If I could wear a smart patch on my chest that would transfer to my lungs the medication they needed to function while having asthma, I would jump at the chance. It’s so inconvenient having to constantly carry an inhaler with me, taking a puff of it in the morning followed by a puff at night. I am forced to worry about taking the wrong inhaler, or too much of it when I still can’t breathe, while also having to deal with a racing heart and the shakes. Always worrying about those things tends to take away from the enjoyment of everyday life. If I leave the house without my medication, I am forced to go back for it. It would be wonderful if I didn’t have to worry anymore. I imagine that people with diabetes feel similar to the way I do. They must take insulin shots and often check their blood and glucose levels. Luckily for them, a new smart insulin patch might enhance their quality of life.
Innovative Smart Insulin Patch for Diabetics
The number of people currently with diabetes worldwide is somewhere around 370 million, a number that is only expected to rise in the coming years. To an outsider, this disease might seem somewhat manageable. However, the truth is that a diabetic walks a thin line between the right amounts of insulin versus too much (which can have dire side effects.) This patch could simplify the way a diabetic deals with their disease.
How the Smart Insulin Patch Works
Researchers from the University of North Carolina have created a thin patch, no larger than a penny, covered in more than 100 tiny little needles that are packed with insulin and glucose-sensing enzymes. This painless patch is made up of biocompatible materials, meaning the material is a synthetic or natural substance that can be used to replace or work in tandem with living tissue. The system is said to have the ability to be personalized according to the wearer’s weight and insulin sensitivity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published the study, which showed promising results in a Type 1 diabetes mouse model. Blood glucose levels in the mice treated with the patch stabilized in 30 minutes and remained that way for a number of hours.
The creators of this smart insulin patch wanted to mimic the body’s own insulin system, and it appears they have succeeded. This new breakthrough in technology could open several doors in the medical industry. It could potentially be a breakthrough in medication for various ailments. I’m very excited to see where this new technology takes us!
