First Artificial Pancreas Approved by FDA for Diabetes

[kerouac2]

Source: The Diabetic News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Medtronic’s MiniMed 670G hybrid closed looped system, the first FDA-approved device that is intended to automatically monitor glucose (sugar) and provide appropriate basal insulin doses in people 14 years of age and older with type 1 diabetes.

The MiniMed 670G hybrid closed looped system, often referred to as an “artificial pancreas,” is intended to adjust insulin levels with little or no input from the user.

First Artificial Pancreas Approved by FDA for Diabetes
http://thediabeticnews.com/first-artificial-pancreas-approved-for-diabetes/



Read more: http://thediabeticnews.com/first-artificial-pancreas-approved-for-diabetes/

[tonyt53]

1. I sure hope this moves quickly. I've already lost two friends to pancreatic cancer just this year.

That stuff is a death sentence.

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. Were they diabetics before the cancers?

If you know?

I was just reading the other day about research into adult onset type 1 diabetes. The case was being made that it is a possible precursor to exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma (not the type Steve Jobs had). It was intriguing as they very rarely catch PC before it is very, very advanced. The downside was that early testing would be very invasive and incredibly expensive even with the new diagnosis of diabetes to justify it.

[happynewyear]

2. How much?

Or is this something that only the 1% can afford?

[kerouac2]

3. $299 or less if you have a MiniMed 630G insulin pump & certain coverage...

Link in the story for people who want to be the first to try it (Priority Access program).

It lists cost as this:

- Priority Access program initial cost = $799
- Trade-in credit on your MiniMed 630G pump & CGM system - $500
- Your total out of pocket program cost = only $299††

For a limited time only
Your out of pocket cost could be as low as $0**

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Thats incredible

I thought pumps were around $6,500 in startups (never mind the elevated cost for insulin). Could be wrong on that -- its been a while since I looked into it.

If that new device is going to go for under $1k, they are going to sell a lot of them.

[okwmember]

7. They are. My last pump 3 years ago (Animas)

was $5000. I haven't used a minimed (Medtronic) in 16 years so I don't know what the Priority Access Pgm is. It sounds like a plan for current Medtronic users to upgrade. Also keep in mind there are lots of expensive supplies that come with pumps, syringes, infusion sets and tubing and of course the insulin. My previous health plan had no deductible on durable medical equipment, but our current plan does. Medtronic will more than make its money.

I guess I'll find out next year when the warranty on my current pump expires and I have to get a new one. I just got a letter from United Healthcare that they are now exclusively buying pumps from Medtronic which I was not happy to hear. I liked shopping around for the pump features that were important to me and Medtronics' customer service is awful. We are still responsible for bolusing for meals, so there is still a long way to go. As it currently stands most people's basal rates are steady, so once you set them you only have to change them on sick days or days when your physical activity is considerably higher or lower than normal.

This is the next step in the right direction, but it is not a miracle.

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. Thanks for that insight!

The mealtime caught me as well. I give them props for that price, but bolus delivery would have really been sharp.

I saw an article a few months ago that J&J was working on an implantable device (under the skin, not in the liver) that acts like live islet cells by monitoring, producing and secreting insulin. THAT will be interesting to watch!

[Massacure]

9. How do you like the Animas?

My dad, my brother, and I are all type 1 diabetics. My dad has a Minimed Revel insulin pump, but he found the Enlight CGM to be so fussy that uses the Dexcom G4 GCM even though it doesn't interface with the Revel. He's never complained about Medtronic's customer service though.

When I was diagnosed a year and a half ago, I knew right off the bat that I wanted a pump and I wanted one that interfaced with the G4. I ultimately went with the Tandem's T:Slim, but I was seriously considering the Animas Vibe.

[Dreamer Tatum]

4. they're gonna need about tree fiddy nt