The soon-to-launch diabetes products have made this period quite exciting especially in diabetes history. Progress is happening faster that we had anticipated. This new slew of products will make living with diabetes less of a hassle by improving glucose outcomes with fewer fingersticks and injections, less data overload, less math less worry and less pain.

 Most emerging diabetes technology shows great potential in improving the quality of life for people with diabetes. We were astonished in September, 2016 when the FDA approved the world’s first sensor/pump system that doses insulin on its own. This new system known as Medtronic Diabetes’ MiniMed 670G has paved the path for new diabetes technology and many similar products. Most emerging diabetes technology and devices show great potential especially in improving glucose outcomes that really matter, among them hyperglycemia, time-in-range, A1c and hypoglycemia.

Therefore, we highly anticipate that this year will bring a number of milestone devices such as the OneTouch Via and the Medtronic MiniMed 670G system. Let’s explore some of the most exciting devices and tech expected to be available to the public in 2017:

1. Abbott’s Freestyle Libre and Freestyle Libre Pro

The novel FreeStyle Libre FGM (Flash Glucose Monitoring) technology is expected to hit the United States market in 2017. The real-time version is already available in Europe and the Pro (blinded) version of the 14-day glucose sensor that doesn’t require any fingersticks is expected to come to the United States imminently. Once inserted, the sensor measures glucose levels every 15 minutes without the need for patient interaction or the need to do fingerpricks manually in order to calibrate the device. This will enable doctors to better understand blood sugar patterns. Abbott Freestyle Libre combines non-invasive technology with existing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and fingerstick testing.

Freestyle Libre also uses a sensor but it comes with a small hand held device to view trends and data in real time. Therefore, the system consists of a round white sensor that can be conveniently worn on the skin and a small receiver which is waved over the sensor in order to wirelessly pick up blood glucose readings.

This eliminates the need for test strips which can be very expensive. The Professional Version of Abbot Freestyle version received FDA clearance for doctor’s offices in 2016. The patient’s community is also quite psyched up because the

2. Dexcom Touchscreen Receiver with Android capability

In a bid to improve the G5 CGM experience, Dexcom has submitted a handful of new exciting tools to the FDA for approval. These tools include:

• Reduced-size G5 transmitter: The new transmitter will be smaller and more compact than the current version.
• Touchscreen receiver: This is an upgraded version of what Dexcom is currently offering. The new Dexcom receiver will improve on speaker and durability issues.
• One button insertion device: The prototype images available show that the new one-button insertion device resembles the Medtronic Enlite Sensor Inserter and it can also be operated with just one hand.
• Next Generation G6 sensor: The G6 might be launched in late 2017. This will be a significant step forward in continuous glucose monitoring technology with 10 days of comfortable wear instead of 7 and one day calibration instead of the current two. Next Generation G6 Sensor will also have improved reliability and accuracy. We are quite optimistic given how fast the FDA has approved D-tech especially in recent years.

With the new Dexcom Touchscreen Receiver, android users will be able to view and analyze their CGm data on their phones via an Android app.

3. Medtronic’s MiniMed 670G

This revolutionary insulin pump uses a hybrid closed loop system to obtain data from CGM in order to tweak the basal rates via the pump. Although the system is not fully automated, it eases the burden associated with the care and management of diabetes by reducing the frequency of low and high blood sugar events. Minimed 670G received FDA approval in September 2016. It features BD FlowSmart technology which comes with a new side opening to the system’s catheter in order for insulin to flow better.

The two openings help prevent insulin flow interruptions and silent occlusions, which cause high blood glucose but usually go unnoticed. It also comes with key changes including a smaller insertion needle, a multi-position connector for connecting the on-body set to the tubing and a sliding needle that prevents accidental needlesticks.

This first-of-a-kind system adjusts insulin delivery according to CGM values in order to keep the patient as close as possible to the set target (120 mg/dl). Minimed 670G has a color screen and vertical design.

4. Tandem’s t:slim X2 Insulin Pump

This is a new insulin pump that resembles the t:slim. However it comes with a manufacturing change, a new two way Bluetooth radio and it’s also capable of remote online updates. Therefore, users will be able to add the new Dexcom G5 integration once the FDA approves it. Once Tandem’s automated insulin delivery algorithms get approval, they will also be added to t:slim X2 pump without paying an upgrade fee or waiting for years for a new system.

The Bluetooth radio enables the device to talk to multiple external devices, for example, a smartphone app and G5 CGM transmitter. The system also includes the predictive low blood sugar capacity which enables users to update their devices in order to allow that functionality.

5. One Touch Via

LifeScan’s One Touch Via is a super slim, bolus only wearable device that holds up to 200 units of insulin. The device can be worn for 3 days and by simply squeezing two buttons you’ll discreetly deliver a 2-unit bolus. This on-demand insulin delivery system allows type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients to deliver meal time dosages of insulin anywhere, anytime. Reports indicate that it’s a water-resistant patch that allows you to take 2-unit boluses of fast acting insulin without the need for separate controller units. Expect to see LifeScan’s One Touch via by end-year.

There’s a lot more happening for the diabetes community in 2017 especially on the research and advocacy side when it comes to critical issues like affordability and access. We are fully committed to keeping you posted.

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