Omnipod & Dexcom Artificial Pancreas
Exciting news for users of the the Omnipod Insulin Pump and Dexcom CGM System. It looks like a Tubeless Artifical Pancreas may be on the horizon. Insulet the manufacturers of the Omnipod Tubeless Insulin Pump have just announced a partnership and licence agreement with Mode AGC (Automated Glucose Control LLC) to develop an advanced artificial pancreas algorithm. The system will use the tubeless Omnipod pump and latest Dexcom technology.
I have to say this news is welcomed in our home. With the race now on for the worlds first artificial pancreas to make it into the pharmaceutical market, there are a number of projects currently underway. The idea of an artificial pancreas is of course appealing to many but my son has always claimed he didn’t want an artificial pancreas because he likes the pump he already has and doesn’t want to change. We use the Omnipod and have just started using the Dexcom G5 system, so we are delighted that there may be an artificial pancreas that utilizes the technology that we are already using.
One of the many battles that parents face with children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes is getting them to try new technology, it can be very scary for them.
It’s been a concern of mine for a while now that when the artificial pancreas becomes a reality we may be forced to move to a tubed pump if we wanted to go down that route, so it’s great to hear that a tubeless option may well be available.
For those that don’t know an artificial pancreas will use an algorithm that essentially communicates information between an insulin pump and a CGM. For example hormones hit in the night and blood glucose levels start to rise, which is detected on the CGMS, and a correction dose of insulin will automatically be delivered through the insulin pump. When a hypo is predicted the basal insulin will be suspended until levels stabilize, though in some projects they are experimenting with doses of Glycogen also being given.
It looks like the algorithm has already been created by Drs. Doyle, Dassau and Zisser and has been further developed by Mode AGC. Recently Insulet have been working with Mode AGC and the inventors to optimize the performance of the algorithm for incorporation into their new product.
It is hoped that what could be the World’s first, tubeless, artificial pancreas will not only improve blood glucose control but also enhance quality of life for patients living with Type 1 Diabetes. Omnipod and Dexcom have already proved to be quality products and are well established brands in the Pharmaceutical market. We are looking forward to more news on the Omnipod – Dexcom Artificial Pancreas. Unfortunately there is no timeline for this just yet, but as soon as we know more on this we will of course update you. In the mean time you can read the full press release here.
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