An insulin delivery system that has been under development for the past decade has been given the seal of approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Dubbed as the first "artificial pancreas system", this device, known as the MiniMed 670G hybrid closed loop system and manufactured by Medtronic, does not only monitor blood glucose levels but also corrects them by secreting insulin through a built-in pump, similar to what a real pancreas does, according to the Mirror.
The pancreas is an organ located in the digestive system that is responsible for the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates the level of blood sugar in the body. However, for patients with Type-1 Diabetes, this is not achievable.This disease, which affects as many as three million people in the US alone according to the CDC, hinders the body from creating the hormone, causing the blood sugars levels to fluctuate drastically.
However, as with the development of any remarkable breakthrough, the pathway to success is still riddled with challenges. One of the biggest concerns that most patients would have to deal with is affordability, as stated by NPR.
Although most insurance companies cover the cost of the expensive insulin pens and vials at little to no cost, the same sentiment cannot be predicted when the delivery systems are officially released into the market. Furthermore, the insulin injected into the skin does not work instantaneously. Instead, it takes quite some time for it to function.
Even with the success that the device is gaining at its premature stage, the MiniMed 670G is only available for patients who are 14 years of age and older. However, with extensive research, a device for younger patients might be available in the future.
After the approval of this device by the Food and Drug Administration last week, U.K. researchers are now working for the approval for their own development of this life-changing innovation.
