An artificial pancreas, just a few years away say researchers, would let diabetics more easily monitor their blood and inject insulin as needed. Researchers in the U.K. think they can combine continuous glucose monitoring and an insulin pump into one package. A mechanical pancreas could reduce the need for fingersticks and injections of insulin that diabetics must now endure several times a day. University of Cambridge’s Roman Hovorka has been testing devices in patients with type-1 (early onset) diabetes. A continuous glucose sensor would be implanted under the skin to transmit blood-sugar readings to a monitor. A computer then calculates a dose of insulin which is delivered by a pump, a device many already wear. Clinical test on humans may be near.

FDA regulators are working with the researchers to ensure they design studies in a way that leads to quick review, says Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Aaron Kowalski.

About 24 million Americans have diabetes, with type 1 accounting for 5 to 10% of diagnosed cases. About 23% of type 1 patients use pumps and the market is valued at $4.3 billion. Experts say there is likely a market for artificial pancreas systems among people with the most severe cases of type 2 (late onset) diabetes, who must also take insulin.