Nearly 900 patients in England with Type 1 diabetes have been given a hybrid closed-loop system (HCL) artificial pancreas in a pilot study to test the effectiveness of the technology.
An HCL continually monitors blood glucose and automatically adjusts the amount of insulin that is given through a pump. The trial is being run in the England by the National Health Service (NHS) to see how effective the system is at monitoring and delivering medication for people with diabetes.
CAPTION: Image: JDRF UK
According to the NHS, the technology can eliminate finger prick tests and prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia attacks, which can lead to seizures, coma or even death for people living with the condition.
CAPTION: Professor Partha Kar OBE
Professor Partha Kar OBE, NHS national speciality advisor for diabetes, said “It is not very far away from the holy grail of a fully automated system, where people with type 1 diabetes can get on with their lives without worrying about glucose levels or medication.”
The diabetes centres participating in the pilot study will submit data via the NHS’s National Diabetes Audit, and the results will feed into the evidence assessment undertaken by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE will make a recommendation about wider adoption within the NHS following a review of the evidence.