Type 1 diabetes could now have a revolutionary treatment. FDA has already approved Medtronic's (NYSE:MDT) "artificial pancreas," wherein its approval came earlier than expected.
What followed the approval was Medtronic plans to begin selling the system to type 1 diabetes patients within the next spring. This device called "Medtronic's MiniMed 670G" can notably decrease the patient's next glycemic control.
A post from The Fool featured the transcript of the podcast. In the latest podcast of The Motley Fool's Industry Focus: Healthcare, Analyst Kristine Harjes and contributor Todd Campbell have discussed how this system works, what is its cost, and its potential effect into the disease.
Harjes and Campbell have also talked about a current study which shows the effect of medical marijuana in having seniors remain in the workforce longer. They have also talked about updating investors for the efforts of the legalization of Marijuana.
Campbell said that the Medtronic is what diabetics have been looking for more than a decade. He said that this system can naturally or automatically evaluate a patient's blood sugar, thus, delivering the necessary amount of insulin to a patient. He also emphasized that this device are for those who experience early onset of diabetes. These patients have pancreas that stops producing insulin at an early age, thus, they face the burden of constantly checking their blood sugar levels, and in turn taking insulin whenever necessary.
This disease is life-shortening if left untreated. Comorbidities such as heart disease can pose a serious threat to these patients. The system received an approval from FDA after being tested on 123 patients. There were no reports on complications, News Today revealed.
Around 73.4 percent of the patients' desired range was kept, as compared to the 67.8 percent who were not using the system. The hybrid closed system has a sensor and infusion device that can communicate with each other. So, the insulin could be continuously pumped in day and night, whenever it is needed.
