Hyderabad: The development of bio-artificial pancreas which can be implanted in diabetic patients to manage the disease has been successfully tested on mice and pigs at the Indian Institute of Technology’s chemical engineering department in Mumbai.
The bio-artificial pancreas is a device made using the polymer based hollow fibre which will be fitted near the pancreas. It is found to grow and sustain cells which produce insulin. It can be inserted in the abdominal muscles.
Dr Shyam K, senior endocrinologist said, “In type 1 diabetes, artificial pancreas will help to treat the patient better. In 2019, a pharmaceutical company from United States of America is launching an external device which will do the function of artificial pancreas.”
Dr Ramesh Sharma, senior endocrinologist said, “The review of the artificial device in clinical trials has been encouraging. The body immune system has also not attacked the device. Hence using the right kind of material which is presently being used in implants by being compatible with the body will work positively. It will pave the way for better management of diabetes.”
