In today’s health related blog, I am writing about ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS.
Most of us are aware that, Pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body’s cell. The pancreas has two main functions: an exocrine function that helps in digestion and endocrine function that regulated blood sugar. For regulating blood sugar it produces insulin, glucagon and other hormones. Diabetes occurs when pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when body does not use insulin properly.
Juvenile or Type 1 diabetes means that pancreas are attacked by one’s own immune system, steadily reducing the amount of insulin it produces till it stops producing any at all. The only solution to this kind of condition till date is that a person suffering from Type 1 diabetes should take injections of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels in the blood.
What is Artificial Pancreas
It is a system made of three parts that work together to mimic how a healthy pancreas controls blood glucose, also called blood sugar levels, in the body. It is mainly used to help people with type 1 diabetes. Most artificial pancreas system requires you to count and enter the amount of carbohydrates you consume at mealtime. These are called ‘hybrid’ artificial pancreas systems, because some of the insulin is given automatically and some is given based on the information you enter. These systems help control blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, making it easier for people with type 1 diabetes to keep their blood sugar level in the range.
How Do the Artificial Pancreas System Work
Three devices make up an artificial pancreas system
- A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) tracks blood glucose levels every few minutes using a tiny sensor that is inserted under the skin. The sensor wirelessly sends the information to a program stored in smart phone or an insulin infusion pump.
- The program calculates how much insulin is needed and signals the insulin infusion pump when insulin needs to be delivered.
- The insulin infusion pump will deliver small doses of insulin throughout the day when blood glucose levels are not in your target range. There are different types of insulin pumps. One type of pump is worn outside the body on a belt or in pocket or pouch. Insulin flows from the pump though a plastic tube that connects to a smaller tube, called catheter, which has a needle that is inserted under the skin and stays in place for several days. Another type of pump attaches directs to the skin with an adhesive pad and gives insulin through a catheter inserted under the skin. This kind of pump is replaced every fey days.
The other names for this system are threshold suspended and predictive suspended system, Insulin-only system and dual hormone system.
Threshold Suspended & Predictive Suspend System– This system can temporarily suspend delivering insulin if your blood sugar levels get low. It stops delivering insulin when the blood sugar level drops to a pre-set level. Te predictive suspend system calculates your blood sugar level and will stop delivering insulin before sugar levels gets too low
Insulin-Only Systems – This system keeps your blood sugar level within your target range by automatically increasing or decreasing the amount of insulin delivered to your body based on your CGM values. This system can increase insulin dose if your blood sugar level is higher than your target range.
One type of Insulin-only system is the hybrid system. This system automatically adjusts insulin doses in response to your CGM values. But you must still count carbohydrate levels and calculate insulin doses for all meals and snacks.
Dual Hormone Systems- Researchers are currently developing and testing systems that use two hormones-insulin to lower sugar levels and glucagon to raise blood sugar level. This system may be able to tightly control sugar levels without causing hypoglycemia.
Benefits of Artificial Pancreas
It may help people with type 1 diabetes. With an artificial pancreas system your sugar levels will be monitored continuously. The computer program improve blood sugar control automatically adjusting the amount of insulin it delivers to keep blood sugar levels in range.
Limits of Artificial Pancreas
One has to regularly maintain the devices to be sure they are working properly and enter meal sizes into the system every time you eat. You will also need to
- Check CGM and infusion pump catheter to be sure they are in place and change them when needed.
- Replace the CGM sensor from time to time depending upon accuracy.
- Adjust the computer program settings to make sure you get the right amount of insulin.
- Reboot or reconnect the CGM, infusion pump etc, if there is problem.
The most advanced system when available in India would cost around Rs 8 to 9 lakhs, and the recurring monthly expenses would be around Rs 18 to 20,000.
In India currently systems with only insulin pumps are available, in the price range of Rs 5 to 6 lakhs.
In the near future, when Indian startups go in for developing the system of Artificial Pancreas, the price will definitely come down.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
13th November 2024