Artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetes patients
Artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetes patients
19:25, February 08, 2010 
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Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an artificial pancreas device that can improve overnight blood sugar control, which brings new hope for type 1 diabetes patients, media reported Monday.
One problem facing type 1 diabetics is hypoglycemia; a condition in which blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels after the use of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must use insulin; however, it is difficult for patients to know the exact dosage they need. When too much of insulin is used, blood sugar drops quickly, potentially leading to hypoglycemia.
The artificial pancreas is a matchbox-sized monitor and a similar sized pump with a tube to deliver the insulin to the body. The device can calculate the appropriate amount of insulin to deliver based on real time blood sugar readings.
Researchers said the study patients, aged 5 to 18, spent twice as much time during the night at targeted glucose levels when they used the device, compared to the manual approach.
Dr. Hovorka said "Our results show that commercially-available devices, when coupled with the algorithm we developed, can improve glucose control in children and significantly reduce the risk of hypos overnight."
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include hunger, shakiness, nervousness, sweating, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, difficulty speaking, anxiety and weakness, according to a publication by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
Source: Xinhuanet
One problem facing type 1 diabetics is hypoglycemia; a condition in which blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels after the use of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must use insulin; however, it is difficult for patients to know the exact dosage they need. When too much of insulin is used, blood sugar drops quickly, potentially leading to hypoglycemia.
The artificial pancreas is a matchbox-sized monitor and a similar sized pump with a tube to deliver the insulin to the body. The device can calculate the appropriate amount of insulin to deliver based on real time blood sugar readings.
Researchers said the study patients, aged 5 to 18, spent twice as much time during the night at targeted glucose levels when they used the device, compared to the manual approach.
Dr. Hovorka said "Our results show that commercially-available devices, when coupled with the algorithm we developed, can improve glucose control in children and significantly reduce the risk of hypos overnight."
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include hunger, shakiness, nervousness, sweating, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, difficulty speaking, anxiety and weakness, according to a publication by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
Source: Xinhuanet
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