First Commercially Available Artificial Pancreas
Over 79,000 children have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes worldwide in 2013 alone. This autoimmune disorder affects the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. Injections through a pump can help blood sugar levels, especially at night. In Australia, a 4 year old boy was given the first commercially-available artificial pancreas, which automatically regulates his insulin levels. Xavier Hames was given the device from Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. The pancreas can communicate to the pump and read blood sugar levels. The pump is connected to the body under the skin to take care of the insulin. An algorithm is used to track blood sugar levels as it predicts when insulin is no longer needed. Diabetics have to wake up in the middle of the night because their insulin is still working and
bringing their blood sugar low.” The majority of hypoglycemic attacks occur at night when a person is asleep and they might not be able to react or recognize the attack,” Professor Tim Jones from Princess Margaret Hospital told The West Australian. “This device can predict hypoglycemia before it happens and stop insulin delivery before a predicted event. This, coupled with the fact that the pump automatically resumes insulin when glucose levels recover, is a real medical breakthrough.”
