Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe PancreasHow AID WorksFDA-Approved AIDsManufacturersCostSide EffectsFuture AID SystemsDIY AID
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Pancreas
How AID Works
FDA-Approved AIDs
Manufacturers
Cost
Side Effects
Future AID Systems
DIY AID
An artificial pancreas can make a big difference in the day-to-day life of a person with type 1 diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several versions. They mimic the work that thepancreasdoes (automatically checking blood sugar levels and adjusting insulin doses accordingly).
Type 1 diabetesis an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels.
This article covers everything you need to know about an artificial pancreas, including how it works, which systems are available, costs, side effects, and future systems.
FREDERICK FLORIN / Staff / AFP / Getty Images
How the Pancreas Works
For example, when you eat foods containing carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels rise. In response, the pancreas sends insulin to help moveglucose(sugar) from the blood to different cells within the body (muscle, fat, or liver) to be stored or used as energy. This causes blood sugar levels to lower.
Pancreas Anatomy
Glucagon can also help make glucose from other sources in the body. Insulin and glucagon work together to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
In addition to producing hormones, the pancreas makes and secretes digestive enzymes.
How an Artificial Pancreas Works
An artificial pancreas, also known as an automated insulin-delivery (AID) system, hybrid closed-loop system, or bionic pancreas, is designed to mimic the work of a healthy pancreas to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high.
It automatically and frequently checks blood sugar levels day and night. Depending on the blood sugar level readings, the artificial pancreas system will adjust and deliver insulin doses via an insulin pump to bring blood sugar levels down and into a healthy range.
An artificial pancreas is made up of three devices:
What Automated Insulin Delivery Systems Are FDA-Approved?
The Food and Drug Administration supports the development of new medical devices while ensuring they are safe and effective. The FDA has been collaborating with researchers, diabetes patient groups, diabetes care providers, and medical device manufacturers to further the development of AID systems.
The FDA approved the first hybrid closed-loop system on September 28, 2016.Since then, several AID systems have received FDA approval. FDA-approved artificial pancreas systems include:
The FDA has also approved the Tidepool Loop in early 2023. It is an app used to automate insulin dosing.
Who’s Developing AID Systems?
Several manufacturers are developing AID systems with different features and options to accommodate individual needs. They work with a variety of insulin pumps and CGMs. Talk with your diabetes care team to see what AID system might be best for you.
Medtronic Diabetes
Tandem Diabetes Care
Tandem Diabetes Care offers its Control IQ technology, which automatically adjusts insulin levels based on Dexcom G6 CGM readings. The Control IQ technology is integrated into the tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump. It is approved for people with type 1 diabetes who are age 6 and older.
Omnipod 5 From Insulet Corp
How Much Does a Closed-Loop System Cost?
How much an artificial pancreas costs depends on insurance coverage and which closed-loop system you choose to purchase. Insurance might not cover all the costs of an AID system but may be able to significantly reduce the price. For example, some insurance companies will cover 80% of the cost, leaving you to pay 20%.
Aside from the initial cost of purchasing a closed-loop system, the person will need to pay for an insulin pump and CGM supplies on an ongoing basis.
An insulin pump costs about $6,000 without insurance.Depending on which CGM you choose, the cost may be as low as $40 per monthwith insurance.However, even with insurance, the yearly cost of supplies for an AID system may be between $3,000 to $6,000 per yearor more if you don’t have insurance.
Most manufacturers have cost calculators on their website to help determine the cost depending on your insurance plan or if you are cash pay. Some manufacturers also offer free trials, coupons, savings programs, or financial assistance to help keep the costs down.
Additionally, some AID system components arehealth savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)eligible.
Artificial Pancreas Side Effects
Use of an artificial pancreas is generally considered to be safe. Many users report successful and effective use of artificial pancreas systems to help in managing blood sugar levels. However, there is potential for some risks or side effects associated with use, including:
Many companies and manufacturers are working to develop new AID systems. With more and more companies putting efforts into the innovation and research of these devices, the future is full of potential for improved care and treatment options for people with diabetes.
Companies working to develop new AID systems include:
Do-It-Yourself AID Systems
Some technology-savvy people in the diabetes community with a good understanding of how to treat their type 1 diabetes have developed do-it-yourself (DIY) AID systems. They developed these DIY programs out of frustration for the slow pace of technology advancements in diabetes care and management.
These systems are open-source apps available for free that adjust insulin delivery for people with type 1 diabetes. While DIY AID systems have gained popularity over the years, some users have chosen to use one of the several commercial AID systems now available.
The DIY AID systems basically hack your insulin pump with the open-source app to make it communicate and work with your CGM device. They are often more customizable than commercial AID systems.
Tidepool Loop is an app that originated from a crowdsourced diabetes solution, expanding off the DIY AID system movement. It is FDA-approved and allows the user flexibility to use other diabetes devices of their choice.
It’s important to keep in mind that most DIY AID systems are not FDA-approved and do not have formal technical support. This may make it difficult for someone to set up or troubleshoot if glitches occur.
A 2023 study involving 77 adults with type 1 diabetes compared DIY AID systems to commercial AID systems. The researchers concluded that DIY AID systems were non-inferior to commercial AID systems in regards to blood sugar time in range.This means they performed about as well as the commercial AID systems.
If you are interested in using a DIY AID system, talk with your healthcare team before making any changes to your diabetes management plan.
Summary
An artificial pancreas is made up of three different devices: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a controller or computer program, and the insulin infusion pump. AID systems are generally safe and effective. However, side effects may include low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and red, irritated skin around the infusion patch.
Several FDA-approved AID systems are available, and many more companies are developing new AID systems. Some people use do-it-yourself AID systems using open-source apps.
The cost of using an AID system depends on the system you use and if you have insurance. The average initial cost will vary depending on insurance coverage, with a yearly cost between $3,000 to $6,000 for additional supplies. Do-it-yourself AID systems use open-source applications and are more customizable but are not FDA-approved and lack formal technical support.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Artificial pancreas.Food and Drug Administration.The artificial pancreas device system.Medtronic Diabetes.Comparing Medtronic insulin pump systems.Tandem Diabetes Care.Control IQ technology.Omnipod.Omnipod 5 FAQs about omnipod 5.McAdams BH, Rizvi AA.An overview of insulin pumps and glucose sensors for the generalist.J Clin Med. 2016;5(1):5. doi:10.3390/jcm5010005Abbott FreeStyle Libre.How much do the freestyle libre cgm systems cost?Dexcom.Dexcom savings center.Wu Z, Lebbar M, Bonhoure A, et al.274-or: do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery (Aid) systems are noninferior to commercial aid systems in glucose management among adults with type 1 diabetes.Diabetes. 2023;72(Supplement_1):274-OR. doi:10.2337/db23-274-OR
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Artificial pancreas.Food and Drug Administration.The artificial pancreas device system.Medtronic Diabetes.Comparing Medtronic insulin pump systems.Tandem Diabetes Care.Control IQ technology.Omnipod.Omnipod 5 FAQs about omnipod 5.McAdams BH, Rizvi AA.An overview of insulin pumps and glucose sensors for the generalist.J Clin Med. 2016;5(1):5. doi:10.3390/jcm5010005Abbott FreeStyle Libre.How much do the freestyle libre cgm systems cost?Dexcom.Dexcom savings center.Wu Z, Lebbar M, Bonhoure A, et al.274-or: do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery (Aid) systems are noninferior to commercial aid systems in glucose management among adults with type 1 diabetes.Diabetes. 2023;72(Supplement_1):274-OR. doi:10.2337/db23-274-OR
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Artificial pancreas.Food and Drug Administration.The artificial pancreas device system.Medtronic Diabetes.Comparing Medtronic insulin pump systems.Tandem Diabetes Care.Control IQ technology.Omnipod.Omnipod 5 FAQs about omnipod 5.McAdams BH, Rizvi AA.An overview of insulin pumps and glucose sensors for the generalist.J Clin Med. 2016;5(1):5. doi:10.3390/jcm5010005Abbott FreeStyle Libre.How much do the freestyle libre cgm systems cost?Dexcom.Dexcom savings center.Wu Z, Lebbar M, Bonhoure A, et al.274-or: do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery (Aid) systems are noninferior to commercial aid systems in glucose management among adults with type 1 diabetes.Diabetes. 2023;72(Supplement_1):274-OR. doi:10.2337/db23-274-OR
Endocrine Society.Pancreas hormones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Artificial pancreas.
Food and Drug Administration.The artificial pancreas device system.
Medtronic Diabetes.Comparing Medtronic insulin pump systems.
Tandem Diabetes Care.Control IQ technology.
Omnipod.Omnipod 5 FAQs about omnipod 5.
McAdams BH, Rizvi AA.An overview of insulin pumps and glucose sensors for the generalist.J Clin Med. 2016;5(1):5. doi:10.3390/jcm5010005
Abbott FreeStyle Libre.How much do the freestyle libre cgm systems cost?
Dexcom.Dexcom savings center.
Wu Z, Lebbar M, Bonhoure A, et al.274-or: do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery (Aid) systems are noninferior to commercial aid systems in glucose management among adults with type 1 diabetes.Diabetes. 2023;72(Supplement_1):274-OR. doi:10.2337/db23-274-OR
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
