An Artificial Pancreas

In earlier posts, I spoke of the algorithm and sensors which must be improved if the potential Artificial Pancreas is to be available for public use. After reading through articles I found another which speaks of this issue more clearly. This article posted in the MIT Technology review presents to the reader a chance to understand what must come of the current technology if the device is to be approved of by the FDA and considered safe for public use. As previously mentioned, algorithms and sensors are used to predict and determine what insulin levels are in the body and what necessary dosage is needed to be released. Two components of the device-- insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors-- are already available to the commercial market; when all four are combined to "close the loop" a more effective system for controlling glycemic levels is possible. Roman Hovorka of the University of Cambridge in the U.K. heads a team study of this. In the study, 12 children with Type 1 Diabetes were tested and the "closed-loop" system brought their blood-glucose levels within target range 61 percent of the time (up from 23 percent for those who followed normal routines). The remaining obstacle, is bringing the computing algorithm up to a level which allows the device to function on a human-like basis and then prove to the FDA it is safe for commercial use.

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21196/page2/