Medtronic’s Artificial Pancreas Approved for U.S. Diabetics

Medtronic Inc. the world’s largest maker of heart-rhythm devices, won U.S. regulatory approval for the first artificial pancreas that shuts itself off when a patient’s blood sugar levels get dangerously low.

The device, called the MiniMed 530G, combines an insulin pump with a sensor that halts insulin delivery for two hours if a patient’s blood sugar falls below preset levels. It’s a step toward a fully automatic artificial pancreas that adjusts insulin delivery continuously as glucose levels change.