most people with type 1 diabetes inject insulin to prevent high blood sugar, but dangerously low blood sugar can cause confusion, seizures, and death. current emergency treatment sometimes relies on syringes of glucagon that patients or caregivers must inject when hypoglycemia occurs, which can be difficult if a person is unconscious or asleep. mit engineers set out to create an alternative that can act even when patients do not realize they are becoming hypoglycemic.
the implantable device described by the researchers is about the size of a quarter and contains a polymer reservoir filled with powdered glucagon. the reservoir is sealed with a material engineered to change shape when heated. an integrated antenna allows a user or external system to send a wireless signal that activates a small electrical current, heating the seal until it bends and releases the drug. because the device can receive wireless signals, it could be set to trigger automatically from a glucose monitor or activated remotely by a caregiver. daniel anderson, the study´s senior author, said the goal was to build a device that is always ready to protect patients.
the researchers have successfully tested the implant in mice. they also note the approach could be adapted to other emergency medications such as epinephrine to treat heart attacks or prevent anaphylactic shock. potential uses highlighted include protecting patients during sleep, providing emergency dosing for children who cannot inject themselves, and offering an always-ready safeguard against severe hypoglycemia without requiring immediate manual injection.
