Artificial pancreas gives girl a vacation from diabetes

[Electric Monk]

(snip)

Elle was selected to try out an experimental device called an artificial or "bionic" pancreas. During the three-day study, Elle didn't have to poke her finger every few hours to find out her blood sugar level because the "bionic" pancreas recorded it automatically and adjusted her insulin accordingly.

Shaheen didn't have to set her alarm to wake up every three hours at night because the device was designed to catch a dangerously high or low blood sugar and treat it.

"For the first time since she was diagnosed, I didn't have to worry," says Shaheen, who lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Medical device companies are racing to be the first to market an artificial pancreas, which takes over the work of the diabetic's malfunctioning organ. The device could potentially be used for Type 1 diabetics or Type 2 diabetics who use insulin.

more http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/04/health/artificial-pancreas/index.html

[HopeHoops]

1. That would be cool.

[loudsue]

2. That would be SUPER if they could actually make it work right over the long term.

One of my very best friends is diabetic, and she suffers a great deal, and is starting to go blind. Something like this would make her life so much better.

[TrogL]

3. How about a proper artificial kidney

Something that works all the time like a regular kidney, not a once-a-day shot like a dialysis machine.

[Yo_Mama]

4. We already have insulin pumps and CGMs, this adds glucagon

It's not THAT different from the devices already on the market according to the article. I think this should be accelerated. I knew two kids with Type I when I was a kid, and it is very tough for them to achieve control.

If you added amylin, it really would be an artificial pancreas.

You do have to calibrate the sensors for CGMS, though, so you still have to stick yourself, but most of the time it's just twice a day.