Diabetes Revolution: Artificial Pancreas could Spell the End of Finger Pricks and Injections

Diabetes Revolution: Artificial Pancreas could Spell the End of Finger Pricks and Injections within Two Years

• iPhone-sized device monitors blood sugar levels and transmits readings
• Control centre works out correct dose of insulin for pump to inject into skin
• Will stop Type 1 sufferers from having to continually monitor levels
• Also set to help people with severe Type 2 diabetes who need injections

An artificial pancreas which allows diabetes sufferers to lead ‘normal lives’ could be available within two years.

Scientists have developed an iPhone-sized device which monitors patients’ blood sugar levels and automatically injects the right levels of insulin.

The revolutionary product attaches to the wearer’s clothing from where it monitors glucose levels and provides insulin when required through patches on the skin.

It could prove a lifeline for around 350,000 Britons who suffer from Type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the pancreas stops producing insulin.

Currently, patients must inject themselves with insulin up to five times a day to avoid serious health problems.



The iPhone sized device monitors a patient's blood sugar levels (1) with readings transmitted to the control centre (2) before insulin pump gives the correct dose (3) to the wearer

But the amount required fluctuates every day depending on their diet and activity levels, meaning they must monitor their blood sugar with finger prick tests every few hours.

The device could also benefit tens of thousands of people who suffer from severe Type 2 diabetes.

Around 3.1million patients have been diagnosed with Type 2, which is linked to obesity, of which 14 per cent have a severe form needing insulin injections.

Because of rising obesity levels, it is estimated that a total of five million Britons will have diabetes by 2025 – the majority with Type 2.

University of Cambridge scientists working on the artificial pancreas have found a way to combine two existing devices – pumps which deliver insulin and glucose monitors – into one automatic ‘artificial pancreas’ known as a closed-loop system.
In research published in the journal Diabetologia, Dr Roman Hovorka and Dr Hood Thabit said: ‘Type 1 diabetes carries a significant psychosocial burden and adversely impacts quality of life.

'In trials to date, users have been positive about how use of an artificial pancreas gives them “time off” or a “holiday” from their diabetes management, since the system is managing their blood sugar effectively without the need for constant monitoring by the user.’

The researchers compared the results of several studies analysing how adults and children fared while using the devices, both in carefully monitored ‘diabetes camps’ and when living normally at home.

They found that the devices were not only successful in managing the condition but also reduced the amount of time patients spent with too high or too low blood sugar levels, compared to their usual self-management technique.

In the longest study to date, patients used a closed-loop device day and night at home for three months. By using it, they improved the amount of time their blood levels were in the target glucose range by 11 percentage points.

Dr Hovorka told the Mail devices were ready to be made available to the public as soon as they had been approved by regulators, which could be as early as 2017 in the US and the end of 2018 in the UK and Europe.



The artificial pancreas which could revolutionise treatment for people with diabetes could be available in Britain within the next two years

He said: ‘Some companies (which are manufacturing the technology) are just getting the boxes ticked and going through regulatory approvals.’

Scientists are also continuing to develop the product – including factoring in cybersecurity so it cannot be hacked.

Dr Hovorka added: ‘This is evolving technology, there is research continuing into both the parts which measure glucose and inject insulin, as well as making (synthetic) insulin which can act faster.

‘Each of the components is undergoing parallel development which will help this system be more user-friendly and more reliable.’

The device could eventually replace the need for some diabetic patients to have pancreas transplants, meaning they can avoid undergoing major surgery and taking drugs to suppress their immune system for the rest of their lives.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Diabetes UK Director of Research, said the development could be life-changing for diabetes sufferers.

She added: ‘The artificial pancreas has the potential to transform lives, particularly for people who find it difficult to maintain good control of their blood glucose levels.

‘We’re very pleased to see this area of research moving at a fast pace, but there are still hurdles to overcome in making the technology as effective and reliable as possible.

‘Diabetes UK has been a long-time supporter of Professor Hovorka’s research into the development of artificial pancreas technology, and it’s very exciting to see that those investments will make a real difference to the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes.’

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