A team from the University of Cambridge (England) has joined forces with the University Hospital of Bern (Switzerland) to test the first artificial pancreas that is operated from a mobile app . This invention is intended for those who have severe diabetes and kidney failure.
Using 3D-Printed Cancer Patient Cells in Tumors to Test Treatments
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine , is based on real-time data processing and wireless connection. Through this, patients at risk will be able to count on a quick and autonomous alternative to control their blood glucose levels.
People suffering from kidney failure are more likely to suffer abnormally high or low sugar clo e , ie, increases your risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
These situations can lead to dizziness, falls, and even coma in some patients. For this reason, the artificial pancreas that is self-managed from an application could be beneficial for diabetics with kidney failure.
How does the artificial pancreas work?
According to the researchers , the small device that supplants the function of a healthy pancreas works using technology similar to that used in some sports watches. In this way, the artificial pancreas has a glucose sensor, capable of analyzing the patient’s blood, which sends the collected information to the mobile phone.
They are expected to be commercialized in 2024.
Next, the mobile executes an algorithm that calculates the insulin that the person needs at that moment. Thus, an insulin pump records this data and delivers the exact dose.
The researchers have emphasized in their report that ” this finding highlights the importance of using an adaptive algorithm, which can be adjusted in response to an individual’s changing insulin needs over time .”
Results in patients
From October 2019 to November 2020, the team piloted their study with 26 dialysis patients. According to they count, 13 of these participants were treated with the artificial pancreas and, on the other hand, the remaining 13 received traditional insulin therapy . The results were favorable for patients with artificial pancreas.
However, despite the fact that the invention involves reducing the number of finger pricks to control blood sugar levels, several participants agreed that it was uncomfortable to use the insulin pump. In addition, they were also bothered by having to constantly carry their mobile phone .