Artificial Pancreas Approved by FDA

[walkerwally1]

I know that it has been expected for some time but according to this article :
http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/the-fda-just-approved-the-first-artificial-pancreas/ar-BBwJUu2?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=u220dhp

The first artificial pancreas has been approved by the FDA.  This could be very big news for type 1 diabetics, only you have to wonder about cost and if insurance and Medicare will approve paying for it. 
I know that Medtronics makes CGM devices and I also have a Medtronic artificial heart valve. 

[skb]

This is only pumping insulin. The Bionic Pancreas on the other hand has a reservoir for glucagon as well. It will pump both as and when required, in the quantity required.

[walkerwally1]

Yes, and that is supposedly hoping for approval by late 2017.  While it may prove to be a better device, I expect cost may be a deciding factor.  At any rate some interesting developments for type 1 diabetics.

[rocky]

The Bionic Pancreas on the other hand has a reservoir for glucagon as well. It will pump both as and when required, in the quantity required.

Can someone explain that a little more please, for us ignorant people 

[starsign]

The Bionic Pancreas on the other hand has a reservoir for glucagon as well. It will pump both as and when required, in the quantity required.

Can someone explain that a little more please, for us ignorant people 

I second that. Would love to know more about this.

[skb]

That is something not very easy to explain, but I'll try.

The pancreas consists of hormone secreting cells in an area known as the islets of Langerhans. It was Dr. Paul Langerhans who discovered them, hence the name. The insulin secreting cells are known as the beta cells & the glucagon secreting cells are known as the alpha cells. There are other secretions as well, but we won't go into that here. Insulin / Glucagon are counter hormones that have independent actions that control our metabolism and try to keep our body in homeostasis (internal balance).

When blood sugar rises (typically after a meal) the Insulin is released & glucagon release is restricted. Conversely when blood sugar levels drop (beyond a level) insulin secretion is restricted & glucagon is released. This see-saw action of converse secretion has its logic in the actions of these hormones.

Insulin is responsible for glucose uptake by the muscle cells for energy & also it's storage as glycogen in the liver. Furthermore, it converts free fatty acids into triglycerides & stores them in adipose tissue (fat storage / weight gain). It also stops proteins (amino acids) from being converted into glucose via a process known as gluconeogenesis. Along with leptin it also signals the brain & reduces hunger.

On the other hand glucagon does some of the above in reverse. It stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose for basal energy requirements. It reconverts TGs to FFAs in adipose tissue for energy use, and also encourages protein conversion into glucose.

Basically these are the function controlling hormones in the fed v/s the hungry state. So having a small gadget not only inject insulin but also glucagon would replicate the pancreatic function to a large extent rather than just injecting insulin to control the blood sugar.   

[rocky]

Thanks man. I will take some time to absorb that and then respond. The pancreas controls a lot of the body mechanisms. I didn't realise how important an organ it was.