Beta Bionics Launch Wearable Device to Control Blood-Sugar Levels

A pocket-sized, wearable investigational medical device, ‘iLet Bionic Pancreas System’ has been launched by Beta Bionics to autonomously control blood-sugar levels.

The device leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to deliver insulin and glucagon analogues for treating type 1 diabetes.

Unlike most closed-loop systems that use only insulin to normalize blood sugar levels, iLet has the ability to pump two hormones: insulin and glucagon.

Glucagon, the main hormone whose response is impaired in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), can help raise blood sugar levels when they become too low.

This dual-hormone approach may enable the device to achieve tighter blood sugar control while minimising low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia.

The device is intended for autonomous and continuous adaptation to individual patient's changing insulin needs.

Although the on-body wear is similar to that of an insulin pump, the iLet Bionic Pancreas System requires only the body weight of the user to initialise therapy.

As soon as the user enters their body weight, the device automatically starts controlling blood-sugar levels automatically, without requiring the user to count carbohydrates, set insulin delivery rates, or deliver bolus insulin for meals or corrections.

The device has been granted breakthrough designation and can be adjusted to work as an insulin-only, glucagon-only or bi-hormonal artificial pancreas, using both insulin and glucagon.