Artificial Pancreas

Artificial pancreas system is a device made for people living with diabetes. This device system helps keep glucose levels within an acceptable range.

Automated insulin delivery (AID) is definitely not a cure for diabetes, at least not now. But it helps a lot to manage diabetes and makes diabetes patients lives easier. AID is made to act and do the job a pancreas has to do for Type 1 diabetes patients; with a condition where the body destroys the insulin- producing cells.


An AID (Automated insulin delivery) comes in 3 parts:

  1. An insulin pump
  2. Algorithm
  3. CGM( Continuous glucose monitor)
All of them together adjusts insulin delivery automatically.

Technology and scientists has to be given the credit for this beautiful invention. According to NIDDK, the first experimental artificial pancreas was developed in 1964. The device—about the size of a large backpack—measured blood glucose levels and delivered insulin intravenously and thus was not intended for everyday use in free-living conditions.

Every part of the AID system has its own unique roles and rules.

How does the insulin pump work?


Usually standard insulin pumps are semi-automated smart devices optimized to deliver insulin through a tiny catheter thats inserted into the skin and changed every three days. This type of insulin pump is hand-on and doesn't communicate with a CGM for automatic insulin adjustments.
An insulin pumps gives two rapid or short-acting insulin in two ways.

  • Basal- A small background dose of insulin that is continuously infusing
  • Bolus- Insulin take for meals or to correct a rising or high blood glucose level

How does pancreas Algorithm work?

According to oxford dictionary, An algorithm is a set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operation, especially by a computer.

That's exactly what it is, but in this case, this type of algorithm is responsible for reading and observing glucose levels, follow the rules like "ring the alarm when the sugar levels get to a certain point" or  "read all the sugar level fluctuations". 
In simple words, Algorithm is the intelligence behind how the whole system of artificial pancreas work.


How does CGM (Continuous glucose monitor work)?

A CGM is a device that automatically monitors blood glucose also called 'blood sugar' every minutes throughout the day and night. One good factor about the CGM is that it makes it easy for for the users to see their glucose levels in real time, anytime of the day.
A CGM  is put on the skin, usually on the belly or the arm. As the glucose levels fluctuate and captured by the sensors, a transmitter wirelessly send the information to a monitor
Our trusted researchers Plos one have given out a fully detailed article on the development platform for artificial pancreas algorithms. Make sure to look at it and see how pancreas algorithms are structured.


With the rate technology is elevating currently, in no time all these devices will be merged into 1 very tiny unnoticeable device linked to a smartphone, just wait and watch.


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