Teens Take 'Artificial Pancreas' for a Test Run
From: Medical Design Technology - 05/04/2015

Last weekend a group of teenagers with Type 1 diabetes tested an "artificial
pancreas" in a real-world environment. Although Yale has been studying these
devices for the last decade, this was the first time one was tested in
pediatric patients here outside the hospital.

Five teen participants between the ages of 14 and 17 gathered at the Yale
Pediatric Specialty Clinic at 1 Long Wharf Dr. on Saturday May 2 at 11 am.
They used an "artificial pancreas," a system that automatically and
continuously monitors the body's sugar levels and delivers the right amount
of insulin over a four day period.

In the current study, the five teens slept at a New Haven hotel, took part in
activities that include hiking, playing laser tag, and climbing a rock wall,
and ate their meals together while being monitored by Yale medical staff.

Two earlier outpatient studies at Yale that tested the device in adults with
diabetes showed that they were able to achieve good glucose control. However,
such control is difficult for teenagers to attain. Teens tend to be less
careful in monitoring their blood sugar, and there are physiological
differences that make it more difficult for them to control it.

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http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/05/teens-take-artificial-pancreas-test-run