terms of this Loan Agreement or any of the
Additional Agreements shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which given. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, no notice to or demand on Customer shall in any case entitle Customer to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.


                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9



(b) Disclosure. Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes MLBFS and each of its
affiliates, including without limitation MLBF&S, to at any time (whether or not
an Event of Default shall have occurred) obtain from and disclose to each other
any and all financial and other information about Customer. In connection with
said authorization, the parties recognize that in order to provide a WCMA Line
of Credit certain information about Customer is required to be made available on
a computer network accessible by certain affiliates of MLBFS, including MLPF&S.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, MLBFS will use reasonable precautions to maintain
on a confidential basis the contents of any accounts receivable agings or other
information expressly in writing designated by Customer as being "confidential"
and safeguard such information against unauthorized publication or disclosure to
third parties other than to MLBFS employees, agents, auditors and consultants
who have a need to know in connection with this Loan Agreement and/or in the
ordinary course of MLBFS' business. Nothing herein shall be deemed to preclude
MLBFS from disclosing any such information: (i) to those parties to whom MLBFS
is, in the opinion of its counsel, required to disclose such information by any
law, judicial order or rule, or by any order, rule, regulation or request of any
governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body, or (ii) to anyone if and to
the extent that such information becomes lawfully available from any other
source.

(c) Communications. All notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be either delivered personally, mailed
by postage prepaid certified mail or sent by express overnight courier or by
facsimile. Such notices and communications shall be deemed to be given on the
date of personal delivery, facsimile transmission or actual delivery of
certified mail, or one Business Day after delivery to an express overnight
courier. Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance
with the terms hereof, notices and other communications in writing shall be
given to the parties hereto at their respective addresses set forth at the
beginning of this Loan Agreement, or, in the case of facsimile transmission, to
the parties at their respective regular facsimile telephone number.

(d) Costs, Expenses and Taxes. Customer shall upon demand pay or reimburse MLBFS
for: (i) all Uniform Commercial Code filing and search fees and expenses
incurred by MLBFS in connection with the verification, perfection or
preservation of MLBFS' rights hereunder or in any collateral for the
Obligations; (ii) any and all stamp, transfer and other taxes and fees payable
or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery and/or
recording of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements; and (iii)
all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to,
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel) incurred by MLBFS in connection
with the enforcement of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements
or the protection of MLBFS' rights hereunder or thereunder, excluding, however,
salaries and expenses of MLBFS' employees. The obligations of Customer under
this paragraph shall survive the expiration or termination of this Loan
Agreement and the discharge of the other Obligations.

(e) Right to Perform Obligations. If Customer shall fail to do any act or thing
which it has covenanted to do under this Loan Agreement or any representation or
warranty on the part of Customer contained in this Loan Agreement shall be
breached, MLBFS may, in its sole discretion, after 5 days written notice is sent
to Customer (or such lesser notice, including no notice, as is reasonable under
the circumstances), do the same or cause it to be done or remedy any such
breach, and may expend its funds for such purpose. Any and all reasonable
amounts so expended by MLBFS shall be repayable to MLBFS by Customer upon
demand, with interest at the Interest Rate during the period from and including
the date funds are so expended by MLBFS to the date of repayment, and all such
amounts shall be additional Obligations. The payment or performance by MLBFS of
any of Customer's obligations hereunder shall not relieve Customer of said
obligations or of the consequences of having failed to pay or perform the same,
and shall not waive or be deemed a cure of any Event of Default.

(f) Late Charge. Any payment required to be made by Customer pursuant to this
Loan Agreement not paid within 10 days of the applicable due date shall be
subject to a late charge in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 5% of the
overdue amount, or (ii) the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Such
late charge shall be payable on demand, or, without demand, may in the sole
discretion of MLBFS be paid by a WCMA Loan and added to the WCMA Loan Balance in
the same manner as provided herein for accrued interest.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10



(g) Further Assurances. Customer agrees to do such further acts and things and
to execute and deliver to MLBFS such additional agreements, instruments and
documents as MLBFS may reasonably require or deem advisable to effectuate the
purposes of this Loan Agreement or any the Additional Agreements.

(h) Binding Effect. This Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements shall be
binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of MLBFS, Customer and their
respective successors and assigns. Customer shall not assign any of its rights
or delegate any of its obligations under this Loan Agreement or any of the
Additional Agreements without the prior written consent of MLBFS. Unless
otherwise expressly agreed to in a writing signed by MLBFS, no such consent
shall in any event relieve Customer of any of its obligations under this Loan
Agreement or the Additional Agreements.

(i) Headings. Captions and section and paragraph headings in this Loan Agreement
are inserted only as a matter of convenience, and shall not affect the
interpretation hereof.

(j) Governing Law. This Loan Agreement, and, unless otherwise expressly provided
therein, each of the Additional Agreements, shall be governed in all respects by
the laws of the State of Illinois.

(k) Severability of Provisions. Whenever possible, each provision of this Loan
Agreement and the Additional Agreements shall be interpreted in such manner as
to be effective and valid under applicable law. Any provision of this Loan
Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating
the remaining provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

(1) Term. This Loan Agreement shall become effective on the date accepted by
MLBFS at its office in Chicago, Illinois, and, subject to the terms hereof,
shall continue in effect so long thereafter as the WCMA Line of Credit shall be
in effect or there shall be any Obligations outstanding.

(m) Counterparts. This Loan Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts which, when taken together, constitute one and the same agreement.

(n) Integration. THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS,
CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AND REPRESENTS THE FULL AND FINAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, AND MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR WRITTEN AGREEMENTS OR PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS
OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. Without limiting the foregoing, Customer
acknowledges that: (i) no promise or commitment has been made to it by MLBFS,
MLPF&S or any of their respective employees, agents or representatives to extend
the availability of the WCMA Line of Credit or the due date of the WCMA Loan
Balance beyond the current Maturity Date, or to increase the Maximum WCMA Line
of Credit, or otherwise extend any other credit to Customer or any other party;
(ii) no purported extension of the Maturity Date, increase in the Maximum WCMA
Line of Credit or other extension or agreement to extend credit shall be valid
or binding unless expressly set forth in a written instrument signed by MLBFS;
and (iii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Loan Agreement
supersedes and replaces any and all proposals, letters of intent and approval
and commitment letters from MLBFS to Customer, none of which shall be considered
an Additional Agreement. No amendment or modification of this Agreement or any
of the Additional Agreements to which Customer is a party shall be effective
unless in a writing signed by both MLBFS and Customer.

(o) Jurisdiction; Waiver. CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS LOAN AGREEMENT IS
BEING ACCEPTED BY MLBFS IN PARTIAL CONSIDERATION OF MLBFS' RIGHT AND OPTION, IN
ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO ENFORCE THIS LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS IN EITHER THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE
CUSTOMER OR ANY COLLATERAL FOR THE OBLIGATIONS MAY BE LOCATED. CUSTOMER CONSENTS
TO JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND VENUE IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
IN


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11



THE COUNTY OF COOK FOR SUCH PURPOSES, AND CUSTOMER WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO
CONTEST SAID JURISDICTION AND VENUE. CUSTOMER FURTHER WAIVES ANY RIGHTS TO
COMMENCE ANY ACTION AGAINST MLBFS IN ANY JURISDICTION EXCEPT IN THE COUNTY OF
COOK AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. MLBFS AND CUSTOMER HEREBY EACH EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY
AND ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
MATTER RELATING TO, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE WCMA LINE OF
CREDIT, THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS AND/OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN AGREEMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan Agreement has been executed as of the day and year
first above written.

MINIMED INC.


By: /s/ [SIG]
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
           Signature (1)                   Signature (2)

    /s/ [SIG]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Printed Name                    Printed Name

   Chief Financial Officer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Title                           Title


Accepted at Chicago, Illinois: 
MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL 
SERVICES INC.


By:
   -------------------------------------------------




                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12



                              [MERRILL LYNCH LOGO]

                            CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
                             (WCMA Line Of Credit)

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES that the undersigned is the duly appointed and
acting Secretary (or Assistant Secretary) of MINIMED INC. , a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and that the following is a true, accurate and compared transcript of
resolutions duly, validly and lawfully adopted on the 19th day of December,
1996 by the Board of Directors of said corporation acting in accordance with the
laws of the state of incorporation and the charter and by-laws of said
corporation:

       "RESOLVED, that it is advisable and in the best interests of this
       Corporation that in connection with Working Capital Management Account
       No. 21C-07H08 that this Corporation is subscribing from Merrill Lynch,
       Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated it obtain from MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS
       FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. ("MLBFS") a commercial line of credit referred to
       by MLBFS as a "WCMA Line of Credit"; and

       "FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, Treasurer,
       Secretary or other officer of this Corporation, or any one or more of
       them, be and each of them hereby is authorized and empowered for and on
       behalf of this Corporation to: (a) execute and deliver to MLBFS: (i) a
       WCMA Note and Loan Agreement and all other agreements, instruments and
       documents required by MLBFS in connection with said Line of Credit, and
       (ii) any present or future extensions of and amendments to any of the
       foregoing; all in such form as such officer shall approve, as
       conclusively evidenced by his signature thereon; (b) grant to MLBFS such
       liens and security interests on any of the assets of this Corporation as
       collateral therefor and/or the other obligations of this Corporation to
       MLBFS as may be required by MLBFS; and (c) do and perform all such acts
       and things deemed by any such officer to be necessary or advisable to
       carry out and perform the undertakings and agreements of this Corporation
       in connection therewith; and all prior acts of said officers in these
       premises are hereby ratified and confirmed; and

       "FURTHER RESOLVED, that MLBFS is authorized to rely upon the foregoing
       resolutions until it receives written notice of any change or revocation,
       which change or revocation shall not in any event affect the obligations
       of this Corporation with respect to any transaction committed to by MLBFS
       or having its inception prior to the receipt of such notice by MLBFS."

THE UNDERSIGNED FURTHER CERTIFIES that the foregoing resolutions have not been
rescinded, modified or repealed in any manner and are in full force and effect
as of the date of this Certificate, and that the following individuals are now
the elected and acting officers of said corporation:

       President:  /s/ [SIG]
                  ------------------------------

       Vice President:  /s/ [SIG]
                       ------------------------------  

       Secretary:  /s/ [SIG]
                  ------------------------------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate and has
affixed the seal of said corporation hereto, pursuant to due authorization, all
as of this 21st day of January, 1997.


(Corporate Seal)                 /s/ [SIG]
                        -------------------------------
                                    Secretary

                                  ERIC KENTOR
                        -------------------------------
                                  Printed Name


<PAGE>   13
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                                                   THIS SPACE FOR USE OF FILING OFFICER
                                                       

FINANCING STATEMENT - FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
This Financing Statement is presented for filing pursuant to the Uniform
Commercial Code and will remain effective, with certain exceptions, for 5 years
from date of filing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. NAME & TEL. OF CONTACT AT FILER (optional)                           B. FILING OFFICE ACCT. # (optional)


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. RETURN COPY TO: (Name and Mailing Address)

        CSC NETWORKS/PHL&FS
        1013 Centre Rd.
        Wilmington, DE 18905-1297



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. OPTIONAL DESIGNATION (if applicable):  [ ]  LESSOR/LESSEE [ ]   [ ] CONSIGNOR/CONSIGNEE       [ ] NON-UCC FILING 

 
1. DEBTOR'S EXACT FULL LEGAL NAME - insert only one debtor name (1a or 1b)
   
     1a. ENTITY'S NAME
    
         Minimed Inc.
OR  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1b. INDIVIDUAL'S LAST NAME                              FIRST NAME              MIDDLE NAME           SUFFIX

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1c.  MAILING ADDRESS                                     CITY                    STATE   COUNTRY   POSTAGE CODE

         12744 San Fernando Road                             Sylmar                  CA                  91342
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1d. SS OR TAX I.D.#    OPTIONAL    1a. TYPE OF ENTITY    1f. ENTITY'S STATE      1g. ENTITIES ORGANIZATIONAL
                        ADD'NL INFO RE                       OR COUNTRY OF               I.D. # IF ANY
                         ENTITY DEBTOR                       ORGANIZATION                                   [ ] None
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. ADDITIONAL DEBTOR'S EXACT FULL LEGAL NAME - Insert only one debtor name (2a or 2b)

     2a. ENTITY'S NAME
    
                     
OR  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2b. INDIVIDUAL'S LAST NAME                              FIRST NAME              MIDDLE NAME           SUFFIX

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2c.  MAILING ADDRESS                                     CITY                    STATE    COUNTRY   POSTAGE CODE

                                                                                                             
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2d. SS OR TAX I.D.#    OPTIONAL    1a. TYPE OF ENTITY    2f. ENTITY'S STATE      2g. ENTITIES ORGANIZATIONAL
                        ADD'NL INFO RE                       OR COUNTRY OF              I.D. # IF ANY
                         ENTITY DEBTOR                       ORGANIZATION                                   [ ] None
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. SECURED PARTY'S (ORIGINAL S/P or ITS TOTAL ASSIGNEE) EXACT FULL LEGAL NAME - insert only one secured party 
   name (3a or 3b)

     3a. ENTITY'S NAME
    
         Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.
OR  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3b. INDIVIDUAL'S LAST NAME                              FIRST NAME              MIDDLE NAME           SUFFIX

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3c.  MAILING ADDRESS                                     CITY                    STATE  COUNTRY   POSTAGE CODE

         33 W. Monroe, 22nd Floor                            Chicago                   IL              60603
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. THIS FINANCING STATEMENT covers the following types or items of property:

Debtor has agreed that, except upon the prior written consent of Secured Party,
Debtor will not directly or indirectly mortgage, encumber or grant a security
interest in any of its property, now owned or hereafter acquired except (i)
liens for current taxes not delinquent or being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings, (ii) other non-consensual liens arising in the
ordinary course of business for sums not due, (iii) purchase money liens upon
and leases of equipment, and (iv) liens in favor of MLBFS. THIS FILING IS GIVEN
AS NOTICE OF SAID NEGATIVE PLEDGE AGREEMENT, AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CREATE OR
PERFECT A SECURITY INTEREST.


                                   CSC#/M000023/96-000787/1/1 CA:California SOS


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK [ ]  This FINANCING STATEMENT is signed by the Secured Party instead of   7. if filed in Florida (check one)
           the Debtor to perfect a security interest (a) in collateral already     
           subject to a security interest in another jurisdiction when it was    [ ] Documentary     [ ]   Documentary stamp
           brought into this state, or when the debtor's location was changed        stamp tax paid        tax not applicable
           to this state, or (b) in accordance with other statutory provisions
           (additional date may be required)
(If applicable)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. REQUIRED SIGNATURE(S)                                           8. [ ] This FINANCING STATEMENT is to be filed (for record)
   Minimed Inc.                                                           (or recorded) in the REAL ESTATE RECORDS
                                                                          Attach Addendum                      (if applicable) 
              /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]  1/21/92
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.                     9. Check to REQUEST SEARCH CERTIFICATE(S) on Debtor(s)
                                                                   (ADDITIONAL FEE)
                                                                   (optional)      [ ] All Debtors  [ ] Debtor 1  [ ] Debtor 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) FILING OFFICER COPY  

                              - NATIONAL FINANCING STATEMENT (FORM UCC 1) (TRANS) (REV. 12/18/95)
</TABLE>