ARTIFICIAL ENDOCRINE PANCREAS AND OPTIMAL BLOOD-GLUCOSE REGULATION INDIABETIC-PATIENTS - FROM BEDSIDE-TYPE TO WEARABLE-TYPE

The artificial endocrine pancreas is a feedback control system regulat ing insulin delivery on a minute-by-minute basis according to the meas ured blood glucose levels. The bedside-type artificial endocrine pancr eas has been proven to be useful not only as a therapeutic tool for di abetes mellitus but also as an elegant research tool for investigating the pathophysiology of the disease. With significant advances in the development of a subcutaneous tissue glucose monitoring system, the we arable-type artificial endocrine pancreas has been applied to diabetic patients. With this system, perfect glycemic control can be obtained for longer periods in ambulatory diabetic patients. The trend in the d evelopment of the artificial endocrine pancreas is now directed to imp lantable devices. Much efforts have been conducted to realize these de vices.