The management of type 2 diabetes has improved with the evolution of new pharmaceuticals, insulin delivery devices and surgical procedures. In spite of these improvements, there continues to be a number of unmet needs that leave patients at risk for the progression of, or co-morbid conditions associated with, type 2 diabetes.
New non-surgical therapeutics are emerging with the potential to fill the gap between pharmaceutical regimens and surgery. These innovative devices will initially benefit patients who have not been able to manage their type 2 diabetes with lifestyle adjustments or medication, and for whom the risks of surgery are unacceptable. Ultimately, these devices may also serve the needs of patients earlier in the progression of their disease, or later in complement with pharmaceutical agents.
Non-surgical Metabolic Control
There is a clear need for treatment alternatives for patients who are not responsive to medical therapy and do not see surgery as an option. Recently, a new paradigm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes has emerged. GI Dynamics has developed the EndoBarrier to provide a novel approach for physicians to deliver effective therapy to those patients who are dissatisfied with or unresponsive to current treatment options.
Much like gastric bypass surgery, the EndoBarrier is thought to affect metabolic balance by bypassing certain portions of the intestine. Initial results have been impressive with short-term reduction in medications and sustained clinical efficacy while the device is implanted, as well as for a period after device removal in conjunction with a multidisciplinary support program. The device is introduced into the patient using non-surgical techniques and is removable, thereby providing the benefits of surgery while avoiding many of the risks.
