Diabetes UK is proud to be funding two ground-breaking research projects which aim to develop and test an artificial pancreas device for use in adults with Type 1 diabetes.
How the artificial pancreas works
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 those 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, and 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 four-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 three-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 results from two studies evaluating the performance of the artificial pancreas in 10 men and 14 women with Type 1 diabetes, aged 18 to 65.
The studies showed a 22 per cent improvement in the time 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 term and long term complications.
Dr Hovorka’s team has now started evaluating how the artificial pancreas performs in the home setting.
More information about Dr Hovorka's work.
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.
In this study, 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.
More about Dr Murphy's work
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