Medtronic has launched its latest "artificial pancreas" system in the United States, kicking off sales of the first medical device capable of automatically delivering insulin to patients when they need it.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared the company's MiniMed 670G product for use in Type 1 diabetes patients age 14 and older last year.
EnlargeMiniMed 670G monitors patients’ glucose levels through a sensor, and starts or stops… moreMEDTRONIC
The system includes a sensor that monitors glucose levels in fluid under the skin. Based on data collected by the sensor, the device adjusts insulin delivery every five minutes.
"We've essentially designed a smarter insulin pump that alleviates some of the burden associated with diabetes management, which can be unrelenting and exhausting," said Alejandro Galindo, president of the intensive insulin management division within Medtronic's diabetes group, in a statement.
Medtronic has worked for years to develop a device capable of fully managing insulin delivery in diabetes patients. The company made a big step toward that goal in 2013, with FDA approval of its MiniMed 530G product. That device could stop delivering insulin when blood-sugar levels fell dangerously low, but couldn't automatically deliver insulin to prevent blood-sugar spikes.
Medtronic's latest product hasn't reached the point of full automation. Patients must manually manage insulin during meals based on what they eat, for instance.
The product has been widely anticipated by patients, resulting in slowed demand for older Medtronic devices.
Medtronic began a limited "customer training phase" launch of MiniMed 670G earlier this year. A study following those patients found that device users' blood glucose levels stayed within a target range about 74 percent of the time.
Dublin-based Medtronic's operational headquarters are in Fridley.