FDA has approved the first outpatient artificial pancreas trial in the United States, according to a news release from JDRF, a type 1 diabetes research organization that will fund the study.
The study will test an artificial pancreas system's ability to function outside of a hospital setting. Similar outpatient trials are currently being conducted in Europe.
The artificial pancreas is an external device under development that works by combining a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump with computer software that automatically provides the correct amount of insulin.
The development of an artificial pancreas is one of JDRF's top priorities. JDRF is supporting the Artificial Pancreas Consortium, an international research group that "aims to speed and optimize the process of linking continuous glucose sensors and insulin pumps," according to a description of the group.
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