Artificial Pancreas Device: The Artificial Pancreas Device is a system that helps people with diabetes automatically regulate their blood glucose level by providing the substitute endocrine functionality of a healthy pancreas. Artificial Pancreas consists of three types of devices that previously familiar to many people with diabetes: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and an insulin pump. A blood glucose device (glucose meter) is applied to calibrate the CGM.
A computer-controlled algorithm connects the CGM and insulin pump to permit continuous communication attaching the two devices. An Artificial Pancreas Device System will not only monitors glucose levels but also automatically adjusts the delivery of insulin to overcome high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and reduce the incidence of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) with no input from the patient.
An artificial pancreas device help people with type 1 diabetes manage their condition. The FDA recently approved it for treating type 1 diabetes in people age 14 and older.
Medtronic’s hybrid closed-loop system, the world’s first “artificial pancreas,” (MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-loop system)in the U.S. market. The system is the only FDA-approved insulin pump that automatically delivers basal insulin to control blood glucose levels in people with Type 1 diabetes.
How Artificial Pancreas System Work
A CGM presents a steady stream of information that indicates the patient’s blood glucose levels. A small transmitter transmits information to a receiver. The most realistic estimates of blood glucose possible from a CGM, the patient needs to periodically calibrate the CGM using a blood glucose measurement from a BGD.
A control algorithm is a software installed on an external processor (controller) that collects information from the CGM and presents a series of mathematical calculations. Based on these calculations, the controller transfers dosing instructions to the insulin pump.
Based on the instructions sent by the controller, an infusion pump adjusts the insulin delivery to the tissue under the skin.
The concentration of glucose circulating in the patient’s blood is constantly changing. It is affected by the patient’s diet, activity level, and how his or her body metabolizes insulin and other substances.
Types of Artificial Pancreas
There are three foremost artificial pancreas systems doing worked on by researchers:
- Closed-loop artificial pancreas
- Implanted artificial pancreas
- Bionic pancreas
Advantages of Artificial Pancreas
- Improved diabetic care
- Better methods for prevention diabetic complication
Disadvantages of Artificial Pancreas
While the advantages of an artificial pancreas are many, the technology comes with disadvantages as well. A CGM measures the glucose level in the tissue fluid, that does not change as quickly as the glucose level in the blood, which can commence to inappropriate dosing of insulin while the blood glucose is too high or too low. Patients would require carrying an additional device. And it’s currently only available for clinical trials.
Price of Artificial Pancreas
Estimated it may cost $5,000 to $8,000, with the annual cost of disposable sensors for another few thousand dollars.
Medtronic Artificial Pancreas Cost
Medtronic got approval for the MiniMed 670G from the FDA in 2016. Advertised as “The World’s First Hybrid Closed Loop System,” it is the first commercial product of its kind – capable to automate insulin delivery and expecting lesser patient input than in the past. Medtronic artificial pancreas cost $5,000 to $8,000, with the yearly cost of disposable sensors extra few thousand dollars.
