-
Introduction to T1D technology
The two most essential pieces of technology for pump-wearing, type one diabetics, are the glucometer and the insulin pump. The glucometer measures the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. The insulin pump delivers pre-programmed doses of insulin subcutaneously to regulate a diabetic's blood sugar. Let's talk about where these life-saving devices came from! -
Early Stages of Insulin Injections
In France and Great Britain, researchers began using an automatic battery operated insulin injection. With these injections, the syringe would be inserted and the insulin would be delivered through the function of an integrated motor. -
The First Glucometer
The first glucometer was invented by Anton Hubert Clemens in 1971. This model of glucometer worked by reading the light that was reflected off of a test strip that was designed to produce a certain color after receiving blood from the patient. To indicate the number detected (BG) the machine would produce the number by using a swinging needle mechanism. Unfortunately, these glucometers were only available in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and doctor's offices. -
The First Insulin Pump
The first insulin pump had the same functions of the pumps we know today: to measure blood glucose levels, and to deliver the appropriate amount of insulin depending. Though the basic functions are similar, this historic pump was the size of a microwave. As you can imagine, it was far too large for diabetics to carry in their daily life, so these pumps were only used in cases of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). -
The Progression of Insulin Pumps
Through the years, the old fashioned insulin pumps were tweaked and improved by the ideas of scientists, doctors, and diabetics alike which lead to the devices we have today. For example, a system for an individually programmable basal rate was invented, though it needed to be reset every day due to the lack of technology with "memory". Dr Arnold Kadish also tweaked the microwave-sized insulin pump by creating a backpack to make it portable, though he couldn't change the weight of the machine. -
The Insulin Pumps We Know Today
The many inventions and progressions of doctors, scientists, and willing patients lead to the technology we have today. Aside from the standard pump that is battery operated, containing an insulin reservoir, pumping method through tubing, and buttons/ touch screen hand held device, there are even more progressive methods of receiving insulin via the pump. Today, diabetics can live a tube-less lifestyle by attaching a sensor to themselves and using their cell phones to scan and assess their BG. -