A new device could make life safer and more convenient for some people with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it develops more often in children and teenagers.

 

Now, a teen is making medical history by being one of the first in the country to receive a so-called artificial pancreas, manufactured by Medtronic.

 

Claire Bickel has type 1 diabetes and keeping her blood sugar in check is a constant struggle. “It’s hard to do especially when I’m juggling field hockey, the  musical, spring track, school work,” Claire says.

 

But now, the active 14-year-old says this small device is going to simplify her life dramatically. She’s the first pediatric patient  to receive the so-called artificial pancreas since it was approved by the FDA, last year. 

 

The system automatically measures her blood sugar and  delivers personalized amounts of insulin 24 hours a day with less interaction from Claire.

 

She still has to still test her blood sugar, and watch  her diet, but this will do other important tasks.

  

“This is going to operate and do a lot of the important safety work  in between meals, during exercise ad at night,” explains Dr. Stuart Alan Weinzimer, Yale Children’s Diabetes Program

 

Clarie’s now looking forward to a future with less stress.  She says, “Going away places, going to college,  a lot of those things I want to do by myself, it’s just a like lot easier.”

 

Type 1 diabetes affects 1.25 million Americans.