I have two children with type-1. Medtronic is also working on this solution.

The system brings a great amount of security from night time lows. Even with it though, there is lots of pain and needles (infusion sets, subcutaneous sensors, etc). And they must always know how to administer insulin manually in the event the system fails.

Sounds very promising.

It's all external but she has an insulin pump and a Constant Glucose Monitor that sends data directly to the pump.

unfortunately the CGM is still being perfected and the one she has isn't quite accurate enough but it is amazing technology that continues to improve.

There was a big article on this in Diabetes Forecast (the magazine of the American Diabetes Association) last fall. Glad to see it getting out there more publicly now. The more people know of this, the more funding and research will be available, the sooner it will be on the market. Next to a cure, this is the golden ticket; a "closed loop" system that functions as an external pancreas.

I am cautious - - as is any diabetic or parent of one - - but have high hopes that this will be available and on the market for everyone within 5 years or less.

but as a technologist, I have low expectations about the manufacturers actually worrying about security -- devices like this are generally very hackable, particularly wireless ones.

All things being equal, though, better blood chemistry management is a very welcome thing for those who need it. (I'm a "lucky" type 2, so this doesn't directly impact me.)

but every step that makes life easier for diabetes sufferers is awesome.

Thanks for the thread, IDemo.