Artificial pancreas may turn a reality

British scientists claim to have made a significant breakthrough towards developing a so-called “artificial pancreas” system for managing type 1 diabetes in children.

A team at Cambridge University has developed and even tested a new algorithm, providing a “stepping stone” to home testing for the artificial pancreas, British medical journal The Lancet reported. Their study shows that using an artificial pancreas system overnight can significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, when blood glucose levels drop dangerously low, while sleeping.

These so-called “hypos” are major concern for children and adults with type 1 diabetes. As well as obviating the need for multiple daily finger prick tests and insulin injections, the artificial pancreas should offer better control of blood glucose levels overnight, say the scientists.

In their study, 17 children and teenagers aged between 5 and 18 with type 1 diabetes were studied during 54 nights in hospital.

The team measured how well the artificial pancreas system controlled glucose levels compared with the children’s regular continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump, which delivers insulin at preselected rates.