Managing Type II diabetes is a life-saving ongoing chore. Most newly diagnosed patients start by learning to administer shots of insulin based on blood glucose level readings obtained by using a meter that reads a test strip with a blood sample from a finger prick. Some people wish for a system that is simpler and easier. Closed-loop artificial pancreas systems such as the Medtronic iPro2 that monitor blood sugar and administer insulin automatically as needed are still in early stages of market and medical acceptance. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps use varying technologies to offer diabetics intermediate steps between finger-stick blood testing used with self-administered shots of insulin with needles and closed loop systems.
Valeritas, Inc.’s V-Go wearable insulin delivery device provides patients with a continuous basal insulin dosage for 24 hours and bolus insulin doses as needed at meal or snack times. A new V-Go patch-style device is used each day, stuck to a flat part of the body within easy reach for bolus doses. The user fills the device with fast-acting insulin for the continuous (basal) flow and for bolus doses. To administer bolus doses (2 units of insulin each) the user pushes one button to fill the bolus compartment and a second button to administer the dose. Patients work with their own healthcare professional to determine the basal and bolus doses and a Valeritas Partner who provides helps with training and support for the V-Go system.
The V-Go continuous insulin pump doesn’t address or replace the need for blood glucose monitoring. V-Go provides an easy-to-use, discrete way to have continuous basal insulin feed with the ability to administer additional doses as needed using the same device.
