Medicine has been a field that has evolved enormously thanks to the advancement and development of technology. Now there are many systems that allow early detection of diseases to consequently initiate treatment. In addition, new ways of treating certain diseases have also been discovered, going beyond conventional treatments. On this occasion, people with diabetes could use this method that provides insulin instead of resorting to the typical prick.
A group of Italian researchers has created a robot that would be able to provide people with diabetes with a dose of insulin without the need for any type of injection. This machine consists of two parts: an internal insulin dispenser that a doctor would implant in the patient’s abdomen through a surgical operation, and a magnetic capsule that is loaded with the hormone.
A method with a lot of potential
It is called PILLSID. Each time the insulin runs out and the dispenser needs to be refilled, the person can swallow the capsule so that it travels through the patient’s digestive system until it finally reaches the area where the device is implanted, near the small intestine. .
Using magnets, the device rotates the capsule into position and then pierces it with a retractable needle and pumps the insulin fill into a reservoir.
The good news is that the dispenser fills wirelessly, thus limiting the interventions that the surgeon must perform to maintain the device.
Then, once the capsule is empty, it works its way through the intestines until it is finally expelled.
The system still needs to be developed
This form of insulin injection for diabetics could be an alternative for people who have to regulate their blood sugar level. It is a mechanism that is less intrusive and has the potential to deliver other life-saving drugs.
To check the proper functioning of the robot, tests were carried out with three diabetic pigs. It was found that her insulin levels were easily controlled for a few hours.
However, the pigs’ body fluids were found to leak into the robot, so the team is already working to better optimize the system and better seal it to avoid these problems.
This novel system has yet to undergo further testing and further development prior to use in the medical field. Even so, it is likely that this type of device that meets medical needs from within the body itself will gradually become more common.