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Artificial Pancreas

Sounds like an interesting concept, I'd rather wait until it was proven safe, but if it was proven to work and be fully safe I'd happily take one!
 
Yes definitely, exciting times ahead :)
 
It seems to be a more techno pump, I think cost would be a stumbling block but yes I would
 
ElyDave said:
a - I'm not that clever and
b - anything that I take onto a petrochem/refining/offshore site needs to be pukka, not a Tupperware box of bits and pieces I've soldered together
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Then you'll be waiting for the Medtronic 670g, which purports to do this (and the 640g is supposed to be upgradeable to the same firmware)....
 
Read the article and not sure I get this. Is it basically an insulin pump that talks to a cgm?

If this is the case, would the system need to be reactive? I.e it only releases insulin in relation to higher glucose readings. Due to the delay in cgm readings and insulin absorption it seems to me like the system would be constantly playing catch up?
 
Griffter15 said:
Read the article and not sure I get this. Is it basically an insulin pump that talks to a cgm?

If this is the case, would the system need to be reactive? I.e it only releases insulin in relation to higher glucose readings. Due to the delay in cgm readings and insulin absorption it seems to me like the system would be constantly playing catch up?
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APs typically have a prediction algorithm. This takes the data presented to it and estimates where the blood glucose is going. It also monitors where it actually is and elects to apply insulin or stop insulin dependent on where it thinks the glucose level will end up. (The medtronic approach)

There is also a version that is undergoing more testing, which applies glucagon as the bg levels drop too low, bringing levels back up in the event of a hypo. (The UVA approach).
 
tim2000s said:
APs typically have a prediction algorithm. This takes the data presented to it and estimates where the blood glucose is going. It also monitors where it actually is and elects to apply insulin or stop insulin dependent on where it thinks the glucose level will end up. (The medtronic approach)

There is also a version that is undergoing more testing, which applies glucagon as the bg levels drop too low, bringing levels back up in the event of a hypo. (The UVA approach).
Click to expand...
It's a scary thought letting a computer take control of your insulin dosing. I wander how it would react to a high carb meal followed by exercise. The glucagon would be a good feature although I think I read that it doesn't work if liver stores are low e.g. after prolonged exercise.

I think I'd let others try this for a few years before I gave it a go.

I wander what kind of control they are hoping to achieve in terms of hba1c.
 
Griffter15 said:
It's a scary thought letting a computer take control of your insulin dosing. I wander how it would react to a high carb meal followed by exercise. The glucagon would be a good feature although I think I read that it doesn't work if liver stores are low e.g. after prolonged exercise.

I think I'd let others try this for a few years before I gave it a go.

I wander what kind of control they are hoping to achieve in terms of hba1c.
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It's not really any different to blindly following the bolus wizard data as many already do.
 
I'd love to see the nhs pay for that :P it would be nice for an easy way out though. I've heard talks also of real time blood glucose monitors in development I'd settle for one of those
 
tim2000s said:
It's not really any different to blindly following the bolus wizard data as many already do.
Click to expand...
I rather agree with Griffter15: I wouldn't like to have a computer do all the job. First, because I can't even wear a wristwatch without it stopping within a couple of hours. I tried a CGM several times, but no way: it won't work more than a couple of days (best-case scenario).
Then, because I take insulin and food decisions also accordingly to what I am going to do in the following hours – or days -, and I know what my plans are, while the AP doesn't.
Last but not least, I'd rather not turn into a sort of robot with electronic devices deciding and acting in my place about a very tricky function of my body. I know I'll never get to be a perfect or even a good substitute for my pancreas, but I prefer using my human capabilities, with all the possible mistakes and all, than just letting a device take on all responsibility. Also, when I get something wrong at least I know what was my reasoning (and I can learn to do better… or not). But how can I know why the AP did so and so?
I can see the advantage of an AP only if I got very ill and incapable of taking care of myself… but I'm sure it would kill me fast and easy, then. Summing it up, I was never very keen on any approach regarding a human body as a machine or a device, be it complex as it may. I consider it an organism, a whole that is much more than the mere sum of its parts. And I think we still don't know enough about the interplay of all the factors involved, really...
And finally: the more complex a device is, the faster it'll start having some problems or other. I'm still more dependable.
 
And you get on a plane which is mostly flown by a computer to go on holiday. That's far more complex than an AP!
 
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