MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas Tested

Prof. Moshe Phillip, director of the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Schneider  Children's Medical Center, demonstrates MD-Logic on a young patient.

The MD-Logic, developed by Eran Atlas along with Prof. Moshe Phillip, Dr. Revital Nimri and Shahar Miller of the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Tel Aviv, mimics the workings of the pancreas, monitoring blood sugar levels and delivering insulin automatically, even at night.

The MD-Logic is the first system of its kind to be tried outside the hospital with resounding success.  Recently the researchers set up a control room at a hotel where 18 Israeli children between the ages of 12 and 15 attended a 3 day camp for children with diabetes.

In type 1 (insulin-dependent, juvenile-onset) diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce or release insulin as it should, so, in turn, the body can't metabolize sugars properly, meaning, blood sugar levels need continuous monitoring, even while sleeping, when blood sugar readings can get out of control.

The MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas, that "thinks like a doctor", consists of a glucose sensor and an insulin pump connected to a laptop computer that can be carried in a backpack or set beside the bed, monitoring information and stipulating the amount of insulin to be released in order to maintain blood glucose balance.

The next stage is to test the device under supervised conditions in the home setting.

The researchers believe that the MD-Logic will give kids with diabetes and the adults who supervise them, a worry-free night's sleep.

Before being sold in the US, the MD-Logic will need the approval of the FDA.

Source:  Artificial Pancreas Could Revolutionize Diabetic Care

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