FDA approves Medtronic "artificial pancreas"

[Dragan1]

@Allen3

Can you post a link for info on building a loop system? I have a 511 and a ping, not sure those are new enough.

Unfortunately, 511 is too old, and there are severe limitations with ping. A list of DIY (OpenAPS and Loop) AP compatible pumps can be found here.

[Sam19]

@Terry4

I’m amazed at how small the amount of glucose is in an average size person when their blood glucose is at 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). If a person has 5 liters of blood with 100 mg/dL of glucose, then that means there are 100 x 50 d/L or 5 grams of glucose. That’s equals 1.25 four-gram glucose tablets.

Yeah but it’s easy to lose sight of the reality that it’s only a snapshot in time-- whereas in actuality it is continuously being consumed by every cell in the body and continuously being created

[Terry4]

@Sam19

whereas in actuality it is continuously being consumed by every cell in the body and continuously being created

You’re right. That 5 grams of glucose is like the immediate go-to fuel tank that we can access right now. And it is a constantly circulating flow. It’s such a finely tuned system.

When I think about mixing up 5 grams of glucose into 5 liters of water, I’m thinking I wouldn’t even be able to taste that sweetness. It’s a very weak solution.

[Sam19]

But those 5 grams are transient… think of it flowing in one side and out the other and 5 grams just happens to be floating around aimlessly at all times… that’s how I picture it anyway

[Terry4]

@Sam19

But those 5 grams are transient

I get that. It makes the normal function an exquisite balancing act.

[Sally7]

My little 2 cents worth here. I also don’t think AP is the right word for this pump but we are getting close. I think the whole factor here and something we should all be very excited about. The FDA approved dosing off a CGM for dosing insulin with a pump. This means that Medicare CGM approval may not be far off. It also means all those other companies that have pumps the are closed looped and some with insulin/glucagon could be approved faster. I have heard that the Beta Bonic group will probably be ready to go next year but it might not have the glucagon component to start but will have the chamber for it when it gets approval and they figure out how to make it last for more than one day.
So while I don’t think I will be getting one of these new Medtronic I am thrilled that the FDA is finally moving on this CGM issue. I am holding out for the Beta Bonic system. That is the one out of the Boston area and Ed Damiano has been working on it for awhile. You know the dream I have about not having to think about anything any longer and freeing up all the brain power for other things (new language or musical instrument). The one where all you have to do is put in your weight and it learns what your normal meals need or huge meal would need. Can’t wait!