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Artificial Organs -Solving the Organ Transplant Crises
Artificial Pancreas
Artificial pancreas similarly mimics the glucose regulating function of a normal pancreas. Artificial pancreas usually consist of three devices: a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) and an insulin infusion pump. A blood glucose device (such as a glucose meter) is used to calibrate the CGM. A computer-controlled algorithm is connected to the CGM and an insulin infusion pump which allows to communicate between those two devices. Not only it monitors the glucose levels, it also automatically adjusts the delivery of insulin to reduce high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and minimize the incidence of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) with little or no input from the patient. Artificial pancreas device is also known as "closed-loop" system, an "automated insulin delivery" system, or an "autonomous system for glycemic control." (A14)
What are Artificial Pancreas?
Did you Know?
Elle is a 12 years old girl who has type 1 diabetes. Every couple of hours, her mom has to poke her finger with a needle and check her blood. Elle was selected to try out the artificial pancreas system for 3 days. Her mom, Stefany Shaheen did not even have to set the alarm to poke her finger or stay up all night to watch her blood. The device showed her glucose level and it could catch if the blood was dangerously low or high blood sugar. For those 3 days, Elle stayed at the hospital and the device was hooked up outside of her body. The device soon learned her blood sugar patterns and changed accordingly. She was able to consume 67 to 100 carbohydrates when before, she only ate about 40 to 50 carbohydrates per day. Scientists are finding a way to let patients use the artificial pancreas device system outside of the hospital. In couple of years, they hope to make portable artificial pancreas for all who have type 1 diabetes and hopefully for type 2 diabetes (A15).
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