No Jenny in this episode of Defining Diabetes, but that's okay. I can handle it.

In today's episode, I'll define algorithm.

Defining Diabetes is made possible by Dexcom, Omnipod, and Dancing for Diabetes.

Please remember that nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered

advice, medical or otherwise to always consult a physician before becoming

bold with insulin or making any changes to your medical plan.

The word algorithm isn't really thought of as Di-B-specific, but in the coming months and years, it's going to be.

The general definition for algorithm

is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations

or other problem-solving operations,

especially by a computer.

In Webster's definition, it expands this a little bit.

A procedure for solving a mathematical problem in a finite number of steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation.

More broadly, a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end.

Now why am I choosing in the middle of all these diabetes definitions to tell you about algorithm?

Well that's simple.

In closed loop systems, algorithms are the brain.

For example, OmniPOT is working on their horizon system

that they expect to have out in the year 2020. It's a hybrid closed loop system that uses an

omnipod, a Dexcom G6, and an algorithm. This algorithm is designed

specifically to take the information from your DexCom G6,

the information about your blood sugar, what it is, how fast it's moving, what direction it's going.

...