New system to control blood glucose levels

A clinical trial evaluating a new artificial pancreas system - which automatically monitors and regulates blood glucose levels - has found that the new system is more effective than existing treatments at controlling blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes. The trial, based partly at the University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The artificial pancreas, also known as closed-loop control, is an ‘all-in-one’ diabetes management system that tracks blood glucose levels using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and automatically delivers the hormone insulin when needed using an insulin pump. The system replaces reliance on testing by fingerstick or CGM with separate delivery of insulin by multiple daily injections or a pump.

The system improved blood glucose control throughout the day and overnight. Overnight control has been a challenge since blood glucose can drop to dangerously low levels when a person is asleep.