The holy grail for diabetic patients is an “artificial pancreas” that can take over the task of modulating the use of insulin in response to blood sugar levels. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and wearable insulin pumps are able to help patients keep within desired levels, but it takes intelligent software to “close the loop” between the two devices.
A new smartphone app has been released by researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK. The CamAPS FX app has been licensed for use by Type 1 diabetic patients, both adults and children. It only works with a Dana RS insulin pump and a Dexcom G6 CGM, and is only available for Android smartphones. At the initial commercial launch, the app is supported by a “small number” of diabetes clinics in the UK, but the developers hope that it will eventually be available through the National Health Service (NHS).
The app makes it easier for patients to manage their blood glucose levels, avoiding dangerous high or low levels. The system is not completely automated, but this is an important step towards a more comprehensive solution. This is another step towards helping patients with chronic illness manage their conditions through the support of wearable technology.
