The goals being touted in the treatment of diabetes are lofty, with the development of a functional and affordable artificial pancreas topping the list of ambitious device industry undertakings. The pursuit of such a device has been ongoing for some time now, and over the years the feasibility of developing a man-made mechanism to take the place of a faulty body organ has been treated with a share of optimism and skepticism. However, based on recent FDA approvals for multiple manufacturers, it appears the industry is closer than it has ever been to making this goal a reality.
An artificial pancreas is essentially a device that could not only sense when a diabetic needed insulin, but also could automatically release the appropriate amount of the hormone into the...