One diabetes expert talked about the device.
"Overnight control is the most difficult and worrisome part of diabetes management," explained Aaron Kowalski, vice president for treatment therapies at JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), based in New York City.
"It's amazing how effective the artificial pancreas is at reducing low blood sugar levels without having to wake up a child and make them eat something, which disturbs their sleep, adds calories to their day and leaves sugar on their teeth overnight," Kowalski said.
The artificial pancreas also maintained blood sugar levels at an average of about 126 mg/dL compared to 140 mg/dL for the standard treatment. The goal of insulin treatment is to maintain blood sugar levels as low as possible without dropping below 70 mg/dL, so the artificial pancreas offered more effective treatment.
Phillip said his group is now testing the artificial pancreas in people's homes.
JDRF's Kowalski said outpatient trials of different artificial pancreas systems are going on in the United States as well.
More information
For more about the artificial pancreas system, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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