MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Glucagon Device for Diabetes Emergency Care

                                         MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Glucagon Device for Diabetes Emergency Care

Source

Nature Biomedical Engineering (Published: July 9, 2023)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research

Summary

MIT researchers have developed an innovative implantable device that can automatically detect and treat dangerous hypoglycemic events in Type 1 diabetes patients. The quarter-sized device contains a stable powdered glucagon reservoir that remains under the skin until needed. When blood sugar drops to dangerous levels, the device can be triggered wirelessly to release glucagon within minutes, preventing life-threatening complications. The technology has shown success in animal studies and may also be adapted for epinephrine delivery for allergic emergencies. Clinical trials are anticipated within three years.

Content

For individuals living with Type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia presents a constant life-threatening danger. Traditional glucagon injections require recognition of symptoms and manual administration, creating particular challenges for children, those with hypoglycemia unawareness, and during sleep episodes.

MIT engineers have addressed this critical gap in diabetes care with a breakthrough implantable device designed to provide automatic emergency protection. The innovative system features:

• A quarter-sized reservoir implant that stores stable powdered glucagon

• A shape-memory alloy seal that releases medication when heated to 40°C

• Wireless triggering capability that can integrate with continuous glucose monitors

• Rapid response time of under 10 minutes to reverse hypoglycemia

• Potential for multiple doses and long-term implantation

The technology represents a significant advancement in emergency diabetes care, offering peace of mind to patients and families who live with the constant fear of severe hypoglycemia. Beyond diabetes applications, researchers demonstrated the platform's versatility by successfully testing epinephrine delivery for cardiac and allergic emergencies.

With funding from the Helmsley Charitable Trust and National Institutes of Health, the research team is now pursuing extended animal studies and preparing for human clinical trials within the next three years. This implantable emergency response system could fundamentally transform how we manage diabetes emergencies and other critical medical situations requiring immediate intervention.