A groundbreaking implantable device could revolutionize insulin delivery for individuals with Type 1 diabetes. This presents a more convenient, less invasive, and long-term alternative compared to the traditional methods of insulin injections or transplants that necessitate immunosuppressive measures.
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A woman with diabetes monitors her glycemia in Paris on March 24, 2020, on the eighth day of a strict lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus.
Revolutionizing Insulin Delivery
A partnership between researchers at Cornell and the University of Alberta in Edmonton has devised an innovative method for addressing Type 1 diabetes. This involves the implantation of a device beneath the skin, situated within a pocket, capable of secreting insulin.
Notably, this approach bypasses the need for immunosuppression, a common hindrance in effectively managing the disease.
Known as SHEATH (Subcutaneous Host-Enabled Alginate THread), this thread-like implant undergoes a two-step installation process, ultimately leading to the deployment of "islet devices." Engadget reported that these devices are derived from cells naturally producing insulin in the human body.
In the first step, scientists have developed a technique to insert nylon catheters beneath the skin, where they remain for up to six weeks. During this period, blood vessels form around the catheters, providing structural support for the subsequent placement of islet devices once the catheter is removed.
These newly implanted 10-centimeter-long islet devices not only secrete insulin through the surrounding islet cells but also receive essential nutrients and oxygen from the blood vessels, ensuring their sustained viability.
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Professor Minglin Ma from Cornell, specializing in Biological and Environmental Engineering, introduced the initial implantable polymer called TRAFFIC (Thread-Reinforced Alginate Fiber For Islets enCapsulation) in 2017.
TRAFFIC was specifically designed to be positioned within a patient's abdomen. Building on this success, Ma's research team advanced their work in 2021, developing an even more resilient implantable device.
While SHEATH presents a significant advancement in treating Type 1 diabetes, a persistent challenge lies in its prolonged application within patients. The primary issue stems from the difficulty of maintaining the functionality of islets over an extended period within the body.
The implant obstructs blood vessels, whereas native islet cells naturally benefit from direct contact with vessels that supply essential nutrients and oxygen.
As the islet devices eventually require removal, researchers are actively exploring methods to optimize the exchange of nutrients and oxygen, particularly in large-animal models and, ultimately, in patients.
Despite this hurdle, the potential of the SHEATH implant remains promising. If successfully addressed, it could eventually replace the current standard treatments for Type 1 diabetes, which involve daily injections or the use of insulin pumps.
Making a Clinically Applicable Solution
For the past ten years, Cornell Chronical reported that Ma has dedicated his efforts to finding an improved method for managing Type 1 diabetes.
Ma emphasized the seriousness of the matter, conveying that over the years, he has received a multitude of emails and pleas from parents and patients facing the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in their children.
Recognizing the severity of this disease, which affects many children, Ma and his team are resolutely dedicated to converting their research efforts into a clinically applicable solution with the potential to create a significant and positive influence.
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