But researchers at Boston University and Massachusetts General hospital say they have developed a new tool in battling Type 1 diabetes: the “bionic pancreas.” The artificial organ mimics the function of the pancreas, which produces insulin.

Unlike insulin pumps, often used by diabetics to decrease blood sugar, the bionic pancreas also delivers glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. The two hormones work together, preventing blood sugar from getting too high or too low.

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As the study explained, the bionic pancreas is “autonomous, wearable, bihormonal.”

And it’s controlled by a modified iPhone.

“The data address some of the most difficult problems in diabetes management,” Kevan Herold, director of the Yale Diabetes Center, who was not involved in the study, told the New York Times. “I’d say that the effects are quite significant and noteworthy.”

The study, “Outpatient Glycemic Control with a Bionic Pancreas in Type 1 Diabetes,” written by a team of researchers led by Steven J. Russell, appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers followed a group of more than 50 diabetics — 20 adults and 32 teenagers. Patients wore the bionic pancreas for five days. It fits in a fanny pack or in a pocket. Three small needles connect patients to the device.

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Patients were able to give the device specific information about meals. The bionic pancreas “allowed announcement of meal size as ‘typical,’ ‘more than usual,’ ‘less than typical,’ or ‘a small bite’ and the meal type as ‘breakfast,’ ‘lunch,” or ‘dinner,'” as the study explained.

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Finger-prick blood tests were still needed, but the artificial organ was a hit.

“The use of the bihormonal bionic pancreas in our two short-term studies resulted in better glycemic control than is possible with the current standard of care,” the study said.

In other words: Test subjects didn’t want to give it back. As the Associated Press reported:

Kristina Herndon said her 13-year-old son, Christopher, “loved it” when he tried it for the study, and “felt pretty badly giving it back” when it ended.

About 26 million Americans have diabetes. Five percent have Type 1.

Starting today, 40 diabetic adults will wear the bionic pancreas in a 11-day follow-up trial.

Next stop: the Food and Drug Administration.