Medtronic: In the lead
Medtronic stepped ahead of the pack last September when it won FDA approval for its MiniMed 670G artificial pancreas hybrid closed loop system, making it the 1st system of its kind to win clearance globally. While the system isn’t a stand-alone artificial pancreas, as it requires entry of carbohydrates and a baseline blood sample, it is a significant step toward the development of a fully capable closed-loop solution.
The MiniMed 670G is designed to automatically track and adjust blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, measuring blood glucose every 5 minutes and automatically administering or withholding insulin.
The system from medical device giant – based in Ireland but with operational headquarters in Minnesota – includes a body-attached sensor to track glucose levels under the skin, a worn insulin pump and an infusion patch connected to the pump with a catheter to deliver insulin. The device will automatically adjust insulin levels, but requires manual entry of carbohydrates consumed and approval for bolus correction recommendations.
The device features Medtronic’s SmartGuard algorithm, which the company says is the 1st step on its phased approach towards developing a fully automated, closed-loop system. The MiniMed 670G also includes the company’s Guardian Sensor, a glucose sensor with a 7-day lifespan and baked in diagnostic technology to constantly monitor the sensor’s health. The system is designed to “learn” an individual’s insulin needs and take action to minimize both high and low glucose levels.
The system won approval for the treatment of individuals with type 1 diabetes ages 14 and older, with ongoing studies looking to expand the indication to additional patient populations. Medtronic said it is planning a commercial release in the spring of 2017, with “system availability increasing over time.”
Regulatory approval of the system outside the U.S. is expected by the summer of 2017, Medtronic said.
I’m patiently waiting for this to hit the marke; T1 for 58 years!
Thank you!
Thanks for the comment, Gayle. Hope you don’t have to wait much longer!
but what about the advancements in this? worth looking at, it is being investigated by the same people that are investing in this product. hope for us T1 diabetics is coming, one way or another. there is hope.
http://thejdca.org/practical-cure-project-update-bcg
Hats off to you, Gayle.
Waiting impatiently.
Mum of a 10-year-old T1
How do i get to be in the trial?
This will be great. I am 67 years old and am fighting the battle of diabetes. I would love to trial test something like this. I worked in the Medical field for 39 years and was always studying how to beat this terrible disease.
Ronnie McBride
I wish all success. I hope for biological approach to protect islet insulin producing cells for implant or infusion of cells to restore natural function of glucose metabolism. May God help us.
T1D for 70 years. Why not a cure instead of costing us more and more to live. We are the support of these drug and device companies. Thank you for this article. I do a diabetic newsletter for a T1D optimist club. Our next speaker is building his own device.
Thanks for the insights, Pat. I think it really says something about the motivation of the diabetes community that there’s so much do-it-yourself activity going on with devices, including when it comes to an artificial pancreas. Who do you have speaking?
You forgetting a big player in the Netherlands.
https://inredadiabetic.nl
Thanks for pointing out, Frank!