They're working on developing a closed loop system where readings from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) are used to directly control an insulin pump. Currently those of us with CGMs and insulin pumps have got an open loop system, we need to take the readings from the CGM and decide whether we need insulin or food.
Clearly this is a difficult problem to solve. How would such a system know if you were sick? What would it do when you're about to exercise? How would it handle changing insulin needs for children who are growing?
Now you have a chance to learn more about this project. On July 21st and 22nd the FDA, NIH and JDRF are holding a public workshop 'focused upon the state of the art in the research and development of an artificial pancreas'.
The meeting will be in Bethesda Maryland at the NIH campus. Building 38A on this map. Space is limited so you do need to register.
I would love to go to this workshop, but I'll be out of the country.
Can I ask you a favor? If you go the workshop can you write up a summary of what's discussed and post it to the blogosphere?
Attribution: The illustration above is from the JDRF site.
An article in today's Washington Post reports on research that has found stem cells in the pancreas of mice. I'm not sure whether it matters, but it appears these were regular mice or NOD (non-obese diabetes) mice.
"This demonstrates a stem cell repair mechanism in the pancreas that, if we understand it more, then we can help develop more cures with either transplantation or with drugs that can increase the body's own stem cells and beta cells," said Paul Sanberg, director of the University of South Florida Center for Aging and Brain Repair in Tampa.
I think this is another example of research that can contribute to thinking differently about how our pancreases truly work. It may be a long time before this research leads to human treatment, but it's another step in the right direction.
I've had type 1 diabetes for a long time and I've spent much of that time hoping for, and thinking about, a possible cure for diabetes. But I'm also very interested in the research that JDRF is doing on an artificial pancreas.
I can understand how a closed loop between a continuous glucose monitoring system and an insulin pump could work to control my basal (background insulin) rate. But I really didn't see how it might also be possible to effectively give boluses (larger doses for meals or BG correction) with such a system.
Yesterday I stumbled across a short paper in Diabetes Care, Detection of a Meal using CGM. The authors describe a Meal Detection Algorithm that allows them to detect a meal about 30 minutes after the person has started eating!
It's not perfect - but we already know that's true for most of diabetes care. Uf this brings the Artificial Pancreas a little closer and make diabetes treatment a little easier, I'll take it.
Insulin is not a cure. But automatic insulin delivery is a step in the right direction.
Update: There will be a workshop with updates from the artificial pancreas project in late July 2008.
Today officials at the American Diabetes Association expressed surprise that CRAP seems to have become the new name for what was previously known as Type 1 diabetes.
Speaking off the record a senior member of ADA staff was puzzled to know what CRAP even stood for.
Readers of this blog may know that the abbreviation was first coined in a discussion on the popular TuDiabetes social networking site. CRAP stands for "Catastrophic Ruthless Attack on the Pancreas"
It's rumored that someone started a Google bombing campaign to replace Google's normal results for the word CRAP with the ADA page for Type 1 diabetes. This was done as a protest against the ongoing problem that the media has in distinguishing between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
To quote a top ADA official (name withheld) "If this disease renaming continues we'll be forced to change current medical texts so they now refer to the two primary types of diabetes as CRAP and Type 2. And what happens if someone then decides to rename Type 2 to Number 2? Imagine the confusion."
They fail to recognize that many people, including many media people, are already confused so much that they don't even realize there are two main forms of diabetes that are radically different to one another. Perhaps this renaming will clear things up - a bit.
Diabetes365 day 5 Oct. 12th 2007 - Diabetes Detritus
Diabetes is a high maintenance disease - it takes a lot to replace a working pancreas. For today's picture I took most of the stuff out that I either carry with me, or have as backup in my office.
As you can see, there's a lot of stuff there.
When I was a child I was into all sorts of gadgets. Now I get to live with these on a daily basis.
The standard cry when we're leaving the house to go anywhere is "do you have your kit" or "Dad can't find his kit". And everyone knows it's the Eagle Creek black bag that has all my stuff. We don't leave home without it.
All of this technology is needed to replace my non-working pancreas. I'm thrilled that it exists and that I have the health insurance coverage to afford it. But I'd trade it in for a real pancreas any day of the week.
Unfortunately currently there isn't a cure for diabetes. But I do my best to support the research for a cure.
I came across a report from the BBC about work on an artificial pancreas in Cambridge, England.
Apparently trials are currently being done on 12 children aged from 5 to 18. The work involves a continuous glucose monitor that's fitted under the skin, though it's not clear who makes this.
The research is led by Dr. Roman Hovorka, and it seems as if they're making real progress. I also came across slides and audio for a presentation that he gave.
This is all part of the artificial pancreas project being led by JDRF. Sounds like this project will lead to some interesting treatment options.
The Diabetes Technology Blog is focused on using technology to life better with diabetes. I review: blood glucose monitors; continuous glucose monitor; blood sugar meters; diabetes software and living with diabetes.
About Me
Name: Bernard Farrell
Location: Massachusetts, United States
I was born in Ireland and now live in the US.
I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 35 years. I struggle with my blood sugar, the same as most people with diabetes.
I wear a Cozmo 1800 insulin pump and a Dexcom SEVEN CGM to track my blood glucose levels. I also take Symlin to help control my post-meal blood sugars.
I'm blessed by God, and every day brings the possibility of a cure.
They're working on developing a closed loop system where readings from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) are used to directly control an insulin pump. Currently those of us with CGMs and insulin pumps have got an open loop system, we need to take the readings from the CGM and decide whether we need insulin or food.
