The artificial pancreas is a system that measures blood glucose levels on a minute-to-minute basis using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and transmits this information to an insulin pump that calculates and releases the required amount of insulin into the body.
This system, which is worn like an insulin pump, has been termed the 'artificial pancreas' because it monitors and adjusts insulin levels just as the pancreas does in people without diabetes.
A better life
The device has the potential to transform lives, particularly for people who find it difficult to maintain good blood glucose control.
By levelling out the peaks and troughs in blood glucose levels, the artificial pancreas will help to avoid:
- raised glucose levels, which over time contribute to the development of complications
- low glucose levels, or ‘hypos’, which can be distressing and in extreme cases can lead to a coma or death.
Two funded projects
Diabetes UK-funded researchers at the University of Cambridge are currently working on two projects to tailor the artificial pancreas system for adults with Type 1 diabetes, and for women with Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy.
Dr Roman Hovorka at the University of Cambridge is working on a five-and-a-half-year project to generate a first-generation artificial pancreas prototype and evaluate its ability to improve blood glucose control at home and reduce the risk of overnight hypos in adults with Type 1 diabetes. Dr Hovorka’s project is costing a total of £700,526.
Also at the University of Cambridge, Dr Helen Murphy is leading on a five-year project to adapt the artificial pancreas to control blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This research could drastically reduce cases of stillbirth and mortality rates among pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes. Dr Murphy’s project is costing a total of £501,689.
Latest results
Dr Roman Hovorka
In April 2011, Dr Hovorka published encouraging results from two studies evaluating the performance of the artificial pancreas compared with conventional treatment in 10 men and 14 women with Type 1 diabetes.
The studies showed a 22 per cent improvement in the time that participants kept their blood glucose levels in a safe range, halving the time they spent with low blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of both short and long term complications.
At the end of 2012, Dr Hovorka’s team began recruiting participants for a clinical trial to evaluate how an artificial pancreas prototype performs in the home environment. Five participants have now spent four weeks using the artificial pancreas at night, which is a time when blood glucose levels can fall too low. In total, 24 people will take part in the trial and will use the artificial pancreas at night for four weeks, while using standard therapy for another four weeks. The results of the trial are expected by the end of 2013.
"Revolutionising blood glucose control"
Dr Roman Hovorka said, "The artificial pancreas has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes, by revolutionising blood glucose control at home and by lowering their risk of an overnight hypo. We’re excited to be making progress with this research and look forward to bringing this important device one step closer to the clinic."
"It felt like I was on holiday"
Mark Wareham, 42, from Cambridge, has had Type 1 diabetes for 27 years. He normally uses an insulin pump to control his condition, and took part in the trial early in 2013.
Mark said, “I am so glad I took part in this trial as I don’t think I would have believed what a positive outcome the artificial pancreas may have on people with Type 1 diabetes otherwise. I felt fantastic and my energy levels were through the roof.
Sense of stability
"I was hoping to see some physical benefits of using the artificial pancreas device, but I wasn’t at all prepared for the additional psychological and emotional benefits of the trial. It felt like I was on holiday for the whole month’s duration. Waking up almost every day of the month’s trial with blood glucose levels within their target range was something new for me, and gave me a sense of stability I don’t get just by using the insulin pump.
"Although it may be a while until the artificial pancreas is available for everyone with Type 1 diabetes, ongoing research like this is taking us closer to breakthrough moments in treating this condition."
Dr Helen Murphy
In January 2011, Dr Murphy published results from a small study of 10 pregnant women, with an average age of 31 and with Type 1 diabetes.
The artificial pancreas system was able to automatically calculate the right amount of insulin at the right time, maintain near normal blood glucose levels and, in turn, prevent nocturnal hypoglycaemia in both early and late pregnancy.
In December 2011, her team also demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the system in pregnant women over a 24-hour period, including during and after moderate exercise. Women using the system achieved glucose levels within the recommended target range for over 19 hours per day (comparable to the very best control achieved using insulin pump therapy) and the system helped to protect against extreme low blood glucose levels.
Like Dr Hovorka, Dr Murphy is currently working to move the artificial pancreas out of the hospital and into the home.