The blood-sugar level is measured using a Meter. Research has shown that Type 1 diabetics in the United States are only one-fifth of those who maintain an average blood sugar level within the recommended range.
Photo: Jens Kalaene/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
A wearable device that regulates blood sugar levels automatically was found to be a great help for people with Type 1 Diabetes. This could potentially expand the range of treatments available for the chronic condition.
According to a Wednesday study in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with Type 1 diabetes saw their iLet bionic Pancreas reduce blood sugar levels by more than any other treatment methods, including similar devices.
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the iLet, a type automated insulin-delivery system for distribution in the United States. In 2019, the agency granted the agency breakthrough-device designation in order to speed up the review process. The agency stated that it would not comment on any pending applications. The FDA has approved automated insulin-delivery system from three other companies.
Medtronic
PLC, Tandem Diabetes Care
Insulet Corp.
According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 diabetes can be fatal and affects nearly 2 million Americans. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin in the pancreas. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels. Diabetes buildups can lead to complications such as heart disease and kidney disease. High levels of insulin can cause low blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous.
To avoid complications, Type 1 diabetics need to be given the correct amount of insulin. This has meant multiple insulin injections and fingerstick blood tests every day for many years.
Laurel Messer,
Co-author of the iLet research. Research has shown that only about one-fifth (or less) of Type 1 diabetics in the United States maintain blood sugar levels within the recommended range.
Dr. Messer, a researcher at The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes at University of Colorado, said that math is a daily psychological burden.
Automated insulin delivery systems are designed to simplify the process. They monitor glucose levels and inject insulin as required.
Studies show that hundreds of thousands of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics use the Medtronic Tandem, Insulet and Tandem devices. Dr. Messer stated that the devices can be purchased with a prescription costing around $6,000 and some of this is usually covered by insurance. She said that insulin cartridges and other supplies can be expensive, costing hundreds of dollars per month without insurance.
Beta Bionics co-founder
Ed Damiano
The iLet, whose name refers to the pancreatic islands of Langerhans containing insulin-producing cells, would be similar in price. Professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University, Dr. Damiano said that the iLet requires less input than other devices. His son is Type 1 diabetic.
Dr. Damiano explained that other automated insulin-delivery systems require patients or healthcare providers estimate the ratio of insulin to carbs. These systems ask users to indicate how much insulin they want to administer and how many carbohydrates they will consume before each meal. To regulate excess glucose through carbohydrates, larger doses of insulin must be administered before meals.
Dr. Damiano explained that iLet users can input their body weight when they first set it up and indicate before each meal if it is smaller, more typical, or larger than they are used to. They don’t have to count the carbs in the meal. iLet users have the ability to stop insulin being administered, but not manually adjust insulin doses.
Dr. Damiano compared iLet with a driverless car. He said, “Some people really need the steering wheel and it would make their nervous,” “But we hope it will lift the anxiety of many people who would be benefitted from it.”
Dr. Damiano stated that the iLet should only be charged for a few moments each day. He said that the iLet can store about two to three days of insulin, as with other automated insulin delivery systems.
Over 200 children and adults with Type 1 diabetes used iLet for approximately three months in the random-control study published Wednesday. The results were compared to about 100 people with the same condition who used other insulin-delivery methods such as non-automated insulin pumps or daily insulin injections.
The study found that iLet users had lower average blood sugar levels. The average blood sugar levels of the other group did not change. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in severe hypoglycemia.
Jason Baker
An assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York said that no insulin-delivery system can be considered fully automated. Dr. Baker, a Type 1 diabetic, stated that patients should periodically supplement the systems with fingerstick blood testing to ensure it is functioning properly.
He said, “Many people struggle against diabetes burnout.” “New systems could revitalize them, re-engage and give them hope.”
Write to Dominique Mosbergen at [email protected]