Scientists have developed a new implantable device that could change the way people with type 1 diabetes take insulin. The thread-like implant, or SHEATH (subcutaneous host-compatible alginate thread), is attached in his two-step process, ultimately leading to the deployment of an “islet device” derived from cells that naturally produce insulin in the body. .
First, scientists discovered a way to insert a nylon catheter under the skin and stay in place for up to six weeks. After insertion, blood vessels form around the catheter and provide structural support for the islet device that is placed in the space when the catheter is removed. The newly implanted 10-centimeter-long islet device secretes insulin through islet cells that form around it, while also receiving nutrients and oxygen from blood vessels to keep it alive.
This implantation technique was designed and tested by researchers at Cornell University and the University of Alberta. Minglin Ma, a professor of bioenvironmental engineering at Cornell University, created the first implantable polymer in 2017. (Thread-reinforced alginate fibers for islet encapsulation) is designed to fit into the patient’s abdomen. In 2021, Ma’s team developed even more features. This proved that blood sugar levels in mice could be controlled for six months at a time.
The current issue with SHEATH is its long-term application in patients. “It’s very difficult to keep these islands functioning in the body for long periods of time… because the device blocks blood vessels. But the body’s natural islet cells are in direct contact with the blood vessels that supply them with nutrients and oxygen. It is known that there are.” . Because islet devices will eventually need to be removed, researchers are investigating ways to maximize nutrient and oxygen exchange in large animal models and, ultimately, in patients. But the implant may one day replace the current standard treatment for his type 1 diabetes, which requires either daily injections or an insulin pump.