MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that automatically releases glucagon to prevent dangerous hypoglycemia, offering a promising new safety net for people with diabetes.
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People with type 1 diabetes are constantly monitoring their blood sugar levels to stay within a safe range. A chronic disease, type 1 diabetes destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, preventing natural blood glucose regulation. For people with this illness, daily insulin therapy is essential.
Hypoglycemia, when blood sugar levels drop too low, can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, or even death if untreated. The standard emergency treatment is a glucagon injection. It's effective but requires swift action, and current kits are often cumbersome or underused when needed most.
While advances such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have improved hypoglycemia management, so far, no implantable device has been approved for clinical use that can deliver emergency glucagon on its own.
How The Device Works
Researchers at MIT have designed a wireless, implantable device roughly the size of a small capsule. Implanted just under the skin, it contains a reservoir of glucagon and is linked to a sensor that continuously monitors glucose levels in real time.
The reservoir is sealed by a shape-memory alloy, a material which can be programmed to change shape when heated. When the CGM detects a drop in blood sugar, it sends a wireless signal to the device. An antenna tuned to respond to a specific frequency is then wirelessly triggered to turn on a small current that heats the alloy.
This causes the device to change shape, releasing glucagon directly into the bloodstream. The device aims to act within minutes, preventing symptoms from worsening without requiring the patient to intervene.
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Tested In Diabetic Mice
Researchers tested the device in diabetic mice by implanting it subcutaneously and triggering glucagon release as the animals' blood sugar levels dropped.
In each case, the device successfully delivered glucagon and restored blood sugar to normal levels within about ten minutes. The device operated reliably over the testing period, maintaining its function and showing potential for continuous use.
Potential For Broader Use
The system's wireless design means it could easily interface with existing CGMs or other sensors for fully automated control. The researchers also demonstrated its versatility by using it to deliver epinephrine, showing it could serve as a platform for other emergency medications as well.
Such technology could not only improve safety but also reduce the anxiety many patients feel about hypoglycemia. Future research is planned to address long-term biocompatibility, durability, and further integration with monitoring systems before human trials.
Autonomous, implantable drug delivery systems like these could play an important role in managing all kinds of chronic illnesses. This approach could boost patient safety, ease fears over hypoglycemia, and help improve day-to-day control of type 1 diabetes.
Reference
Press Release. MIT News. Implantable device could save diabetes patients from dangerously low blood sugar. Accessed on 9th July 2025. https://news.mit.edu/2025/implantable-device-could-save-diabetes-patients-low-blood-sugar-0709