Abbott today announced the discharge of a new edition of its popular FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor that may integrate with the t:slim X2 insulin pump, forming a “closed loop” automated insulin delivery system. For the primary time, insulin pump users will give you the option to make use of a FreeStyle Libre sensor to mechanically select and adjust insulin doses, expanding the choices for individuals with diabetes to make use of essentially the most advanced blood sugar management technology yet developed.
The brand new sensor is known as the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus, and it’s the primary sensor from the FreeStyle Libre family of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that is prepared to be used in a closed-loop system. It could also immediately develop into one among the cheaper “looping” options available on the market — Libre CGM sensors are typically priced lower than the offerings from competitor Dexcom.
The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus is a brand new and improved version of Abbott’s popular FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM sensor. This sensor mechanically provides a brand new blood glucose measurement every minute (no more “scanning”) and boasts an industry-leading wear time of 15 days.
Linking up with the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump, the brand new “hybrid closed loop system” will utilize Tandem’s popular Control-IQ algorithm, which uses blood sugar measurements to predict how much insulin a user requires. The Control-IQ system communicates between the CGM sensor and Tandem’s t:slim X2 insulin pump, mechanically deciding when to provide roughly insulin with the intention to keep a user’s blood sugar in a healthy range as often as possible. Control-IQ can adjust insulin rates every five minutes and suspend insulin delivery or deliver correction boluses to avoid hypo- and hyperglycemia. (To get the perfect results, users still must make manual adjustments to insulin delivery rates to account for meals and aspects resembling exercise.)
Users of the FreeStyle Libre 3 system, which has the smallest sensors available on the market, will still need to wait to sync up their CGM with an insulin pump. An Abbott spokesman could only confirm that the corporate was working with Tandem to integrate the Libre 3 with the t:slim X2 “as soon as possible.”
In a matter of weeks, the looping options for individuals with diabetes have greatly expanded. Abbott’s biggest competitor, Dexcom, recently announced that its own next-gen G7 sensor can now integrate with two insulin pumps, the t:slim X2 and the iLet.
Tandem users will give you the option so as to add FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor integration free of charge; all it takes is downloading a software update, and all latest customers can have the mixing mechanically enabled.
Your local pharmacy, nonetheless, may not have FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensors in stock. Abbott asks potential customers to call their customer care team (1-844-330-5535) to receive an inventory of durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers who can have the brand new sensors in stock.