Diabetes Technology on Display at ADA 2024
Key takeaways:
Makers of AID systems presented study results that showed the devices assist time in range, average blood sugar levels, and reduced spikes and hypoglycemia.
Dexcom’s new CGM for people with type 2 requires no prescription and will be available in August.
New yet-to-be released pumps were shown with planned AID features.
As scientists, advocates, healthcare professionals, and others gathered in Orlando for the 2024 ADA conference, so did makers of diabetes tech who showed off in-progress technology as well as new data on the benefits of the currently available systems.
Read on for a brief, non-exhaustive sample of automated insulin delivery (AID) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology on display at the conference.
Pump/CGM sensor in one
Swiss technology maker Pharmasens demonstrated a new semi-reusable tubeless patch pump and glucose sensor in the same compact device, called the niia signature, which the company says can be worn for five days.
The top of the device, which includes Bluetooth connectivity and the electronic and mechanical parts to control the pump, separates from the disposable 300-unit reservoir along with the adhesive used to attach the device to the body via a steel cannula. A small button on the device allows manual bolusing. The company says an AID system will manage the device, controlled by smartphone.
PharmaSens' simpler basal-bolus patch pump, the niia essential, was submitted for FDA approval in late December. Availability of the niia signature AID system has yet to be announced.
Dexcom Stelo: No prescription required
Dexcom displayed its new over-the-counter CGM, Stelo, and announced the device will be available without a prescription in August. The Stelo is intended for use by people with type 2 diabetes who don’t take insulin.
The CGM is designed to be worn on the back of the arm, though people with diabetes tend to get creative with placement, for up to 15 days and the readings are displayed directly using a smartphone app.
A spokesman said pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.
Tidepool enters the room
Tidepool, known for its website and app used for tracking blood sugar, meal and treatment data from multiple devices, demonstrated a simulator of its AID system Tidepool Loop. The software runs on an iPhone, and the company announced a new pump partnership with Sequel Med Tech for the twiist AID system powered by Tidepool.
Tidepool Loop is FDA-cleared software that grew out of the DIY, open-source online community (the free DIY – and not FDA regulated – open-source version is currently available for use on current iPhones, but the tool requires a comparably steep learning curve compared to commercial systems).
The Tidepool Loop system allows the user to set a target range that’s wider than other AID systems, letting a user choose from 87-180 mg/dL, which can be useful for providing a bit of extra runway for meals on the lower end, and restricting insulin delivery after experiencing low blood sugar or during exercise, for example. The twiist pump can hold up to 300 units of insulin.
No pricing or timeline for availability has yet been shared.
Study results from Tandem, Medtronic, and Insulet
At the ADA conference, makers of the currently available commercial AID systems presented data showing that patients who used the systems saw improved blood sugar control, including fewer spikes, hypoglycemic events, and interruptions during sleep.
Tandem highlighted its small Mobi pump, citing a recent study conducted by the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado, which showed time in range improved without an increase in time below range, using the Control-IQ automated delivery system.
The device integrates with an iPhone (its t:slim X2 tubed pump works on both iOS and Android phones) and Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 sensors.
Medtronic offered data showing that its MiniMed 780G AID system reduced sleep interruptions and improved time in range during sleep.
The system’s ability to deliver small boluses every 5 minutes, the company said, also helped reduce the dawn phenomenon rate from about 12.2% to 4.5% and slightly increased the time in range from 12-6 a.m. The dawn phenomenon typically occurs around 4-8 a.m.
Insulet presented a study at the ADA showing its Omnipod 5 system could benefit people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin. Participants who were previously using injections or pump therapy saw improvement in A1C, reduced blood sugar spikes, and hypoglycemia, the company said. As well, time in range improved by 20% and overall insulin use was reduced by about 23 units a day.
Photo credits: iStock (top); Dexcom (Stelo); Sequel Med Tech (twiist); Tandem (Mobi); Medtronic (MiniMed 780G); Insulet (Omnipod 5).