The iLet Bionic Pancreas is the only insulin pump to require no carb counting, corrections, or calculating boluses. It simply uses your body weight to get started!
On May 22, 2023, the FDA approved Beta Bionics iLet ACE Pump and the iLet Dosing Decision Software making way for the sale of the newest insulin pump on the US market.
The Press Release
According to the Beta Bionics’ press release, “The iLet’s unique algorithms autonomously personalize insulin dosing for each person’s unique needs,” explained Dr. Steven Russell, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Beta Bionics. “This degree of automation relieves healthcare providers from the burden of reviewing blood glucose and CGM data in order to adjust pump settings, allowing them to spend more time discussing other needs. There are so many people with diabetes with stubbornly high A1c and low time in range, despite adjustments to their therapy. Data from the Pivotal Trial suggests the iLet could make a big difference for those people.”
The Founder
The iLet was the dream of Dr. Ed Damiano, PhD, and father of a child with type 1 diabetes. He wanted a much simpler system for his son to use. After many years of hard work and partnerships, the iLet Bionic Pancreas was born.
No carb counting required.
Never before have we seen an insulin pump with does not require the user to count their carb hydrates to bolus.
With the iLet Bionic Pancreas, however the user provides an estimate of the meal noting that it is “Usual for Me”, “More”, or “Less”.
As Medpage.com explains, the algorithm works with the Dexcom G6 to learn to respond to users’ individual insulin needs over time. This means that bolus insulin deliveries are not needed for meals.
No basal rates or correction boluses needed.
Just as the algorithms learn how much to bolus for your meals, through their communication with your Dexcom G6, they also are able to independently determine and command an increase, decrease, maintenance or suspension of all basal insulin doses.
It further uses this technology to determine and command correction doses as well.
According to Beta Bionics, the iLet learns your needs and automatically adjusts your basal rates on the go.
Who can use this system?
This system is currently only approved for use in the US for individuals with type 1 diabetes aged 6 years and up.
How well does it work?
According to a study published last September in the New England Journal of Medicine, users of the iLet Bionic Pancreas saw an average drop in HbA1c from 7.9% to 7.3% compared with a steady hold at 7.7% for the standard-of-care group over 13 weeks (mean adjusted difference -0.5%, 95% CI -0.6 to -0.3, P<0.001).
Those using the iLet spent on average 11% longer in target glucose range (70 to 180 mg/dL) versus the standard-of-care group, representing a 2.6-hour increase per day. They also spent significantly less time hyperglycemic (above 180 mg/dL) and severely hyperglycemic (above 250 mg/dL).
When is it available?
Watch the Beta Bionics’ website for updates on when this system will be available for purchase, cost, and insurance coverage.
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When will this be available in CANADA? I am a type 1 diabetic with complications and this would be of interest for me. I am currently on the Medtronic 780 pump and have been for about 15 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 21 and am currently 73…a very long time with type 1 diabetes…
I wish I knew when they were moving beyond the US. I would love to be able to access this as well! At the moment, they have stated that they are concentrating on the US market. They are a relatively small company, but I am hoping that they are able to keep up with growth and expand to a much larger market.
It is all about the senso. So long as the sensor works, it has a chance to work. If not, it will never work. I cannot wait to find out.