Medtronic takes ‘first step’ toward US sale of artificial Pancreas

CHICAGO, June 24:  Type 1 diabetics, who run the risk  of dangerously low blood sugar, may be a step closer to getting help from a crude artificial pancreas device that can read blood sugar levels and automatically turn off the flow of insulin after a clinical trial showed the device is safe. The long-awaited results of the clinical trial may pave the way for US approval of the device, made by Medtronic, which already sells insulin pumps with an automatic shutoff feature in 50 countries outside the United States. The feature is meant to guard against delivering insulin to diabetics their blood sugar is already too low. (agencies)