Insulin Study Could Lead to New Dosage Devices -- Artificial Pancreas

[steven johnson]

Here is the holy grail of diabetes therapy next to the pancreas transplant -- the mechanical artificial pancreas. These researchers feel they have a feedback system involving an external glucose monitor and a preprogrammed insulin pump tpo maintain glucose within narrow limits.

Unfortunately this sounds a lot like the microchip-based throttle system in the Toyota so I'm suspicious of the bugs in the system.

Researchers call such a hypothetical integrated system an “artificial pancreas” because it would mimic the way a healthy pancreas works, sensing glucose and dispensing insulin in the right dose at the right time. The goal is a portable system that could be worn on a belt and would be no larger than a cellphone.

The new study in The Lancet, proponents say, represents a proof-of-concept milestone in the quest to develop such a system.

“The significance is in showing that the existing devices, which are available commercially, can be combined to create the first version of an artificial pancreas,” said Dr. Roman Hovorka, the lead author of the study.

Although the Lancet study was small — only 17 children completed the entire protocol — it is significant because it demonstrated that a computer algorithm could safely interpret glucose data and calculate appropriate insulin doses for a pump, he said.



Insulin Study Could Lead to New Dosage Devices

[doodadem]

1. Wow. Great news if it works

Too late for both my sisters, but great news for millions of other Type 1 diabetics out there.......

Now wonder what they can do about reversing the organ and other damage this horrific disease inflicts.