The Development of the Bionic Pancreas

The Development of the Bionic Pancreas Dr. Travis Stork: Our next futuristic implant, it’s something that could actually help create a bionic pancreas. Now, it is still in development but it could potentially change the way people with type 1 diabetes go about their daily lives. The pancreas is such a very important organ. It lies in your abdomen, just behind your stomach and one of the things that you’ll see in this animation, there are areas inside the pancreas that control through hormones, insulin and glucagons, the level of your blood sugar. And then folks with type 1 diabetes, there is actually damage to those cells that do create insulin and so, type 1 diabetics don’t have insulin to keep blood sugar levels down which is why this whole concept of an artificial pancreas is so exciting. We actually have on the phone with us the Vice President and Director of Glucose Control Research at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Aaron Kowalski and he is working on this artificial pancreas project as we speak. Aaron welcome to the show. Aaron Kowalski: Thanks for having me. Dr. Travis Stork: So, explain this project to us if you would. Aaron Kowalski: What we’re trying to do with the artificial pancreas is take existing technologies. These are insulin pumps which are small devices that pump insulin into people and continuous glucose monitors which monitor glucose levels all day long, tie them together and make a bionic pancreas. The end result I think would be two incredibly important things. One would be improved glucose levels, reducing the risk for those terrible diabetic complications but really also improving the quality of life of people with type 1 diabetes, easing the burden, it’s just such a growing disease to manage. Dr. Travis Stork: And then we have a lot of viewers who do have diabetes, how long until this artificial pancreas may be available? Aaron Kowalski: I think we’re going to see them in stages. I think in the near term, we’re going to see devices in the next year so that reduce the risks for low blood sugar, severe hypoglycemia then in the next three or four years, we’ll see the first automated devices that those insulin some of the time which will be a tremendous advance for people with diabetes. Dr. Travis Stork: Well, we appreciate all the hard work you’re putting, furthering the future of medicine, thank you Aaron. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Thank you. Dr. Jim Sears: And this is so great because usually type 1 diabetes happens in childhood and instead of a lifelong of shots, this technology will be amazing and life changing. Dr. Travis Stork: So, I love this. This is so cool.