Press Release / Health and Fitness / iphone "bionic pancreas" device used in human trial to treat diabetes

iphone "bionic pancreas" device used in human trial to treat diabetes

In a recent study, researchers developed and performed human trials using a "bionic pancreas" consisting of reservoirs for

glucagon and insulin, 2 pumps, and an iphone 4s. The iphone, (with associated app of course) functioned as a receiver, processor,

and transmitter of signals measuring blood sugar levels and calculating the amount of glucagon or insulin to be pumped to the

patient, every 5 minutes. What motivated the development of the device?




The device was tested on 52 patients, including adults and adolescents for a 5-day period. The device outperformed traditional

pump devices, by reducing hypoglycemic incidents in the patients by half. One-third of patients with type 1 diabetes use pumps to

achieve nondiabetic levels of blood sugar, but traditional pumping systems only provide insulin, and not glucagon, which helps

prevent hypoglycemia.


Performing fundamental diabetes research or developing diabetes peptide drugs? Try our custom peptide synthesis services.