In the world of medicine, Oscars are also awarded. The prestigious Prix Galien award, dubbed the “medical Oscar,” went to the developers of the MiniMed 780G system in 2023. This is an innovative device that significantly improves the quality of life of patients with type 1 diabetes.
What is the Prix Galien?
The Prix Galien is an international prize that has been awarded since 1970 for innovative discoveries in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. It is considered one of the most important awards in the industry, comparable to the Nobel Prize. In Poland, the Prix Galien has been awarded since 2011. The competition’s jury, composed of prominent Polish scientists, evaluates the submitted products for their innovation, effectiveness and safety.
MiniMed 780G – a breakthrough in diabetes treatment
The winner of this year’s Prix Galien in the “Medical Product” category is Medtronic’s MiniMed 780G system. It’s an advanced system for continuous glycemic monitoring (CGM) and insulin administration that makes daily life much easier for people with type 1 diabetes.
The MiniMed 780G system consists of three main components:
- Guardian™ 4 sensor: a small sensor placed under the skin that measures blood glucose levels every 5 minutes.
- MiniMed™ 780G insulin pump: a small wearable device that automatically delivers insulin.
- Mobile app: allows monitoring glucose levels, pump history and sending alerts.
How does the MiniMed 780G work?
The MiniMed 780G is the first system to automatically adjust insulin dose based on sensor readings. The SmartGuard™ algorithm predicts changes in glucose levels and adjusts the insulin dose accordingly, minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) and hyperglycemia(high sugar).
The system also offers a number of other features, such as:
- Automatic bolus correction: the system automatically administers additional insulin doses to correct high blood sugar levels.
- Hypoglycemia blocker: the system automatically stops insulin administration when glucose levels drop too low.
- SmartGuard™ Auto Mode function: allows automatic adjustment of insulin dose around the clock.
Benefits for patients
The MiniMed 780G system brings many benefits to patients with type 1 diabetes:
- Improved glycemic control: automatic adjustment of insulin dosage allows better control of blood sugar levels.
- Increase time in target range: the system helps keep glucose levels in the optimal range most of the time.
- Reducing the risk of hypoglycemia: SmartGuard™ algorithm minimizes the risk of hypoglycemia.
- More freedom and flexibility: treatment automation allows patients more freedom in their daily lives.
- Improved quality of life: Better control of diabetes translates into better well-being and greater energy.
“Medical Oscar” for MiniMed 780G – what does it mean?
The awarding of the Prix Galien to the MiniMed 780G system is an acknowledgment of its innovation and effectiveness in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. It is also a signal to patients and physicians that more and more advanced technologies are available that can significantly improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.
The future of diabetes treatment
The MiniMed 780G system is an important step toward creating an artificial pancreas. In the future, we can expect even more advanced technologies that will be able to completely automate the treatment of diabetes.
