Unfortunately insulin shots, pens and pumps fail to perfectly manage blood sugar in many children, which may lead to long-term complications.
For the last two decades, Dr. Papas has been working on a solution to this problem. In collaboration with other scientists across the nation, the University of Arizona researcher has been developing a tiny, implantable device that senses glucose levels and releases insulin when needed.
Now, with a two-year, $1.2 million grant from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Dr. Papas will continue to perfect and test his device in preparation for clinical trials in humans.
“This is an incredible example of the kind of innovative and collaborative research that is taking place on the UA campus that has only recently become possible with the convergence of the physical, biological and digital worlds,” said Dr. Robbins, President of the University of Arizona-Tucson. “The work that Dr. Papas and his team are doing to help children with diabetes is a great example of using new technology to significantly improve quality of life for patients . . . ”
For more information, see Implantable ‘Tea Bag’ in Development Releases Insulin for Children with Diabetes