The project called 'Telemetic artificial pancreas' investigates the possibility of achieving metabolic control of the diabetic patient at any time and place, as presented in the Symposium 'New Technologies, Communication and Diabetes', organized by the Diabetes Foundation.
As explained by the experts who participated in the meeting, the artificial telemeal pancreas is the most advanced technology for the control of diabetes.Through a Personal Assistant (PDA) available to the patient, a glucose sensor that continuously measures the blood sugar level transmits the information to a continuous insulin infusion pump that, automatically programmed in real time with algorithms, respondsdepending on the glucose levels detected by the sensor.
The executive director of the Foundation, María del Carmen Marín, said that, "without a doubt, to know the latest advances and research in technological solutions, such as the telemeic artificial pancreas, which contribute on the one hand, a greater quality of life to the personWith diabetes and on the other, better control, and consequently, lower possibilities of developing other pathologies, are of great interest. "
Although the final purpose of the research is to replace the functions of deteriorated measure and control in the pancreas of a person with diabetes, there are currently a series of scientific-technological challenges to achieve an artificial pancreas for non-hospitable use, among which it stands outThe adjusting the algorithms to be able to deal with the glucose increases derived from food intake, as well as delays to the extent of glucose and insulin absorption, according to the specialists.
Therefore, several experts are currently working on semi-automatic control, so called because the control algorithms do not work automatically but use information on the intakes that the patient performs in a process carried out under medical supervision, thanks to telemedicine andThus, little by little, advance in the so -called "Telemetic artificial pancreas".
Other challenges are the achievement of continuous glucose sensors of greater reliability and usability, automatic insulin pump program or the demonstration of the use of safe control algorithms that can function in an outpatient basis.
During this symposium the presence of diabetes on the Internet was also addressed, and forums stood out as a possible "virtual" substitute for self -help groups, since the anonymity provided by the network allows greater freedom to express feelings.
Finally, in the symposium 'Carol has diabetes', an educational project that aims to inform teachers and classmates with diabetes in primary education about the disease and its treatment, and thus encourage the full integration of the childIn the school environment.
This initiative of the Diabetes Foundation, whose protagonist is based on a girl in real life with diabetes, is formed by different educational materials, among which an animated film, and didactic sheets.All this, with a language that adapts to the chronological age of the children of the classroom where it will be developed, using as referents the cycles in which primary education in Spain is divided.