- MIT scientists have developed an implantable device that delivers glucagon automatically during episodes of severe hypoglycaemia.
- The device can store multiple doses of powdered glucagon and release them remotely, without injections.
- This approach could significantly improve safety, especially during sleep or for young children with type 1 diabetes.
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a groundbreaking tiny implant designed to safeguard people with type 1 diabetes from dangerous episodes of low blood sugar, known as hypoglycaemia.
Currently, managing type 1 diabetes involves daily insulin injections to control blood glucose levels.
However, insulin can sometimes cause glucose levels to fall too low, resulting in confusion, seizures or even death if untreated.
While glucagon injections can reverse hypoglycaemia, administering them can be challenging, especially for young children or during sleep.
The new MIT device, roughly the size of a 10p coin, stores glucagon in a powdered form, ensuring long-term stability. When blood sugar falls dangerously low, the implant releases glucagon automatically, either triggered by the patient or through continuous glucose monitoring systems.
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The glucagon is stored inside a reservoir sealed by a special shape-memory metal alloy.
When remotely activated via wireless signals, the alloy heats up slightly, bends and releases the medication directly under the skin. Researchers successfully tested the implant in mice, where it raised blood sugar to safe levels within 10 minutes.
The team has also shown that the device can release other emergency medications such as adrenaline, which can treat allergic reactions or heart attacks.
Currently, the implant lasts up to four weeks, but researchers aim to extend this period significantly, potentially up to a year or longer.
“This device provides emergency treatment precisely when it’s needed, without requiring an injection,” said Professor Daniel Anderson, senior author of the study. “It has the potential to reduce fear and anxiety for patients and their families.”
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Further studies and clinical trials are planned, with hopes of human testing within three years. The researchers believe their innovation could pave the way for safer diabetes management, offering life-saving reassurance for patients and families.
The findings were published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
