Artificial Pancreas
We have great news for adults with type 1 diabetes: Mount Sinai Health System doctors, under the leadership of Carol Levy, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Disease) and Director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center, have pioneered the successful clinical trials of the artificial pancreas (otherwise known as closed loop) systems.
We are proud to be the first to lead these ground-breaking outpatient studies and to be the most experienced provider in the New York City area of the artificial pancreas, a non-invasive approach to diabetes treatment that improves your quality of life by helping to keep your blood glucose levels in near normal ranges with less patient intervention. These systems are designed to reduce the burden of patient self-care. We continue to be on the frontline in the research and development of these closed loop systems, including with funding from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
We provide a hands-on team approach to your care. Each patient is provided a personalized plan that includes education and training on the new device as well as follow-up visits. We are with you every step of the way.
Our team of researchers, led by Carol Levy, MD, along with David Lam, MD, Camila Levister, NP, CDE, Cythia Esrig, NP, CDE, have played a significant role regarding the breakthroughs in research. They have extensive experience in the use and management of this device and they have trained physicians to be equally as skilled in its operation. By coming to Mount Sinai, you are in the most experienced and best hands possible.
How the Artificial Pancreas Works for Type 1 Diabetes
The system currently available provides additional support in terms of mitigating both the risk of high and low blood glucose levels which is a significant help for patients with T1D. The artificial pancreas consists of an insulin pump and glucose monitor all controlled by a computer the size of a smart-phone or housed in the insulin pump. The device/algorithm monitors your blood sugar and reduces the burdens involved in self-management of diabetes on a minute-by-minute basis for many patients.
If you are interested in this program to learn more about artificial pancreas, we encourage you to contact the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center at 212-241-3422 to schedule an appointment and evaluation. We will work with you to determine your eligibility, and if insurance will cover the cost of the device, the training you might need and your use of the device over time.
Ongoing Pioneering Artificial Pancreas Research
We have a number of clinical trials that you may qualify for related to these closed loop devices, as we are the leading health system in the New York City area in the development and improvement of these systems. Following the 2016 FDA approval of the first hybrid closed loop artificial pancreas, we continue to make improvements and new discoveries with studies to test enhancements to the device, pumps and sensors, and software packages to provide you with the best possible experience.
While we have received research funding from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, continuing innovation to address this chronic disease requires additional resources. Supporting the very best in patient education also requires funding. Please help fund this exciting and groundbreaking work to give diabetes patients the ability to live their lives with a reduced disease burden.
