Advertisement

		Ask the Diabetes Team	Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Question: From Kentucky, USA: Is there a device that is in the prototype stage that both monitors diabetes and also injects insulin if the reading is at a certain level? Answer: As you are probably aware, there's been lots of activity recently to try to develop a device to measure blood sugar without a finger stick. But you're asking for a device that would also be capable of analyzing the sugar level, and deciding how much insulin should be given, which is a much more complicated concept. It would need some sort of computer, and a software program called an "algorithm," to decide when, and how much, insulin to give. Interestingly, there has been such a device available since the 1980's, if you've got a spare US$40,000 or so and a full-time technician to baby-sit the device: it was called the Biostator. Obviously, it never really did too much, except in research studies or other short-term uses like in the operating room. (Actually, it turned out to be cheaper to have a nurse check fingerstick blood sugar tests every few minutes, and change the rate of insulin delivery based on algorithms that he/she had written out, rather than trusting the machine. I once had a almost-new Biostattor donated to me, and lost it. I really haven't missed it at all.) There are currently several companies working on improved, miniaturized, long-term-use versions of these devices: Let's hope they're simpler to use! Actually, if you think about the complexity (and the cost) of these devices, the concept of using diabetes education to create a well-trained patient, plus using fingerstick blood sugar testing and insulin shots or a insulin pump, plus a diabetes team to back the patient up, works pretty well (and is very cheap by comparison). WWQ Original posting 16 Nov 96

Advertisement

Not Helpful  1 2 3 4 5  Very Helpful                  E-mail Page     Print Format
			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Sun Jan 15 12:01:28 2006
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.

This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Legal Notice and Privacy Policy.
© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2009. Comments and Feedback.