JDRF to help develop insulin pump worn on the skin like a plaster

[DCUK NewsBot]

Work has started on developing a flexible insulin patch pump that people with diabetes can wear on their skin like a plaster. Type 1 diabetes charity JDRF has partnered with US medical technology start-up Med Cam to develop the Evopump, which will be the size of a business card and just six millimetres thick. The pump’s flexible material means it can be worn over the skin, with thin materials encased inside the pump helping to deliver precise amounts of insulin through a cannula. JDRF says the Evopump will make it easier for people with diabetes to administer insulin because it will be more comfortable and discreet than existing pumps. It has been estimated that once fully working, the device may be worn for up to a week at a time. Dr Jaime Giraldo, JDRF program scientist for research, said: "The Evopump represents the type of miniaturised and user-centric design that could substantially reduce the burden of living with type 1 diabetes and remove obstacles preventing some people, particularly children, from using devices that could improve their glucose management." The Evopump is likely to appeal to people who are put off wearing insulin pumps because of their size, visibility and cost. Researchers are now working hard on developing technology that will oversee the precise delivery of insulin, ensuring it is small enough so it can be encased within the flexible material of the device. Larry Alberts, Cam Med’s chief executive officer, said: "This partnership with JDRF enables Cam Med to accelerate the development and commercialisation of the Evopump, and we’re looking forward to it becoming the core delivery platform for future [artificial pancreas] systems."

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