Written by Harnoor Bhatti and Edited by Amy Huynh
The pancreas is a vital organ in our body that produces insulin and enzymes that help digest our food. Insulin processes the glucose from the carbohydrates we consume and then stores it as energy for future use. If the human body lacks a sufficient amount of insulin, then the body will lack the energy needed to be active during the day. The lack of insulin is caused by diabetes in which there is too much sugar in the blood. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces an insufficient amount on insulin needed to regulate blood glucose and Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas becomes resistant to the insulin currently present in the body [1].
In America an estimated “30.3 million people of all ages had diabetes in 2015,” which is approximately 10% of the American population [2]. Many patients have to constantly test their blood glucose and calculate their insulin doses. In order for a patient to eat a burger or pizza, they must plan out their insulin doses beforehand to avoid high blood sugar and other diabetic complications. To combat the disease and provide an alternative to insulin injections, a fairly new invention called the artificial pancreas device system was introduced. While the idea for this device dates back to the 1970s, an actual prototype called the Medtronic MiniMed was recently brought to reality. It is the first FDA-approved artificial pancreas for people with Type 1 diabetes [1].
The system mimics the “glucose regulating function of a healthy pancreas” [1]. Most systems consist of three devices which aid in the function of the pancreas: a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM), an insulin infusion pump, and a glucose meter. The CGM provides information on the patient’s blood glucose levels through a sensor under the subcutaneous layer of the patient’s skin. This information is then put through a control algorithm software that performs calculations needed to figure out the dosing instructions for the infusion pump. This control algorithm can run on the insulin pump itself. With the instructions available, the insulin pump can adjust the amount on insulin the patient needs and then deliver it to the tissue under the skin. The patient is also a vital part to this system since the levels of glucose in a patient’s blood are constantly changing and is affected by the “patient’s diet and activity level” [1].
The introduction of the Medtronic MiniMed has been considered a significant breakthrough in the medicine field because it aids in the maintenance of insulin levels which promote an easier lifestyle for patients. Diabetes is difficult on the body since it can damage blood vessels and lead to numerous complications such as nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke. The device provides a way for patients to be able to cope with their illness while also enjoying their lifestyle without having to worry about their insulin levels spiking. However, the device has not been perfected yet. Users often have to calibrate the CGM using a measurement from a blood glucose device to in order to get an accurate estimate of the amount of blood glucose levels in the body. There is still room for improvement and hopefully in the future there will be a device that can function without user intervention [1].
References:
[2] “National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2017.” pp. 1–20., www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/basics/cdc-statistics-report-2017.pdf