MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Smartphones are capable of meeting all the criteria for an artificial pancreas by providing close-loop, outpatient control of glucose levels for diabetics, according to a new study published by the American Diabetes Assn.

Using modified Android phones, researchers proved that it is possible to make an artificial pancreas fully mobile. They hope to replace the current standard, which is a laptop connected to to the patient’s glucose monitor and insulin pump, according to MobiHealthNews.

The artificial pancreas has been called the “holy grail” of the medical device industry, seamlessly providing diabetic patients with blood glucose monitoring and insulin dosing, but no such devices have made it to the U.S. market. That’s not for lack of trying, however.

Companies like Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) are slowly progressing with its research and development, with Medtronic in particular recently touting positive outcomes for its MiniMed mechanical insulin pump system. Canadian researchers have been comparing their dual-hormone artificial pancreas to conventional diabetes management with positive results.

Many companies and research groups have their eye on that "holy grail," and future iterations of the devices may be able to rely on the smartphones everyone already has in their pockets to manage the system.

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