New MIT implant prevents fatal hypoglycemia in diabetics

A new emergency sensor for Type 1 diabetes patients could help prevent fatalities resulting from hypoglycemic episodes in users who are underage, asleep, or unable to inject themselves promptly. The MIT-developed sensor is placed under the skin and triggers a glucagon response when blood sugar levels drop to dangerous levels. Glucagon is a hormone that stimulates the liver to release stored glucose to maintain blood sugar levels within the appropriate range.

Hypoglycemia is a constant danger for patients with Type 1 diabetes, when glucose levels drop below the recommended level. In these situations, patients usually know they need to inject themselves with glucagon, but this may not always be possible, especially for younger patients or those who are asleep. "This is a small, emergency device [about the size of a small coin] that can be implanted under the skin and is ready to go when blood sugar levels drop (...) Our goal was to build a device that is always ready to go to protect patients from low blood sugar levels," Daniel Anderson, the professor who led the study, told Interesting Engineering .

To create the device, the team used a 3D-printed polymer drug reservoir sealed with a shape-memory alloy that responds to heat. This component rolls up and opens when exposed to 40 degrees Celsius, releasing the substance inside. The stored glucagon is in powder form, as it can lose its effectiveness in a liquid state. An antenna tuned to a specific radio frequency allows for wireless external activation, while a small electrical current heats the metal to release the hormone. Siddarth Kishnan, another of the authors, explains that the implant can be connected to continuous glucose monitoring technologies, something many patients already use, to facilitate its integration and use.

In tests on diabetic rats, the implants took less than ten minutes to release glucagon and stabilize blood sugar levels. The tests included the administration of epinephrine, with the drug also entering circulation within ten minutes, demonstrating potential use in preventing heart attacks or severe allergic reactions. In the laboratory, the implants were found to continue functioning even four weeks after insertion, and researchers plan to explore their use for over a year. Testing in humans and other animals could begin within three years.