Omnipod Horizon Hybrid Closed-loop System
Editor’s update: February 14, 2018, an additional study on the Omnipod Horizon was presented at the ATTD Congress, showing that its algorithm performed well in response to meal challenges and exercise in 24 adults with type 1 diabetes. Results also showed strong blood glucose control with time in target range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L70-180 mg/dL) of approximately 75% and 85% with real-life challenges including high-fat meals and moderate intensity exercise. Additional longer-term studies are currently happening to evaluate the Omnipod Horizon algorithm under “free-living” conditions in patients of all ages with type 1 diabetes. Also, starting July 1, 2018, Insulet will distribute its Omnipod Insulin Management System in Europe.
Insulet Corporation—the company that brought us the tubeless insulin pump, the OmniPod, released some exciting news a couple weeks ago which could drastically shift the future of type 1 diabetes management as we know it.
From the 10th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) in Paris, France, Insulet shared the results of their recent feasibility study. This study was the first human study to test the effectiveness of the Omnipod Horizon hybrid closed loop system. This new system contains an automated glucose control algorithm, and results showed that patients experienced excellent glucose control during the day with minimal hypoglycemia overnight and good fasting levels.
Over the course of 36 hours, 24 adult patients with type 1 diabetes tested the Omnipod Horizon system, which utilizes the new predictive algorithm feature, a slightly tailored version of the current Omnipod as well as a Dexcom sensor.
Dr. Trang Ly, Insulet’s VP of Medical who ran the trial took a moment to speak to Beyond Type 1 about the trial in greater detail.
“Each artificial pancreas algorithm is different with different mathematical formulas to determine glucose predictions and insulin delivery,” Dr. Ly explained. “Our algorithm and system is unique to Insulet and our first studies were primarily designed to prove safety, making sure we could deliver insulin without causing hypoglycemia. We were able to show a 10-fold reduction in hypoglycemia. Patients who used the system went from experiencing an average of 78 minutes < 3.9 mmol/L70 mg/dL per day at home to only 7 minutes < 3.9 mmol/L70 mg/dL whilst using the system. The system worked extremely well overnight and our patients woke up with an average glucose of 7.6 mmol/L137 mg/dL.”
Participants in the study experienced target glucose control ranges 69 percent of the time throughout the entirety of the study, and 90 percent of the time in the overnight period.
“These first results are incredibly exciting!” Dr. Ly said. “We now need to obtain more data to see how well the system works in the real world with exercise and high fat meals,” she added, speaking about the next steps of the trial.
“These initial studies were only tested in adults and we need to make sure they work well in adolescents as well as children. Again, safety is our number one priority and we want better insulin delivery—safe and effective—for our community,” Dr. Ly emphasized. “A good algorithm will correct high blood glucose levels and keep you in range as much as possible. A great system will be simple to use and easy to wear. We want to make life with diabetes better and easier. We are working hard on our commercial device which will allow the artificial pancreas algorithm to be located directly on the pod itself. The Dexcom sensor will send the glucose signal directly to the pod and the algorithm inside the pod will determine insulin delivery. This means that our users will have a true on-body closed-loop system. We’re excited about developing better products to give our users freedom and allows them to worry less about their diabetes.”
