Understanding the Artificial Pancreas in 3 simple points

This image is a diagram showing each part that makes up an artificial pancreas. It has items numbered one through four. Item one is the continuous glucose monitor. Item two is the computer-controlled algorithm. Item three is the insulin pump. Item four is the patient effect.

Source - https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ArtificialPancreas/ucm259548.htm

What is the Artificial Pancreas?

One of the most exciting breakthroughs our times, the Artificial Pancreas is a device that will automate the checking of blood glucose level and the dispensing(or withholding) of insulin (according to the glucose level in the blood).

The system is made up of a sensor that measures blood glucose under the skin; an insulin pump; an infusion patch that delivers insulin from the pump via a catheter inserted into the skin and a computer chip that uses data to optimize insulin delivery by the minute.

(More info - http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/fda-approves-first-artificial-pancreas/)

The technology

This technology will give a huge relief to diabetes sufferers, especially those suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. No more pricking yourself for blood sugar measurement six time a day and no more making the lengthy calculation of the amount of insulin to be taken based on what you eat.

The Artificial Pancreas will do all of this for you while you go about your day.

How will it function?

The Artificial Pancreas will be first available as an external device to be worn around your waist, It will measure the glucose levels and directly administer the insulin into the patients blood stream.

The FDA in USA has already given approval for it and the device is expected to hit the market soon.

Comments

How can I change my organ donor status on Faceboook? Even if I am in India

A lot of my friends have been wondering how one can become an Organ Donor in India and if you need to register with a particular hospital or clinic etc. The most important thing to know about Organ Donation is that, you need not be tied down to or registered with any hospital in the world to be an Organ Donor. All you really need is FACEBOOK! Yes I mean it. Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg has made it very easy for you to become a Organ Donor. No matter which part of the world you are in, you can actually become and Organ Donor on Facebook and announce it tot he world. Here is how : Select the "Help Centre" on Facebook after you have logged in and select your Organ Donor status: Just choose the become an Organ Donor and it will take you to your country respective registry. In India it is this website : Just input your Name and other details and you are officially an Organ Donor. It is that easy and yes it is a val...

White House annouces private sector actor to reduce organ transplant waitlist

The White House today made an announcement that will affect thousands of organ transplant recipeints in USA to reduce their waiting time and enable to the number of transplants per day to increase dramatically. According to research 100% of USA population favours Organ donation and would be ready to donate their organs but only 50% end up doing so. So according to the three pronged approach initiated by Mr. Barack Obama includes developments in the following three areas has been considered: 1. Development of New Technologies One the first announcements was to support newer technologies that would allow for organ replacment in the future with new tissue development and other technologies like 3D printing. "New breakthroughs in bioengineering, transplantation, and organ preservation can further increase the number of organ transplants and improve outcomes," the President's office said. 2. Reducing time taken for Donor Organ...

Why the new Mental Health bill is being hailed by everyone in India right now

Mental health in India has always been greatly stigmatized. We are extremely judgmental of people who say they are depressed and approach a psychiatrist for the same. We talk behind their back and generally brand them as 'mental case'. It wasn't until recently Deepika Padukone followed by a number of other celebs disclosed being depressed and having various mental ailments that to some level it seems that we have reached a stage where we can atleast have a conversation about it. Recently the mental health care bill of 2013 was passed, that updated a lot of definitions of what constitutes mental health. It has been hailed by the general public as a step in the right direction. Here are some of the salient features of the bill that have really been appreciated by everyone. 1. First and most importantly, the mental health bill decriminalizes suicide. Viewed as a revolutionary move, the bill acknowledges the various mental factors contributing to a person...

Mediwikileaks

Search This Blog