Dassau, Eyal

The development of automated insulin delivery systems has seen tremendous improvements from individual components to interoperable system combinations of devices and new drugs besides insulin. The components have become progressively smaller, more accurate, and more user friendly. This article summarizes the history of the artificial pancreas from the earliest concepts to fully functional systems to research into further improvements in the future. The authors include many of the developers of this technology who received research support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at various stages to develop these systems.

The development of automated insulin delivery systems has seen tremendous improvements from individual components to interoperable system combinations of devices and new drugs besides insulin. The components have become progressively smaller, more accurate, and more user friendly. This article summarizes the history of the artificial pancreas from the earliest concepts to fully functional systems to research into further improvements in the future. The authors include many of the developers of this technology who received research support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at various stages to develop these systems.

Abstract Background Customized and standard automated insulin delivery (AID) systems for use in pregnancies of women with preexisting type 1 diabetes (T1D) are being developed and tested to achieve pregnancy appropriate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) targets. Guidance on the use of CGM for treatment decisions during pregnancy in the United States is limited. Methods Ten pregnant women with preexisting T1D participated in a trial evaluating at-home use of a pregnancy-specific AID system. Seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was compared to the closest sensor glucose (Dexcom G6 CGM) value biweekly to assess safety and reliability based on the 20%/20 mg/dL criteria. Results All participants completed the study with 7 participants satisfying the safety and reliability criteria with a mean absolute relative difference of 10.3%. Three participants did not fulfill the criteria, mainly because the frequency of SMBG did not meet the requirements. Conclusion Dexcom G6 CGM is safe and accurate in the real-world setting for use in pregnant women with preexisting T1D with reduced SMBG testing as part of a pregnancy-specific AID system.

OBJECTIVE There are no commercially available hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery systems customized to achieve pregnancy-specific glucose targets in the U.S. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and performance of at-home use of a zone model predictive controller–based closed-loop insulin delivery system customized for pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes (CLC-P). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps were enrolled in the second or early third trimester. After study sensor wear collecting run-in data on personal pump therapy and 2 days of supervised training, participants used CLC-P targeting 80–110 mg/dL during the day and 80–100 mg/dL overnight running on an unlocked smartphone at home. Meals and activities were unrestricted throughout the trial. The primary outcome was the continuous glucose monitoring percentage of time in the target range 63–140 mg/dL versus run-in. RESULTS Ten participants (HbA1c 5.8 ± 0.6%) used the system from mean gestational age of 23.7 ± 3.5 weeks. Mean percentage time in range increased 14.1 percentage points, equivalent to 3.4 h per day, compared with run-in (run-in 64.5 ± 16.3% versus CLC-P 78.6 ± 9.2%; P = 0.002). During CLC-P use, there was significant decrease in both time over 140 mg/dL (P = 0.033) and the hypoglycemic ranges of less than 63 mg/dL and 54 mg/dL (P = 0.037 for both). Nine participants exceeded consensus goals of above 70% time in range during CLC-P use. CONCLUSIONS The results show that the extended use of CLC-P at home until delivery is feasible. Larger, randomized studies are needed to further evaluate system efficacy and pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have proven effective in increasing time-in-range during both clinical trials and real-world use. Further improvements in outcomes for single-hormone (insulin only) AID may be limited by suboptimal insulin delivery settings. Methods: Adults (≥18 years of age) with type 1 diabetes were randomized to either sensor-augmented pump (SAP) (inclusive of predictive low-glucose suspend) or adaptive zone model predictive control AID for 13 weeks, then crossed over to the other arm. Each week, the AID insulin delivery settings were sequentially and automatically updated by an adaptation system running on the study phone. Primary outcome was sensor glucose time-in-range 70–180 mg/dL, with noninferiority in percent time below 54 mg/dL as a hierarchical outcome. Results: Thirty-five participants completed the trial (mean age 39 ± 16 years, HbA1c at enrollment 6.9% ± 1.0%). Mean time-in-range 70–180 mg/dL was 66% with SAP versus 69% with AID (mean adjusted difference +2% [95% confidence interval: −1% to +6%], P = 0.22). Median time <70 mg/dL improved from 3.0% with SAP to 1.6% with AID (−1.5% [−2.4% to −0.5%], P = 0.002). The adaptation system decreased initial basal rates by a median of 4% (−8%, 16%) and increased initial carbohydrate ratios by a median of 45% (32%, 59%) after 13 weeks. Conclusions: Automated adaptation of insulin delivery settings with AID use did not significantly improve time-in-range in this very well-controlled population. Additional study and further refinement of the adaptation system are needed, especially in populations with differing degrees of baseline glycemic control, who may show larger benefits from adaptation.

Background: Pregnancies in type 1 diabetes are high risk, and data in the United States are limited regarding continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-based hypoglycemia throughout pregnancy while on sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes in the LOIS-P Study (Longitudinal Observation of Insulin use and glucose Sensor metrics in Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps) were enrolled before 17 weeks gestation at three U.S. centers and we used their personal insulin pump and a study Dexcom G6 CGM. We analyzed data of 25 pregnant women for CGM hypoglycemia based on international consensus guidelines for percentage time <63 and 54 mg/dL, hypoglycemic events and prolonged hypoglycemia events for 24-h, daytime, and overnight periods, and severe hypoglycemia (SH) episodes. Results: For a 24-h period, biweekly median percentage of time <63 mg/dL ranged from 0.8% at biweek 4–5 to 3.7% at biweek 14–15 with high variability throughout pregnancy. Median percentage of time <63 and 54 mg/dL was higher overnight than daytime ( P < 0.01). Hypoglycemic events occurred throughout the pregnancy, ranged 1–4 events per 2 weeks, significantly decreased after the 20th week, and occurred predominantly during daytime ( P < 0.01). For overnight period, hypoglycemia and events were more concentrated from 12 to 3 am. Seven prolonged hypoglycemia events without any associated SH occurred in four participants (16%), primarily overnight. Three participants experienced a single episode of SH. Conclusions: Our results suggest a higher overall risk of hypoglycemia throughout pregnancy during the overnight period with continued daytime risk of hypoglycemic events in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes.

Objective: Evaluating the feasibility of closed-loop insulin delivery with a zone model predictive control (zone-MPC) algorithm designed for pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes (T1D). Research Design and Methods: Pregnant women with T1D from 14 to 32 weeks gestation already using continuous glucose monitor (CGM) augmented pump therapy were enrolled in a 2-day multicenter supervised outpatient study evaluating pregnancy-specific zone-MPC based closed-loop control (CLC) with the interoperable artificial pancreas system (iAPS) running on an unlocked smartphone. Meals and activities were unrestricted. The primary outcome was the CGM percentage of time between 63 and 140 mg/dL compared with participants' 1-week run-in period. Early (2-h) postprandial glucose control was also evaluated. Results: Eleven participants completed the study (age: 30.6 ± 4.1 years; gestational age: 20.7 ± 3.5 weeks; weight: 76.5 ± 15.3 kg; hemoglobin A1c: 5.6% ± 0.5% at enrollment). No serious adverse events occurred. Compared with the 1-week run-in, there was an increased percentage of time in 63–140 mg/dL during supervised CLC (CLC: 81.5%, run-in: 64%, P = 0.007) with less time >140 mg/dL (CLC: 16.5%, run-in: 30.8%, P = 0.029) and time <63 mg/dL (CLC: 2.0%, run-in:5.2%, P = 0.039). There was also less time <54 mg/dL (CLC: 0.7%, run-in:1.6%, P = 0.030) and >180 mg/dL (CLC: 4.9%, run-in: 13.1%, P = 0.032). Overnight glucose control was comparable, except for less time >250 mg/dL (CLC: 0%, run-in:3.9%, P = 0.030) and lower glucose standard deviation (CLC: 23.8 mg/dL, run-in:42.8 mg/dL, P = 0.007) during CLC. Conclusion: In this pilot study, use of the pregnancy-specific zone-MPC was feasible in pregnant women with T1D. Although the duration of our study was short and the number of participants was small, our findings add to the limited data available on the use of CLC systems during pregnancy (NCT04492566).

Objective: To analyze insulin delivery and glycemic metrics throughout the menstrual cycle for women with type 1 diabetes using closed loop control (CLC) insulin delivery. Methods: Menstruating women using a CLC system in a clinical trial were invited to record their menstrual cycles through a cycle-tracking application. Sixteen participants provided data for this secondary analysis over three or more complete cycles. Insulin delivery and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data were analyzed in relation to reported cycle phases. Results: Insulin delivery and CGM metrics remained consistent during cycle phases. Intraparticipant variability of CGM metrics and weight-based insulin delivery did not change through cycle phases. Conclusions: For this sample of menstruating women with type 1 diabetes using a CLC system, insulin delivery and glycemic metrics remained stable throughout menstrual cycle phases. Additional studies in this population are needed, particularly among women who report variable glycemic control during their cycles. Trial Registration: NCT03591354.

Background: Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have not been evaluated in the context of psychological and pharmacological stress in type 1 diabetes. Our objective was to determine glycemic control and insulin use with Zone Model Predictive Control (zone-MPC) AID system enhanced for states of persistent hyperglycemia versus sensor-augmented pump (SAP) during outpatient use, including in-clinic induced stress. Materials and Methods: Randomized, crossover, 2-week trial of zone-MPC AID versus SAP in 14 adults with type 1 diabetes. In each arm, each participant was studied in-clinic with psychological stress induction (Trier Social Stress Test [TSST] and Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test [SECPT]), followed by pharmacological stress induction with oral hydrocortisone (total four sessions per participant). The main outcomes were 2-week continuous glucose monitor percent time in range (TIR) 70–180 mg/dL, and glucose and insulin outcomes during and overnight following stress induction. Results: During psychological stress, AID decreased glycemic variability percentage by 13.4% ( P = 0.009). During pharmacological stress, including the following overnight, there were no differences in glucose outcomes and total insulin between AID and physician-assisted SAP. However, with AID total user-requested insulin was lower by 6.9 U ( P = 0.01) for pharmacological stress. Stress induction was validated by changes in heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. During the 2-week AID use, TIR was 74.4% (vs. SAP 63.1%, P = 0.001) and overnight TIR was 78.3% (vs. SAP 63.1%, P = 0.004). There were no adverse events. Conclusions: Zone-MPC AID can reduce glycemic variability and the need for user-requested insulin during pharmacological stress and can improve overall glycemic outcomes. Clinical Trial Identifier NCT04142229.

Background: Suboptimal glycemic control is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes (T1D). Prospective analysis of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics, insulin pump settings, and insulin delivery can better characterize the changes in glycemic levels and insulin use throughout pregnancy with T1D. Materials and Methods: Prescribed parameters, insulin delivery, carbohydrate intake, and CGM data for 25 pregnant women with T1D from three U.S. sites were collected. Participants enrolled before 17 weeks gestation and used personal insulin pumps and study CGM. Mean daily total, basal, and bolus insulin doses (units/kg), CGM time in range (TIR: 63–140 mg/dL), and pump-entered carbohydrates were analyzed for every 2-week gestational interval. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate changes across gestational ages compared to 12–14 weeks. Results: Basal insulin was higher during weeks 6–12 and 24–40. Daily bolus and total insulin were higher during weeks 20–40. Pump parameters were adjusted to intensify insulin therapy from 22 weeks onward. Average TIR across pregnancy was 59% ± 14%. Between 18 and 30 weeks, TIR was significantly lower, and time above range was significantly higher compared to the reference biweek. Time below target was lower between 22 and 34 weeks. Seven participants achieved >70% recommended TIR for pregnancy. Participants with maternal complications or infant neonatal intensive care unit admissions had lower TIR. Conclusion: While insulin dosing changed significantly with advancing gestation, most participants did not achieve >70% TIR. Customized anticipatory pump setting adjustments and automated systems aimed toward the designated TIR are needed to improve outcomes for this population. NCT03761615