So let’s talk about the magic of the artificial pancreas.

While I can;t give any specifics about the algorithm itself (I can’t understand it anyway), I can speak to the results.

Dinner Last Night – At 6pm I consumed approximately 100 carbs or so with no pre-meal bolus.  Because the Algorithm and had not spent much time together, it has to “learn” how my body works.  It began administering insulin based on the readings from the Navigator CGM.  It took approximately 6 hours for my blood glucose to get back to 120, after peaking at about 270.

Breakfast This Morning – Again, at 7:30am, I consumed approximately 100 carbs with no pre-meal bolus.  The algorithm has learned enough about me so that my blood glucose is 113 after 2.5 hours after peaking at 245.

Big difference.  This is the Magic Math that runs the Artificial Pancreas and drives care to an A1c between 6.5-7 for adults and 7-7.5 for kids with less than 1% of hypoglycemia below 70.  The algorithm continues learn base on past experiences, over the last few days and works to better itself.

Kind of sounds like what we do everyday, but without the emotion, frustration, exhaustion and with consistency that only a computer can provide.

I am more encouraged now about this device now than I ever have been.  I new I wanted it.  Now I want it even more.

These are the guys that wrote the code for the algorithm that makes the artificial pump work.
El-Khatib (L)
Edward Damiano (R)

Why are 2 guys with a background in fluid flow in blood vessels writing code for this AP? Because Ed’s son was diagnosed with T1D 13 years ago. Ed wants this artificial pancreas in place before his son goes to college so that he and his wife can sleep.

You can read more about their project at:
www.artificialpancreas.org

Ok sports fans, I just spent the night with my blood glucose levels flat lined between 80-120. Didn’t have to work for it. Unbelievable.

I just can’t stop thinking about how awesome this is going to be once it’s on the commercial market.

Mom’s all over will be able to sleep. Yeah, that would be good, imagine the world with less cranky moms.

Imagine how good A1c’s would be, and therefore, how many fewer complications, hospital stays and in general, improve standard of living.

Yes, I know, “really, Mike, how tough is T1D? It sure doesn’t look tough.”

It doesn’t look tough, because we do it, and don’t complain because we just want to fit in and enjoy life. When our blood sugar is low, we treat; when it’s high, we bolus. But what goes along with that is the feeling of high or low blood sugar that we have to live through regardless. AND, the knowledge that every little bit of improper blood glucose levels could help lead to possible complications.

Oh, and once the artificial pancreas is in place, commercially available, then the new standard of care is set. JDRF driven research has driven a huge advancement. At this point, resources normally allocated for the treatment portion of the research triangle can then be allocated towards a cure. MORE $ towards a cure. There’s a ton of $ being spent on cure research now, but in this case, more is better.

Well, for the first time in almost 30 years, I am going to bed without having to worry about what my blood glucose is.

My blood glucose levels, almost 2 hours after dinner have risen to the 240’s. Keep in mind, this is without a meal bolus. The AP is providing me with insulin every 5 minutes based on the algorithm, it’s historical data and what my blood glucose is. Tomorrow should be a lot better once it’s learns how my body reacts to meals.