Type 1 Diabetes Glucose Monitoring What Is an Artificial Pancreas Delivery System? Also known as a closed loop system By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 22, 2021 Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD LinkedIn Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues and general endocrinology. She currently has a private practice in Lafayette, CA. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Functions of the Pancreas Artificial Pancreas Device System Who Can Get an Artificial Pancreas An artificial pancreas is a medical device that is used to better control blood sugars in individuals with diabetes. It is called an artificial pancreas because it mimics some of the functions of a healthy pancreas. It is also called a closed-loop system, an automated insulin delivery system, or an autonomous system for glycemic control. Getty Images / Mark Hatfield Functions of the Pancreas Your pancreas is located in your abdomen near your stomach and liver, and it has an elongated shape. It is an organ and a gland. It functions to produce and release the vital hormones insulin and glucagon, which play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system and the digestive system. In addition to producing insulin and glucagon, the pancreas produces and releases digestive enzymes. While insulin is released into the bloodstream, the digestive enzymes of the pancreas are released into the pancreatic duct. They eventually reach the small bowel, where they help to break down the food we eat. The islets of Langerhans are the cells within the pancreas that create and secrete insulin and glucagon, while Acinar cells within the pancreas create and secrete digestive enzymes. Diabetes and the Pancreas Diabetes can occur for one of two reasons: The pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar Insulin resistance Diabetes due to a lack of insulin is described as type 1 diabetes. and it is more common among children or younger people who are not overweight. It is thought to be caused by an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack and destroy the islets of Langerhans, which are the specialized cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is also possible that some people are simply not born with enough of these cells to keep up with insulin production. Insulin resistance is when the body is making insulin, but the cells do not respond to it or use it the way that should. This type of diabetes often tends to occur in older people and people who are overweight, and it is called type 2 diabetes. The Artificial Pancreas Device System The artificial pancreas is a device that mimics some (but not all) of the functions of the pancreas and is typically used to treat Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is managed by frequently checking your blood sugar levels, and then taking insulin when your blood sugar level is too high or taking glucose when your levels are too low. The artificial pancreas consists of several devices which perform these functions automatically. The artificial pancreas that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 is called the MiniMed 670G. It is not considered a "fully automatic" artificial pancreas because some input is still required by the person wearing the device. For example, you may have to input the amount of carbohydrates that you consume during a meal and still check your blood sugar to calibrate the device. Current research is underway to develop a fully automatic pancreas. There are three types of devices contained within the artificial pancreas:A continuous glucose monitoring systemA computer-controlled algorithm deviceAn insulin infusion device Continuous Glucose Monitoring System This device continuously and automatically monitors your blood sugar and sends the information to the computer-controlled algorithm device. The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system eliminates the need to prick your finger and manually test your blood sugar multiple times throughout the day. It is a sensor that is inserted just below your skin (subcutaneously). The MiniMed 670G checks your blood sugar every five minutes. You may still have to periodically check your blood sugar in order to calibrate your CGM system. For people who already need to check their blood sugar many times throughout the day, the CGM can be life-changing. The device can also detect increasing or decreasing blood sugar levels and alert you before your blood sugar reaches a critical level. Computer Controlled Algorithm Device This can be a smartphone, home computer, or another type of computer that functions to communicate between the continuous glucose monitoring system and the insulin infusion device. It performs complex mathematical equations and tells the insulin pump how much insulin you need based on the results. Insulin Infusion Device The insulin infusion device can deliver insulin subcutaneously and eliminates the need for multiple insulin shots throughout the day. Insulin pumps are also available separately (not as part of an artificial pancreas), but you usually have to manually input the dose. The MiniMed 670G/770G and Tandem Control IQ are capable of automatically decreasing your insulin dose if your CGM detects low blood sugar or increasing it when your blood sugar is high. It has a manual mode and an auto mode and it will do this in either mode. The manual mode allows you to program the insulin pump to deliver a specific basal dose of insulin. In auto mode, the MiniMed 670G/770G or Tandem Control IQ will adjust the basal rate of insulin according to the results coming from the CGM. Who Can Get an Artificial Pancreas Currently, the only artificial pancreas devices approved by the FDA are the MiniMed 670G/770G and Tandem Control IQ. In the future, other more advanced and "fully automated" devices may be approved and may have different benefits from their use. The MiniMed 670G/770G and the tandem control with Control-IQ are currently approved for people with Type 1 diabetes over the age of 14. It should not be used in people under the age of 7. The effectiveness of its use in people ages 7 to 14 is currently being studied. You must have a prescription to get an artificial pancreas, and you will need to maintain close contact with your physician. You also need to be willing to check your blood sugar periodically to calibrate the CGM and carry a medical identification card with you. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What is the pancreas? What is an artificial pancreas device system? Additional Reading U.S. FDA Approves “Artificial Pancreas” for Diabetes Treatment. Scientific American. John Hopkins Medicine. Pancreas Function. (n.d.) Rettner R. The 5 "New" Types of Diabetes Explained. LiveScience. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The 670G System - P160017. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What is the pancreas? What is an artificial pancreas device system? By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit