Like pacemaker, a Bionic Pancreas device for diabetics by 2017

Mysuru :

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said that a permanent cure would be found to diabetes in three years.

Speaking at the recently held valedictory of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) Golden Jubilee celebrations here, the former President hailed the stem cell research by Harvard University which led to the production of insulin secreting beta cells in the pancreas.

He said it was one of the breakthroughs in modern day science.

Dr. Kalam said that scientists had successfully managed to produce insulin generating beta cell, which could provide permanent cure for diabetes that has troubled majority of population across the world.

He also added that studies were still on to know the reasons for the pancreatic cells to stop producing insulin.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), accounts for 5 to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar (glucose), which they need to produce energy.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age. It most commonly becomes apparent during adulthood. But type 2 diabetes in children is rising.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people who have diabetes — 90 to 95 out of 100 people. In type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.

US device to overcome diabetes

Ed Damiano, a professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University, has made it his mission to build a portable, wearable Bionic Pancreas, a device he hopes to have on the market as early as 2017, when David, his son, is set to go off to college.

David was diagnosed for Type 1 diabetes when he was two-months-old by Dr. Toby Milgrome, his mother.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – April 03rd, 2015