Precise Motor Controls for Life-Saving Technology

Beta Bionics was incorporated in 2015 as Public Benefits Corporation after a decade of research and collaboration between Boston University and Massachusetts General Hospital with the goal of creating a ‘bionic pancreas’ to help adults and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The iLet, currently in its 4th generation and undergoing in-home FDA trials, is a dual-chamber, autonomous, infusion pump that mimics a biological pancreas. Embedded in the system are clinically tested mathematical dosing algorithms driven by machine learning to autonomously calculate and dose insulin and/or glucagon as needed, based on data from a continuous glucose monitor. The company raised a Series B $57.6 Million funding round in October 2018.

Beta Bionics’ founder Ed Damiano approached Occam Technology Group to assist his company with fine tuning and perfecting the motor controls for the iLet’s drug delivery pumps, as well as support on the host control code. With 20 years of experience in in medical device design and development, Occam gladly accepted the contract, knowing that its specific expertise would allow the client to move the device quickly toward FDA mandated medical trials for Class 3 Medical Devices.

In addition to meeting and exceeding the original project requirements, Occam Technology Group also was approached to create testing prototypes for the software developers, as well as to provide code validation support for the devices. In over a year of collaboration, Occam managed to assist Beta Bionics in readying itself for in-home medical trials.

Due to the nature of the product, Beta Bionics had high standards. These standards were met and exceeded throughout the project and Occam managed to provide services and support that eventually led to Beta Bionics being both ready for the next phase of its development, as well as an additional funding round.