New Trials Test Fully Closed Loop Insulin Systems That Could Eliminate Carb Counting

A fully closed loop insulin system works like an artificial pancreas: it reads your blood sugar continuously and automatically delivers insulin without requiring you to announce meals or count carbohydrates. Unlike hybrid closed loop systems that ask you to enter carb information before eating, fully closed loop aims to handle insulin dosing on its own.

This approach could simplify daily diabetes management for many people. Currently, no fully closed loop system has received FDA clearance, which is why researchers are conducting carefully controlled trials to test whether these systems are safe and effective.

The University of Virginia's Center for Diabetes Technology is running AIDANET At Home (trial ID: NCT07039617), an ongoing study recruiting 40 adults with type 1 diabetes. The trial compares three different approaches: fully closed loop (no meal announcement needed), hybrid closed loop (where you announce meals), and a combination of both modes.

Researchers are also comparing these AIDANET modes against a standard Tandem insulin pump without the AIDANET system. The main goal is to measure time in range—the percentage of time blood sugar stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL. As of September 2026, no results have been published yet, and the trial is still enrolling participants.

Beyond AIDANET, researchers are testing closed loop systems in other settings. One completed trial evaluated a smaller network version of AIDANET focused on safety and feasibility. Another active trial called FCL@Home is testing fully closed loop systems with different age groups—teenagers, young adults, and older adults—both in a controlled hotel setting and at home.

These studies deliberately include people with a range of blood sugar control levels, from those with lower HbA1c values to those with higher values, to understand how well closed loop works across different starting points.

If you use an insulin pump, these trials may feel personally relevant—the promise of not counting carbs at every meal is understandably appealing. But it's important to remember that these are early-stage research projects. No fully closed loop system is currently approved by the FDA, and trial results are not yet available to the public.

If you're interested in participating in closed loop research, you can search ClinicalTrials.gov to find trials recruiting in your area. Always discuss any interest in experimental systems with your diabetes care team. For now, hybrid closed loop and other existing insulin delivery systems remain the approved options available to patients.

Origin: T1D Pulse (Video report). Evidence: Video report, corroborated with 2 indexed studies. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.