Re: JDRF Forms Partnership W/ Animas to Develop Artificial Pancreas
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Posted by Al Gordon on 02:04:45 2010/01/18
In Reply to:
Re: JDRF Forms Partnership W/ Animas to Develop Artificial Pancreas posted by DavidL
David, thank you for comments. As a person familiar with control theory, you must know that the control algorithms that needed for a closed-loop artificial pancreas are trivial compared to the challenge of a stable, reliable, redundant, power-sipping, continuous glucose sensor. Until such a sensor exists and has demonstrated its long-term stability (in absolute terms, not just rate-of-change), then there is no need to waste a dollar developing control algorithms. Once such a sensor exists, then the control software will be up and running within weeks.
When you are using encapsulated pig islets, you have a system that is a million-fold redundant. Each islet is an independent closed-loop control system. There is no single point of failure that could cause a deadly dump of insulin, as there is with an artificial pancreas.
On top of the immense risk of such a device, there is the inconvenience, lifestyle restriction, endless fiddling, and cost. Of course, one man's cost is another man's wealth, and I suspect that is what some find so appealing about such a device over encapsulated islets.
And yes, I too appreciate Ellen's postings. But I don't agree that legitimate criticism when backed by facts is a "hateful rant". Taking over one BILLION dollars from donors and delivering no demonstrable benefit -- now that's "hateful".
Al
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