The critical path from pump to pancreas: the impact of FDA regulation on the development of a closed-loop diabetes management system

Abstract

Breakthrough medical tools and technologies are rapidly becoming available in countries across the world, but cannot be purchased in the United States, where these innovative products still await FDA approval. The artificial pancreas is a prime example of such medical technologies, as one of these device systems has been available in over 40 countries outside of the United States for more than 3 years. The term "artificial pancreas" refers to any one of a group of closed-loop device systems designed to protect type 1 diabetics against dangerous diabetes episodes, while also reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications by enabling tighter glycemic control. The following paper will provide an overview of diabetes, a brief history of diabetes management, the technological challenges of creating a fully functional closed-loop diabetes management system, and the role of FDA in the development of the artificial pancreas.