The Type 1 Breakthrough We've Been Waiting For
For years, the promise of an artificial pancreas has loomed over the diabetes community. The promises have never come to fruition, however, turning the artificial pancreas into something of a sad joke – a sign of the medical community's failings in diabetes management.
But now, the wait is over.
The MiniMed 670G
At the end of September, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new device from medical tech company Medtronic: the MiniMed 670G.
This device is meant to act as an artificial pancreas, measuring the diabetic person's blood every five minutes and administering insulin to regulate his or her levels. The FDA's approval of the MiniMed comes about six months earlier than anticipated, sparking interest in the latest in diabetes management technology. The device is expected to be on the market in Spring 2017.
The Details
How will the MiniMed 670G work? The device works with an insulin pump on a closed loop system; essentially, a glucose sensor is put under the skin with a needle, and this sensor delivers blood sugar readings to an insulin pump worn on the abdomen. As the two devices communicate, they administer insulin to the person, making sure that their glucose levels are optimal throughout the day.
Derek Rapp, chief executive officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, has praised the device for its effective, intuitive operations. “This device will mean peace of mind, in knowing a person will be in normal blood sugar range a great majority of the time,” he said.
The Drawbacks
While Medtronic's device is a tremendous step forward for the 1.25 million people with type 1 diabetes in the United States, there are some limitations on its reach. For example, the device is only approved for people 14 years of age or older. The device is expected to cost between $5000 and $6000, too, making it potentially inaccessible for lower-income diabetics.
The device also requires some maintenance – though admittedly, less maintenance than the average day for a diabetic. The device has to be re calibrated every 12 hours, as well as after any exercise. Additionally, the insulin reservoir on the MiniMed must be replaced every three days. Wearability has also been a concern, as many diabetics object to being continually strapped to two devices.
But drawbacks aside, as Aaron Kowalski, chief mission officer for the JDRF pointed out, “The diabetes isn’t gone, but [wearers] can think about it less …This is a historic milestone.”
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...