A mathematical model describing the glycemic response of diabetic patientsto meal and i.v. infusion of insulin

Nine type 1 diabetic patients were studied for 24 hours. During this period they were given three calibrated meals. The glycemia was feedback-controll ed by means of an artificial pancreas. The blood concentration of glucose a nd the infusion speed of the insulin were measured every minute. The experi mental data referring to each of the three meals were used to estimate the parameters of a mathematical model suitable for describing the glycemic res ponse of diabetic patients at meals and at the i.v. infusion of exogenous i nsulin. From the estimate a marked dispersion of the parameters was found, both interindividual and intraindividual. Nevertheless the models thus obta ined seem to be usable for the synthesis of a feedback controller, especial ly in view of creating a portable artificial pancreas that now seems possib le owing to the realization (so far experimental) of sufficiently reliable glucose concentration sensors.