The treatment for diabetes is very time-consuming for patients: they need to regularly monitor blood sugar levels, take medication and inject insulin. Poor self-management may result in a dangerous lapse in blood glucose levels. Yet external factors can also contribute to diabetes being out of control. An artificial pancreas system could offer relief.
In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Prof. Christoph Stettler explains how this type of system works and how a clever algorithm regulates blood glucose levels - and is even meant to predict the future.
Prof. Stettler, what is an artificial pancreas?
Prof. Christoph Stettler: In the body, the pancreas regulates -among other things- blood sugar by producing the two hormones, insulin and glucagon. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer produces insulin because the beta cells have been destroyed. Subsequently, blood sugar levels rise. If we want to replace the pancreas with a device, we need to simulate an organ that is extremely well "built" because not only does it release hormones but it also continuously "measures" blood glucose levels to respond to changes - regardless of whether we eat, exercise or sleep. Simulating this function is not a trivial task. ...
Read the whole interview at MEDICA-tradefair.com!